Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School Class of 2013 had 144 graduates, and PSO principal Vic Brett is proud of each and every one of them.
He said as much as the master of ceremonies during the graduation ceremony at the arena in 100 Mile House on May 24.
The facility was packed with supportive family and friends who clapped and cheered loudly, with many reaching for Kleenex tissues to dab the tears of joy from their eyes.
Following the procession, which saw the grads march in their caps and gowns to the front of the audience, and the singing of the national anthem by the school choir, Canim Lake Band Chief Mike Archie welcomed everyone and drummed and sang for the grads.
Superintendent Mark Thiessen, school board chair Will Van Osch and 100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall all made heartfelt speeches, containing a blend of humour and pearls of wisdom.
Prior to the presentation of diplomas by Brett and vice-principal Geoff Butcher, Jason Ruscheinsky played his guitar and sang “This Is Not Goodbye.”
After the diploma presentation, Karly Kremsner and Ben Mowbray gave the interesting and humourous Valedictorian Address.
Josslyn Ryan and Miranda Pettitt sang a lovely rendition of “Unwritten,” and were accompanied by Ruscheinsky. They received a well-deserved standing ovation.
The highlight of the evening for many was Thiessen presenting the Governor General’s Medal to Jill Matlock (see story on page 3 of this edition).
After the ceremony Brett noted 33 of the 144 grads achieved the honour roll in all 12 reporting periods – the whole time they were at PSO.
“The grads were really good, solid citizens at PSO. It was a wonderful grad class; you could rely on and they took their schooling very seriously.”
Brett noted the students provided a stable base to work with the closure of 100 Mile House Junior Secondary after this school year and preparing for the influx of students at PSO next year.
“They were willing to accept change, embrace what was happening and be those good guys who helped others learn about the school and school system.”
He added the leadership group had a series of meetings with the Junior Secondary students and the youth empowerment group came in a couple of sessions with the PSO and Junior Secondary students.
“Our Grade 12s were really the salt of the earth, really supportive of the younger kids and really supportive of the school.”
He also had kind words for Valedictorians Kremsner and Mowbray, who were nominated by the teachers and staff, with the top 3 boys and top 3 girls put on a ballot and elected by their peers.
“These two were really well-rounded students, high achievers academically, well-respected by their peers and outstanding citizens of the school the whole time they were here. It was a pleasure to have them in the school.”
Regarding their speech, Kremsner said she and Mowbray took about three hours to come up with the material.
“We wanted to write something inspirational for our peers and come up with some inside jokes that would be meaningful for the grads.”
She added being selected as Valedictorian was one of the proudest moments of her life.
“I really wanted it and hearing that I was nominated was the happiest feeling I’ve ever had. Being actually selected as Valedictorian was unbelievable.”
Noting she has gone to school with a lot of the grads since elementary school, Kremsner said it was great watching them grow up over the years.
“They have grown into such great people. I think there will be a bond among us for a long time.”
The proud Valedictorian will be taking a year off to work and then she will begin the trek to become a registered nurse.
“I’ve always wanted to help people and I’ve always had strong interests in the medical field. I want to eventually work in the maternity ward.”
Mowbray said becoming Valedictorian was a “really great honour … to be selected by not only teachers but by classmates, too.
It was a lot of responsibility to make that speech, he said, adding it was good to know everyone thought he could handle that responsibility.
“It felt really good just to be able to represent everyone. I’ve been with them for so many years and it just made me feel really connected with them.”
Mowbray said it was great getting together with Kremsner to look back on the year they had with their peers.
“It gave us a moment to reflect on what we’ve done and how far we’ve come. I was kind of neat to tie it altogether and give a speech in from the community and our grad class at the grad ceremony.”
Mowbray said he will spend the summer working in 100 Mile House, but in the fall, he’s off to UNBC to take environmental science.
He received a four-year, full-tuition scholarship and said he hopes to get his degree and stay in British Columbia to work.
Brett also noted the longtime staff member Karen Johnson was retiring this year and she was honoured at the ceremony.
“She is just the heart and soul of this school. We’re very happy for her but it will be a massive change for us.”
