SD70 officials, teachers and guests gathered at Alberni Athletic Hall June 19 to witness the graduation ceremony of 44 students who completed the VAST or Choices DL Alternative Education Programs in 2014.
Alternative education programs like VAST and Choices DL are designed to help those who are challenged, for whatever reason, by traditional education programs. They usually offer flexible hours and programs and services designed to help the students achieve success in completing high school.
District Principal Peter Klaver thanked the crowd for attending to celebrate the milestone with the graduates.
Please see some of our photos from this event at the bottom of this report. More in the July issue of Ha-Shilth-Sa.
The graduates entered the ceremony in a procession led by an RCMP officer dressed in red serge.
Once seated, Hesquiaht elder Joe Tom asked families to stand and honour their graduates.
“Today is so special seeing you all take the initiative to go to school; thank you for having the wisdom to move forward with your education,” he told them, adding that what he said means something coming from someone who is a former residential school student.
Tom said a Nuu-chah-nulth a prayer before School Board Chair Larry Ransom offered his congratulations to the class of 2014. “You set goals and achieved them and we congratulate you for that on behalf of the School Board,” he told them.
“We are proud of you and remind you to take pride in your own success; congratulations on a job well-done,” Ransom said.
Wendy Gallic of Tseshaht spoke of her late father who always encouraged her to follow her heart to succeed. “It is good to have cheerleaders in your corner,” she said. “You really need to believe in yourself because if you do you can achieve anything,” she added.
Susan Lauder of Hupacasath said they were very happy to be there to celebrate with the graduates. “Take the tools you’ve earned and move forward them,” she advised.
Hupacasath then performed a dance in celebration as they offered their congratulations.
SD70 Superintendent Cam Pinkerton thanked the graduates of the 2014 Alternative Education Program. “You have shown that you have lots of tenacity and resilience. You’ve reached a stepping stone in your life and have overcome obstacles and now you are now prepared to move on to the next stage of your life,” he said.
Pinkerton acknowledged those that helped the graduates finish their programs. “Thank you to the parents, staff, and the community,” he said.
The graduates were called up one-by-one to receive their diplomas followed by the presentation special awards including bursaries and scholarship awards.
The 2014 theme for the Alternatives Program Graduation was ‘don’t stop believing’.
The 2014 Alternative Programs graduates are: Laura Aird, Jessica Biekx, Zachery Castellarin, Makenna Cyr, Lyne Demers, Arthur Edgar, Samantha Edgar, Quinn Emmonds, Greg Eyford, Clint Felix, Dawn Fred, Edward Fred, Renee Fred, Linda Freitas-Dobie, Megan Horvath, Jos-Lyn Jackson, Morgan Joe, Isiah John, Vaneshia Jordan, Dustin Lacharity, John Loudon, Miranda Mack, Cassidy McHale, Chelsey McIntosh, Darrin McKenzie, Josey McKernan, Joanne McMillan, Ashley Mickey, Alex Oakes, Jordan Power, Savannah Ramalho, Corey Rasaned, Christine Schmitz, RobynShaw, Brenden Taylor, Tammy Taylor, Janine Thompson, Matthew Touchie, Pierre Tylee, Kawliga Watts, Tyler Williams, Joseph Wilson, Cory Windover.
