CREMONA – The Class of 2025 heard on Saturday during their graduation ceremony that youth is a journey of discovery on the path to self-determination.
Valedictorian Brooke Anderson encouraged her classmates on Saturday, June 7 to always look for the silver lining and continue to explore and learn along the way.
There were 18 graduates, and among the dignitaries attending were Mountain View County Coun. Alan Miller, Chinook’s Edge School Division trustee Melissa Copley, school council vice-chair Theresa McPike, associate superintendent Karyn Barber, and principal Darryl Korody.
Anderson recalled a story her grandmother recently told her about a time when she was only four-years-old still living in Pennsylvania with her immediate family and came to visit for Christmas.
“Nana told me that when I came through the airport terminal, l looked absolutely haggard,” she said. “My hair was every which way, I was barely picking my feet up off the floor and I was dragging my bag along.”
But the sight of her extended family – grandparents, aunts, and uncles – waiting instantly lit her up as though Christmas had come early, she said.
“I know we, as the Class of 2025, are feeling much like four-year-old Brooke at the moment. Dog tired, ready for a long nap, and just happy for the long journey to be over with,” she said.
But before racing off into summer relaxation mode, she invited them to look around at those who have loved and supported them every step of the way.
While extending gratitude to the support of teachers, staff, family and friends, she also urged her classmates to self-reflect.
“One of the most important people here today … is yourself. We couldn’t have gotten here today without the support of all these wonderful people, but it is only you who stayed up late studying, showed up to school – most of the time – and applied yourself,” she said.
And even when the going gets tough, she encouraged them to face challenges head on.
“Don’t be afraid to try new things. That’s what being young is for, discovering who you are,” she said.
“I know how terrifying it is to look ahead when there’s such a long, undiscovered road before you, but the only one who can walk that path and see the world through your eyes is you.”
She parted with a quote from Dolly Parton, who once said, “When I wake up, I expect things to be good. If they’re not, then I try to set about trying to make them as good as I can ’cause I know I’m going to have to live that day anyway. So why not try to make the most of it if you can?”
Anderson said life won’t always be a smooth road.
“Sometimes, it’ll be something akin to a road allowance in a car with questionable clearance. But I hope when you’re worried … you might remember this quote, or at least the gist of it, look out the window, notice the mountains, and turn up the radio, remember everybody who loves you and make it a good day.”
Kids these days
Korody recounted a recent drive when radio jockeys dove into a negative diatribe about “kids these days.”
Countering that narrative, he said the majority tend to end up being judged because of “a few bad apples.”
“As a principal, I want to use my platform to defend ‘kids these days,’” he said, adding his 20 years in education have impressed upon him a positive outlook.
This past year alone, he spoke about three students who graduated early to pursue pre-employment heavy equipment technician and millwright apprenticeships and others yet who mentored younger students or were actively engaged in leadership programs to make their school and community a better place to live.
The principal said the school’s teachers and administrators were privileged to witness their growth and expressed pride in the students as he congratulated them on graduating.
“You have navigated academic challenges, embraced extracurricular opportunities, and forged friendships that will undoubtedly last a lifetime,” he said.
“You have grown not only in knowledge but also in character. You have learned the importance of collaboration, the value of resilience in the face of setbacks, and the power of your own unique voices,” he said, wishing them all well on their future endeavours regardless of the paths they each choose.
In parting, he encouraged them to cling onto their curiosity, embrace challenges, never to stop learning and to always be courageous and kind both to others as well as themselves while striving to have a positive influence in the world.
