SUNDRE – Sundre High School’s Class of 2025 valedictorian encouraged his classmates to step into an uncertain future with an open mind, guided by kindness and compassion.
Samuel Botheras was this year’s valedictorian in a class of 64 graduates whose cap and gown ceremony was held on Friday, June 27 at the school gym which was packed.
The event was MC’d by teacher Kevin Challoner and featured addresses from Mike Garrow, Chinook’s Edge School Division associate superintendent; Terry Leslie, trustee; Sundre mayor Richard Warnock; Mountain View County Coun. Tiffany Nixon; MLA Jason Nixon; MP William Stevenson; and principal Scott Saunders.
While he expressed enthusiasm about embarking on the next adventure, Botheras also lamented leaving behind the life he and his classmates had all come to know.
“It will sting to let go,” he said.
“The feelings each of you have filled this school with are everlasting and will ring throughout the halls long after we’re gone.”
He also extended gratitude to all of those who supported them every step of the way, both at home as well as school and was both optimistic and confident that his classmates would come into their own as they all forge ahead into the future.
“When I look at this class, I see a crop of people who may not feel ready to take on the world, but are absolutely able to.”
Botheras went on to take a moment to emphasize he did not intend for his speech to extoll the virtues of the “systemic institution of ‘school.’
“It’s at best tedious, and at worst a decade-long slog which exists solely to weed out the best rule-followers to be ground into powder by the churning cogs of industry and capital, leaving everyone who doesn’t fit into that neat little box behind,” he said.
However, from his own personal perspective and experience, he felt Sundre High School stood out as an exception.
“Almost every one of my teachers have done their best to make each day as engaging, fun, and personal as possible.”
Harking back a few words of praise to staff at River Valley School, Botheras said high school for him was where he really developed a greater sense of awareness that was facilitated and nurtured in large part through the patience, understanding and guidance of faculty.
Momentarily pausing amid emotions, Botheras was encouraged by his classmates, staff as well as the crowd and regained his momentum to carry on.
“It’s impossible to know how much time I spent pestering Mrs. Jesse or Mr. K outside of class time, and how much I love and respect them for their persistent kindness to me and my peers,” he continued.
Of course at the end of the day, each student is responsible for the decisions they’ll make moving forward.
“We made it this far, and will make it even further beyond, because I know we are all strong,” he said.
“Growing up with all of you has been one of the most fulfilling teenage experiences I could ask for, through all the thick and thin.”
As the graduates prepare to contribute their own stories to the pages of an as-yet-to-be-written history, he said “the beautiful thing about unprecedented times is that we get to make what we want of it. We get to make it ours.”
In parting, Botheras sought to impart a slice of unsolicited advice that he implored his classmates to keep close to their hearts.
“Be kind. Open your mind to others, let them into your hearts, and show them your love,” he said.
“The one thing we all have in common is that we live in a world that feels almost antagonistic, and it’s only getting harder to ignore the overwhelming noise that surrounds us.”
Life is not easy and will always throw curveballs that might cast doubts of the future holding in store much hope.
“It is awful that hope can be such a rarity. But in another vein, it’s somewhat uplifting; it makes that hope all the more valuable,” he said.
“It means that you can make someone’s life better, if only for a moment, by loving them. It’s a common but beautiful opportunity each of us has to make the world a better place,” he said.
“Show love as often and as powerfully as you can. The world has too much hate in it already for us to enter it cynically,” he said.
“So I ask you not just as your valedictorian, but as your classmate and friend, to enter it with grace.”
Botheras received a standing ovation and enthusiastic cheers.
Saunders said he saw before him a group of confident and mature graduates who demonstrated their dedication through a number of pursuits, ranging from students who were involved in the May Queen program to others who didn’t hesitate to dive “deep into dual credit programs and off-campus options” which showed “a fantastic drive to learn beyond the traditional classroom.”
The principal said what most stood out in his mind is “the sheer spectrum of personalities and interests you represent.
“We have our incredible athletes, our talented musicians, actors, and technicians, our dedicated gamers, our hands-on builders, our natural leaders, keen photographers, creative designers, brilliant coders, and our thoughtful readers and writers,” he said.
Each graduate, he added, offered something unique and valuable to not just the school but the whole community.
“As you step out of these doors today, take all of that with you. Take the lessons, the friendships, and the knowledge that you are more capable than you probably even realize.”
