Graduating students from Summerland Secondary School marked the end of their public school education at the school leaving exercises on June 27.
“You have been a fantastic grad class,” Chris Van Bergeyk, principal of the high school, told the 123 students.
Jane Stead spoke to the students at the ceremonies.
She urged them to find their passion in life, take risks and be resilient.
“You’re off on brand new adventures and it can be incredibly overwhelming,” she said.”This is it — the end of childhood and the start of a new life.”
Valedictorians Nicole Fofonoff and Mitch Murphy thanked parents, teachers and the community for their support as they reflected on their time at school.
“They say that it takes a village to raise a child. We believe this statement to be true,” Fofonoff said.
“This is a time for new beginnings for all of us,” Murphy added.
Students also received bursaries and awards from the community, as well as awards for academic achievement.
A total of 58 bursaries and awards, with a value of nearly $93,000, were presented to the graduates from various community organizations.
“It is truly a remarkable amount,” Van Bergeyk said of the bursaries.
