Congratulations 2009 Georges P. Vanier grads

Susan Thompson
for Express

There was a lot of laughter and a few tears as the 2009 Georges P. Vanier graduating class celebrated its convocation on May 16 at the Donnelly school.

The Hollywood-style theme of “Today is our Memory, Tomorrow is our Dream” had the 47 graduands looking forward to becoming the stars in their own lives as they faced the bright lights of the convocation stage and the camera flashes of family and friends filling the role of paparazzi for the evening.

Gil Farley and Pamela Heckbert acted as Masters of Ceremonies, keeping the event flowing smoothly.

Principal David Doucet made a speech comparing how various situations, such as a parent spanking a child, were treated many years ago versus today. He told the graduates to think hard about how they will handle situations in the future in order to prepare themselves for whatever life brings.

High Prairie School Division No. 48 representative Gary Doran said, “It is with a mix of sadness and great pride that I look not at the faces of kids, but adults now.”

Doran told the class “what you all have ahead of you is a blank canvas,” and that it is up to them to choose what paint on it.

Doran also reminded the graduating class that “with the freedom of adulthood comes the responsibility of citizenship.”

Valedictorians Andre Charest and Eric Cruickshank got a lot of laughs for their joint speech, which included many fond memories and both thanked and poked gentle fun at a few lucky teachers.

They began their speech by saying, “We are gathered here to mourn the loss of 47 sets of free education, and the ability to mooch off our respective parents.”

Looking forward to the future, they said they were sure, “many people from this class will go on to great things; like becoming doctors or architects or journeymen or batman.”

Four sets of biographies were also read while images from the childhoods and school years of each graduand were shown on a large screen.

Special performances by talented singers and little sisters Meagan Houle (sister to graduand Natalie Houle) and Alanna Blanchette (sister to graduand Patrick Brochu) were highlights of the valediction. Blanchette’s rendition of Taylor Swift’s “The Best Day” showed that big talent can come in small packages, and Houle’s performance of “Find Your Wings” by Mark Harris got a standing ovation and inspired quite a few tears.

The graduating class tossed their caps into the air before exiting to the song “Our Lives” by the Calling.

The events of the evening continued at the Chevaliers Centre in Falher, where guests enjoyed a banquet dinner cooked by Becky’s Catering and looked at pictures of the graduating class displayed on the walls under the titles “Boulevard of Memories” and “Boulevard of Dreams.” The hall was decorated with stars and images from Hollywood.

Servers at the banquet were G.P. Vanier students collecting hours as part of the “Legacy Project,” a school program meant to ensure every member of every graduating class heads out into the world prepared to serve their communities.

“In order to attend our ceremonies you must have your 25 hours of community service,” explained Principal Doucet. “We’re one of the only schools that does it.”

Masters of Ceremonies for the banquet were Emelia Johnson and Michelle Leger.

Each graduand gave a significant person in their life a rose, and the significance of the rose was explained by Sandi Hodgson and Jenny Dion.

“Reflections,” a Powerpoint of class pictures and memories, was presented by Casey Dechief, Ashley Loiseau, Nathalie Houle, and Chantal Brochu.

The graduands and their escorts then entered the hall. A dance with escorts and a dance with parents kicked off the dance that concluded the evening.

For more coverage, get your copy of the 2009 May 27 Smoky River Express paper now available.

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