Editor's note: We are proud to present our salute to the Class of 2024 at the Midale Central School. We congratulate the grads on this important milestone, and we wish them all of the best in the future. Also, thanks to the sponsors who supported this initiative.
MIDALE - Students at the Midale Central School had their chance to celebrate during the school's graduation ceremony on June 14.
The event started with a banquet supper at the town's curling rink. Once the banquet was finished, the attention shifted to the main ceremony at the school. A social that was open to the public followed the event.
Eleven students, which is larger than normal, were part of this year's graduating class.
The ceremony included introductions, stories about the grads and awards. Principal Cathy Harvey delivered her address, a slideshow played and there were toasts to the community that has supported the grads. A grand march also took place.
"We have a lot of very talented Grade 12 students. They're really going to be missed next year," said Harvey.
Amelia Loewen was this year's valedictorian with an average of 96 per cent.
"She was one of many students in this grad class with averages that [were] high," said Harvey. "There were lots of scholarships going out."
Most of the kids have attended Midale Central School since kindergarten. They know each other well, they have always been together, and will be pursuing post-secondary education through a trade school or university.
"We have kids through our career work program that have been successful and are just doing apprenticeships. They're going right into the workforce and their schooling is paid for. This group is a really exceptional group."
Harvey is the parent of a grad and said she would have participated in the ceremony regardless of sanctions from the Saskatchewan Teacher's Federation. The STF announced Friday afternoon that it had accepted binding arbitration in its ongoing labour dispute with the provincial government-trustee bargaining committee.
The sanctions were lifted at 4 p.m., but the school decided to proceed with a parent-run grad, since the festivities started at 5 p.m.
Harvey praised the school community council and its members for stepping up to help run the ceremony. Other than those who facilitated the ceremony, it looked similar to past years.
The Class of 2024 missed out on a lot of things because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Harvey said, and she wanted this year's grad to be special for them.
She hopes the grads will come back to the school in the future to share their experiences.
