Graduates of 2013: take opportunities, be open minded, have fun

Times Contributor    

 

Standard School students, their families and friends and soon to be former teachers celebrated the end of 13 years of school on May 24. After a fantastic banquet the students and teachers gave tributes to each other and to their siblings and parents. Ms. Ellis gave a wonderful story that incorporated her students and the characters that she had seen grow in them over the years. Mr. Ed Yu followed with his now much awaited for song that he prepares dedicated to the students graduating in that particular year.

Guest speaker for the evening, Calgary Stampede Princess and former graduate of Standard School, Dani Gariepy, challenged the graduates to “remember where you come from and be proud of that”. She recalled jokingly about her adventures in travelling with the Stampede that “the best part about growing up and perhaps, moving away, going to university or travelling … is that you will always win the “my town was the smallest competition.” Her final comments were poignant in that she challenged the graduates to: take opportunities, be open minded, be light hearted, work hard, take advantage of home cooked meals, tell your parents you love them, and have fun.

Students from the graduating class of 2013 represented the communities of Gleichen, Hussar, Rockyford, Rosebud, and of course Standard.