Lorette valedictorians reflect on pandemic grad

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This article was published 21/06/2021 (1828 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The valedictorians of College Lorette Collegiate say the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted their graduation celebrations but can’t take away their sense of accomplishment.

The high school is preparing to graduate 95 students in a drive-up convocation ceremony spread over two days next week. Principal Teresa Yestrau said students sign up in 10-minute blocks to receive their diploma under a tent in front of up to three vehicles.

The Carillon caught up with the school’s four valedictorians this week, right after they filmed their valedictory addresses.

Knight Marasigan said when the school year started, she didn’t think a COVID graduation was on the horizon.

“I had thought that this year would be much more normal.”

Hannah Berg agreed.

“I felt bad for 2020, and now ours is just the same as theirs.”

As the school year progressed, Berg said she learned to “go with the flow.”

Ty McNaughton said he never imagined he’d be having a COVID grad.

“Last summer, it didn’t even come through my mind.”

Not so for Levi Enns, who assumed the ceremony format would be altered. Enns said he spent the school year stuck “between hope and reality.”

Evolving restrictions made planning a ceremony months away nearly impossible.

“We planned many grads this year,” Principal Teresa Yestrau said.

Berg said it was tough to watch the plans change so often, and Marasigan agreed.

“It’s been very stressful, especially with all the changing restrictions.”

The students attended in-person classes two days a week. The other three days were spent learning from home. McNaughton said he figured the setup would be temporary. Berg said she was thankful the entire school year wasn’t online.

Marasigan said she found it hard taking tests online at home. She also missed visiting her extended family for support.

Enns, by contrast, said he didn’t mind remote learning.

“I get just as much work done at home as I do at school.”

Earlier this month students at the school returned from a two-week remote learning stint prompted by COVID-19 cases. McNaughton said he was glad to return to school before the year ended.

To cope with the added stress of the pandemic, and the social isolation, Marasigan said she played video games and started a group chat. Berg said her spirits were lifted by a part-time job at a daycare centre.

“I had lots of joy from the children.”

Enns used Discord, an instant messaging platform, to stay in touch with friends and made a lot of trips to the skate park.

McNaughton said he normally would have played hockey all winter. With leagues cancelled, he tried ice fishing and skiing instead.

Marasigan said she feels cheated by the graduation ceremony’s 10-minute time limit, and the inability to celebrate with friends. But she’s also grateful that her family can watch her receive her diploma in-person.

Berg said she’d prefer a dinner and dance but is just glad grad wasn’t cancelled altogether.

Enns tempered his expectations.

“I’ve kind of not had my hopes up for the whole year, just so I wouldn’t be disappointed,” he said.

McNaughton said the continually shifting ceremony plans dampened his excitement, which is slowly returning as the big day nears.

One thing the pandemic hasn’t dampened is the students’ ambition. Marasigan plans to study political science and law the University of Manitoba, then become a police officer.

Berg plans to study kinesiology in Ontario and a physical therapist.

Enns will spend the summer roofing, then enrol in business administration at Red River College.

McNaughton will play hockey in British Columbia before starting business classes at the University of Manitoba.

Yestrau said the entire graduating class has displayed resiliency and an ability to find the positives during a difficult year.