West Country Outreach School Graduating class held their graduation and awards night at the Peter Lougheed Community Centre on May 24.
It was a gala affair and the grads and award winners shared their successes with special guest speakers, teachers, family and friends.
MLA Jason Nixon congratulated the students and gave credit to parents and teachers for helping them along the way.
“We’re expecting great things from you,” he said. “Enjoy your future and have a great, great evening.”
Mayor Rick Pankiw said the grads had picked a fitting theme.
“It really is your time to shine.”
Wolf Creek School superintendent Jayson Lovell said this is the 27th Wolf Creek high school grad he has attended.
For help with his speech he said he turned to his 10-year old daughter for advice.
She said to tell the grads to focus on the positive, never say never, begin with end in mind, don’t avoid the things they think they can’t do, stay strong and believe in themselves and winning doesn’t always mean taking first place.
“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think,” Lovell said.
Trudy Bratland, Wolf Creek board of education member also spoke at the ceremonies.
“The diploma that you receive tonight may be the difference between an open or closed door in your futures because it represents your work ethic and ability to achieve this major accomplishment that is mandated by Alberta Education and most employers and educational institutions. It will serve you well in the coming years and is cause for celebration by you, your families, our community and the entire school division.”
Bratland said almost 25 per cent of the Grade 12 students in Alberta will not receive a diploma this year.
Bratland’s advice to the students included the following:
*Dress for the job you want, not the job you have
•Always keep learning, it keeps your brain sharp
*Treat others the way that you want to be treated
*Pay your bills on time — be wary of credit cards
*First impressions are hard to overcome
*Honesty is the best policy and
*Always wear clean underwear in case you get into an accident
Principal Alva Holliday and teacher David Robertson presented each of the students with special plaques with unique sayings that pertained to each of them individually. Students were then given a flower which they passed on to the person who had helped them the most throughout the year with their studies.
