Many Faces Education Centre is known for bringing a personal touch to learning.
The alternative high school showcased that same atmosphere as it celebrated the eight members of its Class of 2015 on Monday, June 29.
“Life experiences build upon each other,” Judy Lambert, one of the graduates, told fellow graduates and guests at Rocky View BnB in Denare Beach. “Mistakes sometimes take you to the greatest success.”
In keeping with the unique nature of Many Faces, Lambert and fellow grad Kieran McKenna delivered not a valedictory address, but what they called “class comments.”
Serving as guest speaker was Tim Spencer, coordinator of the Telehealth distance health care program at the Flin Flon General Hospital and the father of one of the graduates.
He told the grads that he likely would have enrolled at Many Faces had that been an option when he was a high school student in Flin Flon four decades ago.
Eloquent and gracious, Spencer offered gentle words of advice.
“Every student is unique,” he said. “That’s not to say you’re special, just unique. And so you might find that sometimes your path is not exactly clear, and that’s okay. Don’t panic. You have some time, but take that time and do something with it. If you don’t know what direction to go in, do something.”
Monday’s ceremony featured upbeat, sometimes-humourous biographies of each graduate, delivered by staff members who are closest to them.
Dressed in black gowns with teal sashes, the graduates smiled as they sat along the side of the Rocky View dining area with about 50 guests on hand.
Aside from the parents, spouses, children and friends, in attendance were dignitaries such as Flin Flon School Division Superintendent Blaine Veitch and Trustee Trish Sattelberger, school board chairwoman.
Two students, Donna Webber and Sabrina Clarke, were named to the honour roll with averages of at least 80 per cent.
One of the more interesting side stories of the evening was that of Lambert and teacher Maureen Reagan.
Reagan told the crowd how she taught Lambert in kindergarten 32 years ago, when they both lived in Moose Lake. That was also Reagan’s first year as a teacher.
Lambert later remarked how Reagan was both her first teacher in public school and her last, though Lambert hopes to further her education now that she has her Grade 12.
(Note: The Reminder’s Many Faces graduation edition will appear this Monday, July 6).
Bursaries and honours
Flin Flon School Division Bursary ($1,000): Sabrina Clarke
UCN Bursary (one year of tuition): Sabrina Clarke
Tri-Service Volunteerism Bursary ($600): Callum Spencer
Flin Flon Health Auxiliary Betty Johnson Memorial Bursary ($500): Judy Lambert
Women’s Resource Centre Bursary ($500): Judy Lambert
Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre Art Wahlenberg Memorial Bursary ($350): Clifford Packo
Flin Flon Motorcyclist’s Association Bursary ($350): Andrew Olson
Many Faces Alumni Bursaries ($300 each): Stephen Wright, Clifford Packo and Kieran McKenna
Clarence Pettersen MLA Bursary ($250): Steven Wright
Honour roll: Donna Webber and Sabrina Clarke
