Tears and laughs flowed freely Wednesday evening as Many Faces Education Centre graduates entered the next chapter of their lives.
A dozen grads proudly donned a cap and gown, surrounded by some 100 family members and friends at a crammed St. Ann’s Hall.
“Live for the moments that make you smile, even if they only last for a little while,” valedictorian Jon Vancoughnett said in his often-rhyming address.
In a brief but uplifting speech, Vancoughnett reminded his fellow graduates that while life is never easy, it should be lived to the fullest.
“Seize every moment that you can,” he said from the podium.
Guest speaker Clarence Pettersen, Flin Flon MLA and former Many Faces teacher, offered his own words of encouragement.
He spoke of his personal heroes, such as Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, and told the grads that they surely have their own heroes.
“I hope you’re including your own selves in that category,” said Pettersen.
Sprinkling his energetic speech with light humour, Pettersen said life is about choices and that graduates have made the right ones to arrive at their achievement.
“Be proud of who you are,” he said. “You’re a Many Faces grad, class of 2014, so you are my heroes.”
Reflecting the close-knit nature of Many Faces, Wednesday’s ceremony featured brief, sometimes-humourous biographies of each graduate, delivered by staff members who were closest to them.
Dressed in black gowns with teal sashes, the graduates smiled as they sat on a small stage overlooking the audience.
Behind them a white, light-entrenched curtain illuminated, perhaps symbolic of the bright futures that await them.
Aside from the parents, spouses, children and friends in attendance were dignitaries such as Flin Flon School Division Superintendent Blaine Veitch and Trustee Murray Skeavington, school board chair.
Blue and white paper lanterns hung from the ceiling as the guests applauded the grads on their special night.
Six students – Rachelle Waly, Jon Vancoughnett, Natasha Synott, Kaitlyn Strom, Cody Mason and Tiffani Chief – were named to the honour roll with averages of at least 80 per cent.
Scholarships
Awards, scholarships and bursaries were also presented:
Governor General’s Bronze Medal (highest average among four-year program graduates): Monique Wall
University College of the North Scholarship (tuition for one year): Natasha Synott
Flin Flon School Division Scholarship ($1,000): Cody Mason
Tri-Service Volunteerism Scholarship ($600): Monique Wall
USW Local 7106 Scholarship ($500): Neil Cook
Women’s Resource Centre Scholarship ($500): Randine Highway
Flin Flon Kinette Club Bursary ($500): Monique Wall
Art Wahlenberg Memorial Bursary ($350): Randine Highway
Flin Flon Motorcyclists Association Bursary ($350): Jon Vancoughnett
Many Faces Alumni Scholarships ($300 each): Cody Mason; Rachelle Waly; Kaitlyn Strom; Jon Vancoughnett
MLA’s Award ($250): Monique Wall
Hapnot Collegiate’s graduation was scheduled to take place last night at the Whitney Forum. The Reminder will have full coverage Monday.
Also, watch for our Grad Editions next week.
