CANORA - I’d like to begin by acknowledging our board member, Shannon Leson, and our superintendent, Shaune Beatty, for 小蓝视频 here today.
One of the greatest privileges our staff has is getting a front-row seat to the journey our students take. From the first day of kindergarten to now, we see the challenges you face and the ways you rise to meet them. What most people don’t see is the full story behind each student. Most won’t know what you’ve had to shoulder just to show up to class or walk the halls, but we see more than most, and we admire the strength it takes.
Yes, you’ve had to juggle schoolwork, sports, extracurriculars, part-time jobs – on the farm or in local businesses. But many of you have also quietly navigated some of life’s harder battles: family health issues, financial struggles, grief, mental health, learning challenges, breakups, the Edmonton Oilers loss or just the anxiety of not knowing what comes next.
And now, with the rise of AI, even the future feels harder to predict. What careers will exist five years from now? What skills will matter? There are more unknowns than ever.
But here’s what I do know: the time you’ve spent at CCS – building relationships, learning how to dance the Rasputin and two stepping, learning how to get your hands dirty in the garden, cooking fantastic gourmet meals, making mistakes, trying again, and growing into who you are – has prepared you for whatever lies ahead.
You’ve faced challenges. You’ve failed at times – on tests, in games, in relationships – and you’ve learned from those moments. That matters. Own your mistakes. Reflect on them. Try again. Always give your best effort, and even if the outcome isn’t perfect, be proud that you didn’t cut corners.
Be kind. Stay grounded. Make time for the people you care about. And when you look around this stage – really look – you’ll realize that this moment is the end of one chapter. Many of you may never sit beside each other again. And that’s part of the journey too. It’s exciting. It’s intimidating. Sometimes both in the same breath.
But those people in the crowd – your parents, your family, the ones who’ve supported you from day one – they’re proud of you. And they’ll be there in the chapters ahead.
No matter what your high school experience was like, you made it through. You earned this. And on behalf of the staff at CCS, I want to congratulate you on receiving your Grade 12 diploma.
I wish you all the best in your next steps, and a safe, fun evening as you celebrate this milestone with the people who matter most.
Congratulations, Class of 2025.
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