The Lindsay Thurber grad executive -- L-R-back: Mason Leroux, Kate Hawkins, Carmen Jerry and Sheila Fubara, L-R-front: Samantha Chong and Irelyn Spelt, and missing are Avery Hansen, Coen Good, Luke Weddell, Beverly Afram and Harris Khan. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

a resilient class

Red Deer grads excited to return to ‘normal’ ceremonies

Apr 14, 2022 | 8:30 AM

A public health crisis which has evolved the way it has means a return to at least semi-normal grad celebrations for the region’s Grade 12 students.

The last two years, grads and their families have mostly had to resort to alternative means, including drive-by parades and teachers literally going door-to-door of each student with diploma-by-delivery.

“We recognize that graduation is an important milestone in a young adult’s life. It’s a milestone that is meaningful for our students and also for their families and friends as well,” said Chad Erickson, Superintendent of Schools, Red Deer Public Schools. “Graduation is not only a celebration of the hard work and dedication of students, but the start of the next chapter in their lives. We know our students will move on to do great things, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”

Red Deer Public Schools grad schedule:

• Hunting Hills High School – Friday, May 13, 2022

MAYOR KEN JOHNSTON, AND OUR TOP STORIES

From sports to health care, and taxes to culture, here's a look back at Red Deer in 2024

12h ago

MAYOR MEGAN HANSON

Growth, goldfish, and water conservation: 2024 in Sylvan Lake

Dec 31, 2024

Plan for safe travels

RCMP: Increased enforcement ahead of New Years Eve

Dec 31, 2024

o Two ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. at Westerner Park

• Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School – Friday, May 27, 2022

o Three ceremonies at 9 a.m, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Lindsay Thurber

• Alternative School Centre – Friday, June 24, 2022

o One ceremony at Bower Ponds

• Gateway Christian – Tuesday, June 28, 2022

o One ceremony at New Life Fellowship Church

For Kate Hawkins, president of the Lindsay Thurber grad executive, planning for a regular grad celebration has been a relief. Hawking says while grad will still look a bit different than usual, it’s a return to some normalcy.

“The classes of the last couple years have missed out on many things, but especially on the connections we typically form with each other. It’s been hard to maintain friendships online,” she says. “That said, I think we definitely are all more resilient after meeting the challenge put before us. We all just had to manage and push through, and so it’s great we’re finally getting a positive result.”

Hawkins agrees that she and classmates are proud to be part of one of the classes that overcame such a massive obstacle.

“It was two years of strangeness, so it’s exciting to get back to normal,” she says. “My brother graduated in the last couple years and it just seemed anti-climactic. Now, we get to take all of our pent-up energy and throw together the biggest and best ceremony.”

Lindsay Thurber has about 400 grads this year, while there are just over 300 at Hunting Hills, 63 at the Alternative School, and 26 at Gateway Christian.

At Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, St. Joseph High School Principal Graeme Daniel says, “The staff and students are excited to celebrate graduation. For everyone involved in education, the last two years have been trying and to have the opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate our students is truly a blessing.”

For Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, grad ceremonies are as follows:

• Ecole Secondaire Notre Dame High School (approximately 360 grads)

Wednesday, June 29 – Centrium at Westerner Park, 9 a.m. ceremony, 7 p.m. grand march and prom.

• St. Joseph High School (approximately 250 grads)

Wednesday, June 29 – 10 a.m. ceremony at St. Joseph Field House, followed by 5 p.m. grand march and prom at Exhibition Hall (Westerner Park).