??
Friday, June 3 marked another life changing occasion in the history of Logan Lake with the 28th Graduation Ceremony taking place at LLSS.
Many young people don’t recognize how an event such as this impacts the community as a whole but you only had to be in the gym filled with adoring parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends, to realize that the lives of 20 grads influence a wider world.
Mrs. Youd served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies which began with Ms. Mochikas leading the platform guests on stage, while Mr. Clark led LLSS staff and Award presenters into the room. Then, best of all, were the grads who entered the room to cheers, smiles, happy tears and flashing cameras. Then, with everyone in place, Becky Taylor came onstage to lead classmates and members of the audience in the singing of O Canada.
After Mrs. Youd’s opening remarks she turned over the microphone to the evening’s special guests who included: John Churchly, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, S.D.#73, Mr. Harry Lali, MLA, Ken Christian, Board of Trustees, S.D.#73, and Acting Mayor, Mrs. Robin Smith. Our new M.P., Dan Albas, was invited to attend but, due to other commitments was unable to be in Logan Lake.
Mr. Christian used this community event to present Mrs. Youd with an original watercolor of McQueen Lake to mark her 30 year teaching career.
A very welcome guest for the evening was Ms. Beth Dye who returned to Logan Lake to offer the Commencement Address.
Next came the presentation of a variety of scholarships and bursaries on behalf of businesses and organizations from both Logan Lake and Kamloops which, for me, is always inspiring and speaks to the quality of local students. Ali Danchuk, Becky Taylor and Kayleen Williston received the majority of awards while the men in the class were represented by Justin Hardy and Jessie Peck who each won awards. The special Governor General’s Award was presented by Ms. Mochikas to Lukas Fleming of the class of 2010.
Valedictorians, Courtney Gullickson and Kayleen Williston, offered a touching and heart-felt presentation to their classmates followed by Kayleen’s video which provided a combination of humor and emotion in honoring each of the grads.
Following the video and in keeping with an established tradition, grads came into the audience to give moms a rose and a grad pin to dads to mark the occasion.
And, then it was time for Ms. Mochikas, as Principal of both LLES and LLSS, to give her first graduation address in which she offered 3 challenges which included: Ownership of actions, decisions and mistakes and that by taking responsibility, students will grow, Set Personal Goals and work hard to achieve success and last, but certainly not least, Serve Others by giving back through volunteerism and, ultimately, making a difference in the lives of others.
The evening came to an enthusiastic conclusion with the tossing of caps, the release of balloons and grads returning to family and friends while others in the audience maneuvered their way to the refreshment table to enjoy the treats prepared by Grade 11 students and parents.
A huge vote of thanks needs to go out to everyone who worked so hard to make the ceremony a success: grads, parents, teachers and support staff. You did yourselves proud!
