INVERMAY- “Behind you are all your memories... before you are all your dreams.”
This was the theme chosen for the 2023 Invermay School Graduation on June 29 by the five graduates: Hallie Pozniak, David Keller, Nathaniel Minhinnick, Jesse Grychowski and Kayla Dubas.
Awards and scholarships
In the awards portion of the program, Kayla Dubas was the winner of: the Invermay School Community Council Award, the Gr. 12 Academic Award, Mathematics Award, Sciences Award, Canadian Studies Award, Academic Medallion, Invermay Agricultural Society Award, Good Spirit School Division Scholarship, Scholarship in Memory of Madam Loh Guah Hong, Village of Invermay Scholarship, Clearview Agro Scholarship, and the Rama Co-op Scholarship.
Hallie Pozniak received the RM of Invermay Award, the Yearbook Award, Cross Age Tutor certificate, Red Cross Recognition, English Award, Academic Medallion, Gr. 12 Proficiency Award, Wadena Co-op Association Ltd. Award, Invermay School Staff Scholarship, Scholarship in Memory of Madam Loh Guah Hong, Aspen Paramedic Services Scholarship, and the Crossroads Credit Union Scholarship
The Leson’s Funeral Home Award went to Nathaniel Minhinnick, who also received an Academic Medallion, and the Practical and Applied Arts Award.
David Keller was the winner of the Invermay School Art Award.
Krawetz: grads give hope for future
The guest speaker chosen by the graduates for their special day was Ken Krawetz, a man who is well known in Invermay and the surrounding area for his many accomplishments, including his years as Canora-Pelly MLA.
Krawetz thanked the graduates for asking him to serve as their guest speaker, adding “I can say with great sincerity that being invited to speak in my hometown and at the very school from which I graduated, way back in 1969, is a tremendous honour.”
“Living in a small community, means that I have had the good fortune to watch these graduates grow up and to get to know them a bit as they’ve done so,” said Krawetz. “Let’s be honest, at my age, I’ve watched some of their parents grow up.
“I am familiar with these grads for several reasons. I know some of them because they work at local businesses. I have watched others play hockey or Ukrainian dance. I have seen them act as instructors, or as volunteers at community events.
“Some serve as care givers for younger siblings while others lend a hand on the family farm. They are role models in their school. But most importantly, they are cherished by family members and friends as evidenced by those gathered here tonight to celebrate their accomplishments.
“When I hear folks complain about today’s youth, I can’t help but think that they haven’t spent much time around young people and especially these young folks. Because if they had they would soon realize that assembled on this stage tonight, is a multitude of talents and abilities.
When I look at this class, I see resilience, determination, and so much potential.”
Krawetz made it clear that getting to know these graduates gives him hope for the future.
“A few weeks ago, I arranged a meeting with this group so I could get to know them even better,” said Krawetz. “I also wanted to get a sense of what future plans they were contemplating or had already set in motion. I learned that some are looking to go into the work force, eager to earn some cash to put towards long-term goals. Some are planning to attend post-secondary institutions to gain more education or training in order to enter a particular occupation. Some were still deciding on the next step to be taken. But what impressed me most about this group was they were respectful, polite, and quite sincere in their responses. Those are qualities which will serve them well as they venture forth.”
Krawetz shared some wisdom he has acquired “in my 70-plus years. I have learned a thing or two about dealing with people, about serving your community, and about fulfilling your own goals.
“So, where does one start? My first bit of advice: take inventory of your strengths and abilities. What is it that you like to do? Maybe I'd better clarify, what is it that you like to do that will earn you a living? What would be a deal breaker for you?
“I could go on at length with many more questions of this nature, but I think you get the idea. Take inventory of your likes and dislikes, your talents, your skills, and your abilities. But no matter how many questions you ask yourself, self-assessment can be tough.
“Sometimes we need an outside observer to point out our strengths and weaknesses. Now don't let anyone put you down, but feedback from a respected and trustworthy source should never be discounted.
“Sometimes we learn what we aren’t very good at doing, and that can be very valuable knowledge. It can save us time and effort pursuing a path that probably isn’t right for us. Be open to advice and feedback. And if you do decide on a particular career path and then discover that it’s not a good fit, or maybe you just want to try something different...that’s OK.”
“According to U.S. statistics (and I would imagine Canada is similar), the average person will change careers five to seven times in their working lives. You might think these are people who can’t hold a job. But statistics also tell us that successful people will change jobs every three to five years. Changing your mind is not failure. Failure is staying with something you hate doing because you are afraid to move on. Failure is avoiding a challenge because it makes you feel uncomfortable. Show me a person who has never failed, and I will show you a person who has never attempted something different.”
Krawetz admitted that people often find it difficult to move from a familiar job to something brand new.
“And they would be right. It isn’t easy. Nothing worth achieving is easy. But that’s what makes it so rewarding. Wayne Gretzky said, ‘You miss 100 per cent of the shots you never take.’ It’s good advice which applies not only to hockey but to life in general.”
He went on to share some thoughts about “how you choose to live your life. I am a strong believer in community involvement. It doesn’t matter at what level. It can be in your workplace, your school, your local community, your province, or your country. It might be a cause that is near and dear to your heart. Get involved. Don’t be that person who complains or criticizes what others are doing, yet never volunteers, never provides a helping hand to make improvements. If you are not prepared to get involved, then you have no right to criticize or judge. I know that you have already demonstrated your commitment to volunteerism in your school and your community. Keep up the good work.
“This leads directly to my next point,” said Krawetz. “Be generous. Be generous with your time, your skills, and your resources. Believe me, your generosity will come back to you tenfold. You will be repaid, often in the most unexpected ways but also at the most opportune times.”
“Be grateful for all your blessings. There will be ups and downs in your life. The unexpected will happen and no amount of preparation will prevent it. But how you decide to respond is what matters most and will make a world of difference for moving ahead.”
Krawetz pulled out his cell phone, and admitted that this piece of technology made our lives much easier to navigate, but “there will always be a need for personal contact. Look at people when you are talking to them or, more importantly, when they are talking to you. Remember earlier when I said people will always remember how you made them feel? Well, if you are constantly looking at your phone, then I can assure you, they won't be feeling very positive about you.”
“We have become the most well-informed and misinformed society at the same time. Learn to separate truth from fiction. Think for yourself.”
His final piece of advice was “something close to my heart. Remember where you come from. Be proud of your background. Your roots, your culture, your traditions, your family, your small school – these have all contributed to who you are today and what path you will take moving forward.
“Embrace what makes you distinctly you, and never be made to feel that somehow you are less than someone else because of your heritage or where you’ve come from,” said Krawetz.
“My wish for each of you is that you enjoy much happiness in life. If you are happy, then you have been successful.”
