ST. PAUL - The stage was filled with over 100 St. Paul Regional High School graduates on June 28, as the achievements of those graduates were celebrated during an afternoon convocation ceremony.
The ceremony began with the presentation of the Key of Success. Last year's recipient and 2024 graduate Neemat Abdulsalam presented the Key of Success to Mercedes Trefenanko, who belongs to the class of 2025. Trefenanko then took over the emcee duties for the afternoon.
Speaking first to the graduates, St. Paul Education superintendent Peter Barron acknowledged that it was "a very special day," and added, "Your success is also our success."
Speaking to the chosen theme of "Starry Night," Barron acknowledged the sense of wonder than exists as graduates complete high school and the infinite possibilities that exist. He noted that individually, each graduate shines and creates a collecting light.
"All are essential to the beauty of the night."
He also told graduates to remember that sometimes the night is vast and at times daunting, but their light will break through even the darkest times.
St. Paul Education board trustee Dwight Wiebe also addressed the graduates. He noted that while many things have changed over the years, being resilient and determined remain important attributions. He spoke to the graduates' uniqueness and will bring their own character into the world.
Debra Cardinal, superintendent with Saddle Lake Education also offered encouragement to the graduates. She noted that Saddle Lake Cree Nation is seeing an increase in the number of graduates coming from the community in several schools across the region, which she is proud of.
Cardinal told graduate that this would be a good time to listen to the advice of Elders, parents and other people in their lives. She also encouraged graduates to "love, care and cherish each other."
Graduate Grace Burton offered a thank-you to the parents and guardians, acknowledging the important part they played in helping graduates achieve their high school diplomas.
"It is our turn to show you what we can do," said Burton.
Heather Nickel gave a response to Burton's thank-you, and offered five things parents and guardians want graduates to know. The first was, "We love you." The second was to find their "village." The third was to remember to call home. The fourth was to make smart choices, even though "smart choices are not always easy." And the last was to "use your powers for good," and "listen more than you speak."
Valedictorian Peyton deMoissac then addressed her peers, thanking everyone who played a role in their high school experience - both on and off the stage. She described the graduating class of 2024 as an example of chaos theory, which is the study of seemingly unpredictable events to predict patterns.
Speaking to what she personally learned from this year's graduating class, deMoissac said that she learned to stress a little less, look through a positive lens, and encouraged her fellow classmates to live in the moment, rather than living in the future.
After handing out the graduation portfolios, graduate Rose Enriquez offered a special thank-you to the staff, and teacher Haley Ozga provided an emotional response, noting the graduating class was the first class she taught when she started her teaching career at the school.
Principal Mark Tichkowsky then offered a few words to the class, noting they were a special group and among the graduates were a group of football players who helped the school achieve its first-ever provincial football championship. He described the class as being one that was full of individuals who are destined to light up the world.