OXBOW - Oxbow Prairie Horizons School (OPHS) celebrated its 2023 graduates on June 29.
The traditional graduation ceremony took place at the school gymnasium starting at 5 p.m. A parade followed at 7 p.m. from the school, past the senior homes and up Main Street.
The theme of the year was Starry Night, and the grads' colours were blacks, silvers and whites.
Pat and Jody Jeannot, two beloved past teachers, were guest speakers and offered great words of wisdom and cookie bars.
This year 24 graduates walked across the stage at OPHS.
"They are a very diverse group that will follow many different paths in life. They are a group that will find success on those paths, whether it be to head off to work, to take a trade, to travel a while or to go off to university," said Pamela Dmytriw, OPHS grad advisor.
This year, students got to enjoy a return to school as usual. Dmytriw noted that it was a breath of fresh air to have extracurricular activities in full swing and lots of school activities. The previous pandemic years' grad experience allowed the current graduates to be more creative and mix and match what they wanted.
"This group blended some of the traditions picked up in the pandemic with the traditional grad we were able to have, making it a whirlwind month for them," Dmytriw said.
She noted that for many in the class, they will be excited to be done school, which was a stepping stone in their path. Now they can find their way in life with what excites and intrigues them, and the school couldn't be happier for them.
It was a big year for the students, not only due to graduation, but also with many other achievements in academics, sports and other areas. Several of the OPHS graduates have received extra scholarships to the universities and colleges they will be attending. Some have also received very notable scholarships from their other activities, such as 4-H and involvement in agriculture.
Dylan Frey was a provincial bronze medallist in senior boys’ javelin. Mackenzie Miller was a provincial bronze medalist in 3A cross country. Miller, Frey, Spencer Copeland and Loek Armstrong were also provincial a bronze-medal team in 3A track and field. And Mari Lemieux and Miller were selected for the Sask. Basketball Senior All-Star Classic.
Frey had also many accomplishments in his senior year of 4-H at regionals, with several first and second-place finishes. He also received a scholarship that day for his future studies.
The school celebrated all their graduates' achievements along with the students and their families and wishes the OPHS class of 2023 all the best in their future endeavours.
"Find your path and know that the whole world is out there for you. Take time to travel and figure out who you are if you have the chance. Spend your life doing something you love. Make good choices and when you don't - own the bad ones. You'll still make mistakes but that's part of life," Dmytriw wished to the grads.
She added that they are proud of their graduates for achieving this milestone and wish them nothing but the best for their future.
