The Lundar graduating class of 2024 is off into the world that needs them.
In a ceremony on June 25, the 24 grads took to the stage, cap tassels dangling on the right sides of their heads, ready to move to the left. Before receiving their diplomas, though, grads first listened to their principal, Lawrence Grzenda, give a speech.
He started off by saying he’s watched the grads find success, meet failure, and try again throughout their years in Lundar School. He gave the grads one simple message: society needs them.
“We need you to step into the systems we have in place that allows our way of life to function,” he said. “We need you to start businesses to create jobs, we need you to build and maintain roads so that people and commerce can be transported, we need healthcare personnel to aide, guide, and promote our health, we need people in media to keep the public informed and circulate information, we need inventors to create devices that will better use our resources, we need academics to better understand the concepts of our society and ways to live, we need labourers to carry out the tasks that allow things to be done.”
Grzenda told the graduates the trick will be finding a place in the world they themselves find acceptable. For some, it’ll come easy, their path clearly labelled for them from the start. For others, though, it may take more time and consideration, more challenges and hardships.
“Remember that the world needs you even if finding your place takes longer than you thought,” he said. “Stick with it. Create a new plan, alter your goals, try a new line of work.”
Grzenda went on to say the world can be discouraging, even for the oldest adults, but each graduate will find expertise in certain areas. In their expertise, he said, they’ll find their place and feel included.
“Finding your place is the task that now lies ahead of you.”
He suggested ways for the grads to find their place — volunteering being first on the list. He listed the Lundar Fair, Lobsterfest, Bullorama, community groups, and more. Grzenda said by volunteering, the grads will gain experience and make connections with people who can help them find their place.
“Finding your place is not something that happens without your engagement in the world,” he said. “Getting opportunities and experience requires you to get involved and to do something for society.”
Valedictorian Jersi Godfrey started her speech off by reminiscing with her fellow graduates over their years together. She noted classmates who write their own music, ones with distinctive laughs, and touched on the group’s most memorable moments.
“As I look back at our last few years I realize we have overcome so many challenges and obstacles together but we’ve also accomplished so much more,” she said. “We’ve discovered new passions, made new friendships, and made many memories along the way. Tomorrow is just the beginning of our next chapter.”
More than 30 awards were handed out at the graduation ceremony. Graduate Aiden Spalding received nine awards, including the Allan Forsyth Foundation Scholarship for $500, the Derek Johnson Citizenship Scholarship for $200, the Eriksdale Legion Scholarship for $500, the Gudjon Johnson Memorial Scholarship for $1,000, and the Governor General’s Medal. Matty Law went home with five awards, including the highest grade in ELA Transactional, the Goose Shoot Scholarship for $500, the Eriksdale Municipal Heritage Advisory Scholarship, the Coldwell Lundar Community Foundation’s Cal and Dorothy Bennett Memorial Scholarship for $500, and the David Sigfusson Memorial Scholarship fort $500. Hannah Johnson received a number of awards as well, including the Fjola Johnson Scholarship for $2,000, the Grettir Co-operative Amateur Athletic Association Scholarship for $200, and the Lundar Legion Scholarship for $500.
Grzenda sent the grads off by telling them as much as the world needs them, they too, need the world. He told them to work together so we can continue to have the luxuries we’ve become accustomed to.
“As I look at you, I am excited because I see the faces of individuals who are up to the challenge of being part of the Canadian society,” he said. “I am confident that you will find your place.”
Express Photos by Brett Mitchell
