Last Saturday, PHS graduates got to do something they haven’t done in two years: celebrate graduation inside.
The excitement was palpable as students and parents packed in a socially distanced manner, to the PHS gymnasium. Students sat with their parents in small family bubbles.
Acknowledging the return to somewhat normal, Principal . . .
Debra Stephens said “It is my honour to be with you on this special occasion. Back in the gym, again, where we should be, how wonderful.”
The platform party included several special guests. Western Quebec School Board Director General, Greg Graham and the Commissioner of the Western Quebec School Board, Mike Dubeau
Graham told the crowd the school board is excited to see them become leaders in the community and elsewhere.
“On behalf of the community, as Pontiacers, as English Quebecers, as Canadians. Welcome to the community. We are very glad to have you join us. Now back to work.”
Dubeau also spoke.
“Although many of our traditional graduation ceremonies and celebrations have had to be adapted to meet the current reality. Many things have not changed and certainly, your success has not been diminished by this global pandemic. Quite the opposite. Your accomplishments are even more impressive due to the many challenges you have to overcome.”
It then came time for Stephens to speak.
“Well folks, you did it,” she said.
“What a year last year was. Your entire senior of high school was during a global pandemic. You name it, you weren’t allowed to do it,” she said.
Stephens pointed out that even with so many obstacles, she never heard a complaint about a new restriction or sanitation protocol.
All she ever heard, she said was “‘It’s okay, we understand’ or ‘Miss, it will be okay.’”
“Your spirit of optimism, and perseverance despite impossible challenges, and an attitude of just do it, were completely remarkable,” she added.
After speeches honouring grads the school got to the business of handing out diplomas. Stephens acknowledged there wouldn’t be any handshakes, but “Some of the grads are talking about elbow bumps or foot bumps and we can certainly do that sort of thing. Just keep in mind, I’m not very coordinated,” she said garnering a laugh from the crowd.
Cadence Beck was the valedictorian and top of her class. Opening her speech she said she wasn’t the most poetic, but more anaylyical. In that regard she looked up the definition of valedictorian speech. Wikipedia states, according to her, that a valedictory speech is about bidding final farewells to classmates and the school as they move on to the next phases of their lives.
“Because this is the Pontiac, we get an exception,” she said. “This place seems to keep people together, even when they don’t live here anymore. As a result, I don’t think this has to be a good-bye, more like see you around.”
The grads grew up from kids who had no clue what life after high school would consist of, to young adults that are prepared for the new challenges post secondary life contains.
Acknowledging principal Stephen’s leadership during the pandemic, Beck said, “You are a superwoman. Your determination and strength to this pandemic are truly inspiring.”
Beck went onto say that many of those assembled would be back to vist and maybe bring the children to the school one day.
“With that being said, Pontiac High, class of 2021, I’ll see you around,” Beck said.
by Jorge Maria
Shawville Nov. 6, 2021
