Last evening was the twenty-fourth graduation ceremony for a high school I teach at. Graduation is the highlight of my teaching year, a time to watch with pride as our Grade 12 students walk across the stage to receive their certificates and awards. The principal said in her address that these young men and women had the ability to create their lives. I thought that while some circumstances would be out of their control, their responses would always be their own.
More years ago than seem possible, a group of my fellow high school graduates and I stood on the stage of the Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute. The principal announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, here are your Ontario Scholars!” It was a proud moment. The hundred dollars we each received went a lot further than it would now but the biggest reward was in the achievement itself. Our moment in the spotlight was also balm to the soul. Since graduation took place during October, most of us had already experienced our first weeks of university or other destinations, and with them the sometimes difficult transition period change involves.
The future was before us, unknown, full of possibilities. I knew what my goals were: to become an English teacher, write, marry and have children. Even though, I have done all these things I could never have anticipated what lay ahead. I had no idea that my future husband sat at the back of the room in my Canadian Literature course. I would never have envisioned that his job would take us across Canada, that our first child would be born in Saskatchewan and graduate from high school in Nova Scotia. There would be difficulties to face, loss and family tragedies, but also unexpected opportunities, adventures and rich relationships. My strong faith in God would always empower me to rebuild and carry on.
After the ceremony was completed, last night, the students threw their hats into the air. This is always my favourite part: a celebration of the past and a nod to the future!
Congratulations and much happiness to our 2018 graduates! Write your own stories. Life awaits you. Seize it and use it wisely!