Last Saturday, June 2, 27 Drumheller students took a step forward, leaving behind their high school to pursue their dreams.
St. Anthony’s School held their Graduation and Commencement on Saturday, June 2 with family, friends, and well-wishers. Special guests included the Honourable Kevin Sorenson, MP for Battle River-Crowfoot, the Honourable Rick Strankman, Drumheller Stettler MLA, Drumheller Mayor Heather Colberg, Christ the Redeemer School Division Trustee Mark Chung and Christ the Redeemer School Division Associate Superintendent Vincent Behm. They brought congratulatory messages.
“You have learned so much in this building and now, especially now, as you leave the familiarity of your school and your homes, think deeply about what your parents and your teachers have taught you, reflect on your faith and let it guide your actions and interactions that are just around the corner,” said Behm.
Tanner Kelemen-Tkachuk was the salutatorian delivering thanks to the teacher and parents before the High School Diplomas and gifts from special guests, were presented.
Awards and scholarships were then presented. Many local individuals and businesses have sponsored awards for the graduates.
In a St, Anthony’s tradition, each graduate delivered a letter to their parents, as well as a rose.
Brigo Castillo was the Valedictorian, he received the Excellence in Education Award and the Governor General’s Award.
He delivered a stirring address.
“I understand that statements like ‘we are the leaders of tomorrow’ are clichés, but it is not deniable that they contain truth within them. To become effective adults in a society in which we aspire to integrate into, we must push for changes to correct any wrongdoing or injustices that contemporarily can be effectively dealt with. We must become leaders to embrace and inspire change,” he said.
“As a fellow graduate, I cannot foresee the uncertainty that lies in our immediate and distant future. However uncertainty is another word for opportunity and I implore not only the members of our class of 2018, but everyone in this gymnasium, to seize each opportunity to better ourselves and others and to live in greatness without fear.”
