INNISFAIL – Blaine Calkins had an urgent federal government matter to attend but he absolutely wanted to be in Innisfail to issue a “warning” to the 52 graduating students at Innisfail High School.
“I warn you that success will not be given to you, you have to work hard to earn it. You are likely better, smarter and more capable than you think you are,” said Calkins, MP of the new federal riding of Ponoka–Didsbury, which includes Innisfail.
He was the first special guest speaker on June 20 for the 2025 Innisfail High School graduation ceremony that saw the teenage men and women achieving their first critically important milestone in their young lives.
“I understand that confidence comes with time and experiences, but I want you to get all of the experiences that you can,” said Calkins. “Failure is not something to be afraid of. Failure is just an opportunity to learn and to grow.
“The real problem is quitting and giving up,” he added. “If you persevere, you will eventually succeed.”
Calkins then told his audience that he had to leave the ceremony early because he had to “show up” for the last day of the House of Commons’ current session.
“If I don't engage in the House of Commons virtually, 120,000 people will not be represented if I don’t show up,” said Calkins. “I can tell you that decisions are always made by the people who do show up.
“So, show up. Show up for your community. Show up for your family. Show up for your country,” he said. “If you show up, then you'll have every opportunity to have a say in your future and your success.”
This year’s graduation ceremony in the high school’s main gym attracted another full house of family members, friends, former and current students, and five other special guests.
The latter included Devin Dreeshen, MLA for the riding of Innisfail-Sylvan Lake; Innisfail mayor Jean Barclay; Holly Bilton, Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) board member; Brent Ramsay, deputy mayor of Red Deer County, and Ryan Sawula, CESD superintendent.
Barclay reminded graduates that many citizens know what it’s like to grow up in a community the size of Innisfail, where most people know your name and will give you a nod and a hello, and how different that is in a large urban environment where many get lost in big city crowds.
“Sometimes in mid-sized towns like Innisfail it is easy to wonder if the biggest dreams are meant for someone else, and the answer to that is no,” said Barclay.
“Some of the most remarkable leaders, inventors, artists, healthcare professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, creative people and change-makers have graduated from Innisfail High School.
“So, go ahead and take risks,” added Barclay. “Learn from failure. Ask for help if you need it, and make sure you fully explore all the opportunities.”
Liam Carlson was chosen to make the valedictorian address for the Class of 2025.
He was filled with gratitude for school administrators, teachers and custodians, emphasizing that all of them communicated with students like friends, rather than students.
Carlson, noting he had only been at the school since last year, said the level of respect and compassion each student showed him during his two years in Innisfail changed the way he viewed a school environment.
“Being able to click with the classes I had, and being comfortable being myself means more than I'd like to admit,” he said. “I'm proud this is the class that I get to graduate with.”
Like most other graduating teens, Carlson is experiencing a moment of transition, a time of complexity, upheaval and growth, and he chose to end his valedictorian address with a quote by the fearless teen Anne Boonchuy from the Amphibia animated television series.
“Change can be difficult, but it's how we grow. It can be the hardest thing to realize you can't hold on to something forever. Sometimes, you have to let it go; but, of the things you let go, you'd be surprised what makes its way back to you.”
