They knew that after tonight, their lives would never be the same.
They knew that an uncertain world awaited them, that serious decisions would overtake their carefree lives.
But that was something to worry about another day. This evening was about celebration. This was their moment to shine.
Twenty-five Creighton Community School graduates donned a cap and gown on Friday, June 20, culminating years of hard work and dedication.
“Together we have done some pretty amazing things,” said Brandon Ireland in his valedictory address, his voice filling a darkened school gymnasium.
In a heartfelt, reflective speech, Ireland told his fellow graduates that life will only get more difficult from here on in, but that’s no reason to give up on dreams.
Further encouragement came courtesy of guest speaker Jane Dupre, who made an emotional return to the school after being dismissed as principal earlier this year.
Admitting that she has been on an “emotional rollercoaster” in recent months, Dupre cautioned that life won’t be all “butterflies and balloons.”
But she urged the young men and women to lead lives of compassion and to reach out when they need help.
Dupre affectionately compared the graduates to a herd of elephants in that, like the large mammals, they look after each other.
She concluded her address with an uplifting metaphor, noting that when something stands in the way of an elephant, the mammal doesn’t walk around it – it stomps right over it.
The smiling graduates sat in three rows on a stage in front of some 350 guests, a dark green curtain adorned with Class of 2014 serving as their backdrop.
In the front row, the young women’s dresses puffed out from under their grad gowns, forming a bright rainbow of colours.
Tears mixed with laughter as a slide show on the gym wall scrolled through photos of each graduate – complete with “aww”-inspiring childhood pictures.
Linked arms
Earlier in the evening, the graduates had linked arms and strolled down Main Street for their grand march.
Beaming relatives and friends lined the adjacent sidewalks, snapping photos of the graduates looking elegant in their dark suits and stunning gowns.
Among the guests awaiting the grads’ arrival in the gym was Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette, who was heartily obliged when he called for a standing ovation for the young men and women.
An alcohol-free, carnival-themed social concluded the evening at the Creighton Community Hall.
Now the graduates will go their separate ways. Some plan to immediately enter the workforce, while others will study at university or college.
And if you ask those who have taught these students over the years, all are sure to find success in their lives.
The following bursaries and scholarships were awarded:
Hudbay Scholarship ($2,000 a year for four years): Kyla Phillips
Fred and Pearl Shwaga Scholarship ($2,000 each): Samantha Turpin; Kyle Lagore
Town of Creighton Bursary ($1,000): Alexandre Mousseau
Creighton School Division Scholarships ($1,000 each): Mikayla Pietsch; Kyla Phillips
Creighton Community School Academic Bursary ($1,000 each): Kyla Phillips; Samantha Turpin
Creighton Community School Athletic Bursary ($1,000): Kaitlin Grant
Creighton Community School First Nations Bursary ($1,000): Daniel Ratt
Creighton Community School Bev McCrimmon Citizenship Bursary ($1,000): Mikayla Pietsch
Creighton Community School Arts Bursary ($1,000): Kyla Phillips
Creighton Community School Trades and Technology Bursary ($1,000): Alexandre Mousseau
Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship Scholarship ($1,000): Alexandre Mousseau
Catholic Women’s League St. Ann’s Council Bursary ($750): Ebony Blouin
USW Local 7106 Bob Imrie Memorial Scholarship ($750): Justin Donaghy
North of 53 Consumers Co-op Bursary ($750): Brandon Ireland
Creighton Furniture and Appliance Centre Bursary ($750): Ebony Blouin
North Star Rebekah Lodge and Independent Order of Odd Fellows Bursary ($500): Nikki Madarash
CADAC Centre Bursary ($500): Justin Donaghy
Creighton Volunteer Fire Department Bursary ($500 each): Mikayla Pietsch, Tanner Suski
Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 73 Bursary ($500): Brie Phillips
Flin Flon Health Auxiliary Bursary ($500): Justin Donaghy
Legion Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship ($500): Kyla Phillips
Kinette Bursary ($500): Brie Phillips
Rotary Club King George VI Bursary ($450): Justin Donaghy
Creighton Community School Staff Bursary ($400): Ian Ferguson
Friendship Centre Art Wahlenberg Memorial Bursary ($350): Brie Phillips
USW Local 7975 Bursary ($350): Alexandre Mousseau
Flin Flon Motorcyclists Association Bursary ($350): Alexandre Mousseau
Northern Village of Denare Beach Bursary ($300 each): Samantha Turpin; Kyle Lagore
Tri Service Bursary ($300 each): Ebony Blouin; Mikayla Pietsch
Copperbelt Hotel Bursary ($250): Olivia Gieg
Rotary Club Harry Yee Scholarship ($250): Kyla Phillips
Northern Health Region Bursary ($250): Kyla Phillips
Community School Bursary ($200 each): Samantha Turpin; Justin Donaghy
Denare Beach Community Trust ($125 each): Kyle Lagore; Samantha Turpin
Honour Roll (80 per cent or higher): Mason Antoniuk; Justin Donaghy; Ian Ferguson; Olivia Gieg; Kaitlin Kirk; Kyle Lagore; Nikki Madarash; Brie Phillips; Kyla Phillips; Mikayla Pietsch; Ashley Ross; Samantha Turpin
Honour Roll (90 per cent or higher): Kyla Phillips; Samantha Turpin
Saskatchewan Ministry of Education General Proficiency Award (highest academic average among graduates): Samantha Turpin
Perfect Attendance Award: Samantha Turpin
Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship Certification: Ian Ferguson; Brandon Ireland; Tyson Schanowski; Alexandre Mousseau
