The Regional Alternative Education Centre (RAEC) in Altona celebrated the achievements of 10 graduates at a ceremony June 18.
“You are a motivated, goal-oriented group of people who found the strength and determination to finish your high school education,” RAEC director Kelly Skelton told the assembled group ahead of presenting them with their hard-earned mature student high school diplomas.
“When I think of words that capture this year at RAEC, the words integrity and perseverance come to mind,” Skelton observed.
“In an academic setting, integrity matters, as we must have confidence that every mark, every course completion, and every diploma is earned through the hard work of the student and a true reflection of their learning,” she said. “In life, integrity also matters. As a personal quality, integrity is about acting in ways that match your values and beliefs and being the same person in private as you are in public. Your words and your actions align. You are trustworthy and honest—people don’t need to guess about your motivation or a hidden agenda. You do the right thing even when no one is watching.
“Perseverance is the quality of sticking to something despite difficulties, setbacks, or discouragement,” Skelton continued. “It’s about continuing to pursue your goals even when the going gets tough.
“Today, your integrity and perseverance mean that you get to receive the reward for your efforts: your mature high school diploma. We hope that this achievement will set you firmly on the path toward the future you envision,” she said. “As you move into that vision and walk your path in life, may integrity be your legacy and may perseverance continue to carry you on the days when everything feels hard.”
Skelton also thanked the RAEC staff for their dedication to supporting the graduates through the year, and Border Land School Division as well for providing a space for mature students to thrive.
“We are very fortunate to have an adult learning centre in this community to support the academic aspirations of adult learners,” she said. “I would like to acknowledge our gratitude for the support of Border Land School Division and Adult Learning and Literacy. Their belief in the importance of adult education ensures that RAEC can meet the learning needs of people who choose our school.”
The centre’s class of 2026 included Susie Banman, Emeleo Cole, Jason Dilts, Helena Friesen, Margaretha Giesbrecht, Tobi Nicholson, Tommy Peters, Riley Thiessen, Vladimir Vloshonovskiy, Brittney Barrs, and Helena Friesen.
