Look out world, here comes the class of 2011.
Approximately 950 Vernon, Lumby, Armstrong and Enderby graduates leave the familiar walls of their high-school classrooms over the next few weeks and move on to their next challenge in life.
W.L. Seaton graduates were the first to mark the occasion with graduation activities Thursday and Friday.
“I’m still in a bit of a daze about it,” said 18-year-old Aiden White, still recouping from grad kidnappings earlier in the week.
It’s a bittersweet moment for the grads, many of whom are both sad to say goodbye, yet happy to put high school behind them.
As much as he is ready to move on, Chris Deciccio admits there are parts of school that he’ll miss.
“Seeing your friends everyday,” said the 17-year-old.
“The teachers,” adds Stephanie Duval.
Then there is the decision of what to do with their days, now that high school doesn’t consume them.
“Graduating makes you realize: ‘I’m going to be bored,’” said Deciccio, who plans to eventually head back to the classroom to study culinary arts.
“Work, work, work,” – that’s the plan for Duval, who will be working her way towards college, and hopes to move on from her hometown of Vernon.
“I want to get as far away as I can.”
Ready or not, the structured days of school are over and the wide-world of opportunity awaits.
The next round of graduation ceremonies are at Charles Bloom Secondary and Vernon Secondary Friday. Then Sixmile celebrates June 9, followed by Kalamalka Secondary June 10, vLearn/Open Door/Crossroads June 13 and Clarence Fulton Secondary June 24.
Enderby’s A.L. Fortune graduates celebrate June 10 and in Armstrong Pleasant Valley Secondary ceremonies take place June 28 (prom is June 9).