Because I'd rather be a mom than a principal tonight, I promise I won't drone on and on, ... but I would like to say a few words about the fine young ladies and gentlemen we are honouring tonight.Last September one evening, Rachel Baldry was over at our house, and she and Jesse were already discussing graduation They decided that the diploma presentations would probably be alphabetical. Then Rachel said "Your mom's going to be great at Grad. She'll start bawling when she gives me the first diploma, and she'll keep bawling until she gives you the last one!" Well, I hope not, ... but she may be right. I've known most of these children since they were six years old and in my first-ever grade one class. We learned a lot together that year. They learned how to read and print and add and subtract. I learned how exciting life can be through the eyes of a six year old. I then got to watch them grow and develop through their elementary and junior high years. Grade 10 saw the original Worsley group reach out and embrace new friends as the class got larger when students from Menno Simons and Bear Canyon came to attend our school. For the last two years I've had the honour of working with these children as their principal. These children really are the leaders of our school. Many of them have been involved with Student Council, and have worked hard to make our school a better place. Others have worked hard on sports teams, while still others have made their mark through hard work and a cheerful, cooperative attitude. These are the children who are always ready to do the right thing. They apologize when they've made a mistake, and are always ready to lend a hand when anything needs doing. I'd like to thank Sandra Wasylciw for doing such an excellent job as Grad Advisor, but you should also know that her job as Grad Advisor was much easier than it could have been because of the willingness to get along, cooperate, and be tolerant of one another's ideas, that these children demonstrate. I keep calling them children ... perhaps because I'll always remember the six year old in many of them. In fact, they are no longer children, but rather are yooung adults, ready to go on to the next phase of their lives. Some will be going on to college or university. Some plan on entering the Armed Forces, and some are choosing to enter the work force. I know that they will all be as successful in their future lives as they have been thus far. Tonight, class, have fun, enjoy this celebration and the evening to come, but also remember to be safe. Your future and our hearts depend on that. |