Gimli High School’s graduating class of 2024 walked away from high school last week with their diplomas and countless memories they made together.
Grads were honoured June 24 during a two-hour graduation ceremony in the school gym with hundreds of family members and friends in attendance.
Class valedictorians Parker Johnson and Jayden Crave told their fellow grads they should be proud of their resilience, ability to overcome challenges and everything they accomplished, as well as memories that will last a lifetime.
Express Photos by Patricia Barrett
“Thank you for the countless memories we created together, whether it was on our sports trips, our trip to Chicago, our sports and school clubs or our efforts to strengthen community,” said Johnson. “Each moment has been more memorable because we spent them together.”
Crave said each grad had to embrace many challenges and step outside their comfort zone to master new skills.
“We all have personal challenges and we used them to build us up rather than tear us down. We are strong motivated young adults who are ready to face these challenges and embrace the importance of perseverance,” said Crave. “We can’t predict what’s next to come, but we’re prepared for anything.”
They also thanked their teachers for showing them “purpose” and pushing them towards success.
Principal Leona Groot paid tribute to her 52 graduates, singling them out and highlighting their specialty whether that was music, sports, math, English, artistic flair or community service, as well as those who practised pure kindness.
“The way you interacted with others shows graciousness and concern. You have spent the last four years being kind to others and helping them in small ways, including acts of kindness, humour or simply always having a smile on your face,” said Groot. “I know that you’ll model this regularly as you move forward in life because that’s just who you are.”
Evergreen School Division superintendent Scott Hill told the grads that as they step into the next chapter of their lives, they’ll carry with them the lessons of hard work, independent thought, compassion and empathy, and that they should use their voices, minds and hearts to make a difference in the world.
“We’ve tried to inspire you to work hard and think for yourselves, to question, to seek truth and stand by your convictions while remaining open to new perspectives. Critical thinking and perseverance are qualities that will serve you well no matter where life takes you,” said Hill. “Perhaps, most importantly, we urged you to cultivate empathy in our interconnected world, understanding that sharing the feelings of others is not just not an admirable trait, but a necessary one.”
Heather Iriks earned the Governor General’s academic medal for achieving a grade point average of over 96 in grades 11 and 12 courses. Ivy Alexander was named Female Athlete of the Year and Haden Magnusson was named Male Athlete of the Year.
Express Photos by Patricia Barrett
Graduates benefited from over 50 generous scholarships and awards from community organizations, service clubs and individuals, as well as university scholarships.
After the ceremony, grads headed to Gimli Beach for photos and later staged a motorcade that saw well-wishers lining the sidewalks along First and Centre to cheer them on.
Express Photos by Patricia Barrett
