Donning Haliburton Highlands Secondary School Red Hawk ball caps, J. Douglas Hodgson Elementary School teacher Andrew Dawson, and vice principal Teressa Bird, concluded a June 24 graduation ceremony by symbolically sending their charges up the hill to the big school.
Dawson said they looked forward to seeing the grads in future, “just down the road at Hal High,” hearing about their first summer jobs, prepping for Grade 9 exams, sporting events, and eventually about drivers’ licences, trades, colleges and universities.
He further told the students, “life is a journey. Try your best to be present. It might seem difficult, but take risks. Laugh. Make good choices.
“It has been an honour to be part of your lives. We wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavours,” Dawson added.
Bird advised, “make friends, dream, be grateful, and most of all, be happy.”
Trustee Gary Brohman told students to “get to school, and go to class.” He also coaxed them to believe in themselves and get involved at high school. “You think it’s a long time, but it just scoots by.”
He encouraged them to ask for things, and remember that, amid a world of social media, and bullying, “your parents will give you unconditional love when things go bad. Just ask.”
Principal David Waito expressed pride in the graduating class. He said staff and teachers had seen their perseverance, especially through COVID-19, and honoured their accomplishments. He encouraged them to “unplug” from devices and be present.
Valedictorian Travis Rowe said while looking forward to high school, he wanted to reflect on some of the graduating classes’ memories, and the people who got them there. He thanked individual teachers for their support and inspiration. He also thanked staff.
Rowe reflected on how COVID-19 impacted their learning and how a return to normalcy was welcome.
“We are going into Grade 9. We might be scared, but we’re also very excited. We will have even more opportunities … JDH has prepared us to be kind and successful in whatever we choose to do.”
