This is the fifth article written by CFAM Rado 950 Student Reporter Oscar Graham from Roseau Valley School in Dominion City. This article focuses on the the next step for him, and his classmates... Graduation!

 

=========================================================

 

"I want to be remembered for being the greatest of all time."
John White (Co- Valedictorian)

Emotions are running high for family, friends and staff at Roseau Valley School (RVS) in Dominion City as another set of Grade 12 students say farewell to their high school lives on June 22nd. The graduates have said they are going

to miss seeing their friends everyday, and how close they all were. In a small school such as RVS you tend to get super close with people, because there isn't that many people. You learn everyone’s names even if you aren't friends with them. You build strong relationships with both you’re friends and teachers.

Principal Jason Mateychuck from Roseau Valley School describes what he likes about Grad as it looms. “A lot of it that I enjoy about Grad is the build up, but I think that day is very exciting because you see the kids in a way different light, there all dressed to the nines, there all reflective about their experiences about school, and reflective about their experiences together, so that day there is a lot of neat things leading up, but that day seeing them in that light together that I think is my most favourite thing along with the conversations of where their going next.”

John White & Tyra Maracle, describe the differences between Grade 11 and Grade 12. John begins, “In Grade 11 I didn't care much about my marks, so I goofed around a lot more, but in Grade 12 is when I realized how much grades mattered, so I was a lot more focused.” Tyra says “I started to realize how important you're future is, and what you want to do. There's a lot more going on in Grade 12 than in Grade 11, and it goes by way faster.” Their advice to future Grad’s are to pay more attention in your Grade 11 classes, because they are more important than you think, study hard, keep up with your homework and to have fun. Tyra states, “You're going to want to create memories, so don't be afraid to try something new. You’re going to regret it later in life.”

The Class of 2019 has gotten a lot closer this past school year than other years. The majority of them were a lot closer with people older than them and had already graduated. They weren't that close with the students younger than them, so that brought them closer together. They spend more time together, and built new friendships with their classmates and people younger than them. They bonded over sports, video games and schoolwork itself. They all became super close, and could always rely on one another for help with whatever was needed. Unorganized at times, the Class of 2019 always found a positive outlook on things, and would create fun in whatever way they could.

Principal Mateychuk, explains what he’s going to remember about the Class of 2019. “I think diversity would be the way I describe them. This class has a lot of different strengths, right across the academic board, the athletic board and other extracurricular involvement. There just very diverse. One thing I’ll remember the most about this group is they had the cleanest grad room. And whenever I went down, and asked them about different things that needed to be done, they actually got done. I think they really took care of that area, and respected the fact they had space for themselves.”

John & Tyra reflect on some of the highlights of their high school career. Tyra notes, “My favourite memory would have to be my first and last basketball game of my senior year. I had the chance to see my teammates improve on their skills. I even got the chance to see them grow as individuals in such a short amount of time.” John adds, “My favourite memory would have to be playing in the Provincial Championship game for rugby in 2017. We lost, but it was still a great memory.” John adds he believes Graduation will be his new favourite memory.

Principal Mateychuk describes where he wants to see the kids do after they graduate. “I just want them to be happy, and be successful in whatever they do. To me happiness is the number one thing. I don't think we can ever prescribe kids they need to go in one direction or the other. I really feel they need to find the passion within them and pursue that. I think that's way more important than monetary goals, or letters behind their names goals. It’s really important they find that happiness, and then with that, happiness in finding a really positive way they can contribute to society. That can be with both work and their attitude towards sustainability, volunteering within their community and becoming great parents. Pretty much just doing whatever they can do help take care of our planet going forward.”

This year’s graduating class is exceptionally low compared to previous years with less than 15 students expected to graduate in June. All the students have different plans for the future. Tyra plans to first attend Red River College to become a Health Care Aid, and work for a year or so, then attend University of Winnipeg to become an Occupational Therapist. John plans to work full time in the summer to save up as much money as possible. In the fall he plans to attend the University of Manitoba for Computer Science. Other students plan to work for a year, and then attend school afterwards. Everyone has a different idea of what they want to do.

Tyra and John describe what they are most looking forward to about finally graduating and the future that awaits. Tyra begins, “I believe every graduate would say they look forward to finally graduating. I can’t wait to finally start my life. I want to be able to do things I want, which is helping people. Being independent, honestly, sounds scary, but at the same time I’m quite excited, because I know I’ll be able to do whatever I put my mind to”. John says, “I'm looking forward to graduation itself, receiving my diploma, and then partying with my friends. I'm also really looking forward to living in the city in my own place, being independent and doing whatever I want”.

Mateychuk describes what he wants the kids to remember about RVS, “I hope the students realized that even though you might butt heads with you're teachers, every one of their teachers was trying to help them, and to try and move them down their path toward happiness and whatever it is that they want to contribute to the world around them. Another thing would be they are welcome back here any time. I really enjoy it when students come here, and tell me about what they've done, and where their going and anywhere life has taken them, because once they leave here in Grade 12 you’re just crossing your fingers, and hoping we’ve done enough. It’s nice when hear you about about what they’ve done.