One hundred and fifty-three young adults endured sweltering heat inside the C.A. Nesbitt Arena on Wednesday, June 27 in order to receive their high school diplomas and officially graduate from R.D. Parker Collegiate.
Despite the less than ideal ventilation, the graduating class of 2018 received an even warmer reception from their teachers, family and friends, who filled the arena with the sound of cheers, laughter and, in some cases, air horns.
Outside of handing out diplomas and recognizing academic achievement, the ceremony was punctuated by a series of prepared speeches that hit on different ideas to keep in mind now that these students have finally achieved this milestone.
Don Macdonald, chairperson for the School District of Mystery Lake’s board of trustees, talked about the graduates’ responsibility to give back to society as a whole, since this community has invested around $40 million to help them get to this point.
Special guest Robyn Shlachetka opted to focus on their potential to overcome great obstacles in the future, talking about her own experience becoming one of the first female Indigenous medevac pilots in the province’s history.
“My journey began with a teacher who told me that girls can’t be pilots and a dad who told me I can,” said captain Shlachetka, who graduated from RDPC 15 years ago.
“When I was struggling in flight school, trying to find my place, I confronted my dad with the fact that I never met another female Indigenous pilot. I had no role models, no-one to confide in or lean on, anyone who was like me. He looked at me and said ‘if you can’t find a role model, become one.’”
Meanwhile, RDPC principal Rob Fisher mentioned how it’s important for these students to embrace every moment of their high school experience, even the ones that didn’t go according to plan. To illustrate his point, Fisher referenced their June 25 grad parade, which was unexpectedly hit by strong winds and torrential rain.
“That challenging experience earlier this week, like many others you have collectively shared throughout the past four years with your teachers, with your classmates, brings [you] together and creates a unique bond.”
Finally, class valedictorian Rishabh Palta wrapped up this section of the ceremony by taking to the stage, snapping a group selfie with the class and wishing his peers success in whatever field they choose to pursue, whether that be in academia, the trades, the military or even professional athletics.
“So graduates, dream new dreams, set goals and push boundaries to do whatever it takes to make this world a better place,” he said. “Always remember where you came from and always remember where you are going. But most importantly, always remember us, the graduating class of 2018.”
