“Through adversity comes growth.”
This timely message will be delivered to Lindsay Thurber’s Comprehensive High School’s Class of 2020 this month by valedictorian Mara Jenkins in the most unusual graduation celebration in the school’s history.
Instead of crossing a stage to receive their diplomas and handshakes, 400 Grade 12 students will participate in a vehicle parade by their school on May 29, passing cheering parents, teachers and administrators.
Instead of gathering for a celebratory dinner and dance, students will receive a videotaped message from Jenkins and school officials.
Digital vignettes will be included of class time cut short by a pandemic that suddenly made everyone a stay-at-home student in March.
Jenkins is philosophical about this unprecedented situation. She noted it won’t be the first time life doesn’t unfold as planned, saying, “This will definitely affect people for a long time, but I believe that being persistent and resilient is the answer to any problem.”
As one chapter closes, there will be other dilemmas to face, added the student, who knows many of her peers are concerned about their future.
“There won’t be as many jobs out there” — which is another stressor.
But Jenkins wants to spread a message “about optimism and perseverance,” since a positive mindset is helpful to finding solutions, she said.
The honours student plans to study bio-medical engineering at Waterloo University in Ontario this fall.
Jenkins was told all large university classes will be held online, but labs and tutorials will still be held in person at the school.
She hasn’t heard yet whether dormitories will be open, or if she will have to line up an apartment and some roommates. Luckily, Jenkins has good friends who are also going to Waterloo.
When reflecting on her interrupted last year of high school, it’s time spent with friends while doing extra-curricular activities — such as the running club and the school musical — that are most memorable to Jenkins.
“So much has happened,” she added, that it would be myopic to solely focus on the past three months, without considering the past three and a half years of regular school life.
She looks forward to gathering with her friends at a delayed graduation celebration being planned for the Christmas break, when most university and college students will be back with their families in Red Deer.
Unless viral cases flare up again, the Class of 2020 will get to wear their formal attire and celebrate their achievements in a face-to-face way in the last few days of the year.
Outgoing Lindsay Thurber principal Dan Lower confirmed that plans are underway this month to make the upcoming graduation season special. He wants to keep some of them under his hat as a surprise for students.
Caps and gowns can be signed out starting next week for private grad photo shoots, said Lower. As 50 caps and gowns are available, returned ones will be laundered before being signed out to other students.
He expects school yearbooks will still be available for pick up this fall.
It’s been an extraordinary year, added the principal, who commends this year’s grads for weathering the challenges they have had to face.
“They are great kids… and hopefully, we have prepared them for dealing with some adversity.”
Other schools are making their own plans for an alternative grad celebration.
In the Red Deer Catholic school district, St. Joseph and Notre Dame high schools are postponing grad ceremonies until Sept. 12, in the hope that health regulations will allow larger gatherings by then.
During the week of June 22 to 26, the students will be offered special online activities, concluding with a virtual awards ceremony.
Students will receive a package that includes their grad cap and they will be able to sign out grad gowns for family pictures.
lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com
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