SRSS valedictorian speaks about resilience

Steinbach Regional Secondary School valedictorian Lily Anderson spoke about the resilience of her graduating class.

“As we recall the challenges we faced, we can celebrate our resilience as we overcame obstacles. Everyone sitting on this stage started high school with resilience. We lived through a pandemic wearing masks and being separated by last names. We failed at tests, got cut from teams, and didn’t get cast in plays and sorry to bring it up again but guys we lost great awards during our senior year,” she said.

“Even in those moments our resilience helped us overcome those challenges. Thankfully those challenges didn’t define us. We moved on. We grew and we learned from those experiences.”

Anderson cited basketball great Michael Jordan as once having said, “Obstacles don’t come to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” She said the road ahead won’t be clear or easy and that challenges will always come but with resilience they can move forward.

“High school was never really about the grades or the assignments, what mattered was the collective experience. The friendships we built, the life lessons. Learning how to learn and growing into ourselves. Wherever life takes us next let’s carry these lessons forward. Stay resilient through the challenges ahead and always remember the people who celebrated even the smallest of our victories,” she said.

“Cherish the memories you make today as we celebrate graduation. Remember the smiles, the people, and the feelings you get crossing the stage. This is the first and only time you’ll graduate high school so celebrate the resilience and everything you’ve accomplished. You’ve earned it.”

During her time in high school, Anderson played on the school basketball team and is a leader of the Shoot to Inspire basketball camp. She was involved in school leadership as a member of the Link Crew and the student grad committee. She was also involved in the SRSS Special Olympics and best buddies programs and plans on attending Providence University College to pursue studies in interdisciplinary arts.

Earning the Governor General’s Award for academic excellence was Seth Van Dycke who graduates with a 99 percent average. Van Dycke also won a $5,000 scholarship from E.G. Penner Building Centre.

Earning the J.J. Peter’s Bronze Medal was Raya Stelmack. The medal is awarded by the faculty to a student who represents the qualities of scholarship, leadership, character, and involvement. Stelmack also won the $600 Marianne Curtis Bursary.

Guest speaker for the afternoon was Olympian Eric Loeppky, who was a SRSS graduate in 2016 and is currently playing volleyball professionally in Italy. He spoke about keeping your passions and pursuing them relentlessly whether that be in sports, academics, the arts, or any other field.

“Don’t shy away from taking risks or stepping outside your comfort zone. It’s in those moments when you really get tested and find out your true capabilities. Stick with your pursuits even when the going gets tough, but most importantly remember to enjoy the ride and be present in every moment because the journey is what it’s all about.

“As you stand on the brink of another chapter know that your time here at SRSS has equipped you to help navigate the world. Trust in yourself, believe in your dreams and don’t hesitate to reach out for help.”

For graduate Kayden Sterk, the journey was all about people. He said the people at SRSS will be what was most memorable for him during his time in high school. Sterk got the Deschauer Family Scholarship of $1,000. He plans to study mathematics or computer science in university.

Anika Brown said she will take a gap year to figure out what she will do. She said her fondest memories of SRSS was the way the school helped her when she was struggling with mental health issues.

“The teachers didn’t look down on me when I wasn’t in class. They were always really helpful and appreciative.”

Her message to her graduating class was, “It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you find happiness doing it, that’s a good decision.”

Samantha Carganillo, who plans on entering nursing, said she felt great graduating.

“It doesn’t feel real. I think it’s going to hit afterward. I feel OK for now.”

Katelyn Duerksen said it felt crazy that they were graduating and that they’ve been in school for so long just waiting for this one moment. She plans to take a gap year to figure out what she wants to do.

“It’s crazy that we made it and to savour every moment and to remember everything and savour everything we’ve done.”

Rosia Rempel said graduating made her happy and made her want to cry. She said the day was circled on her calendar for so long and now that it was finally here it was like a dream. She will also take a gap year and her message to her fellow graduates is “to never give up and keep trying different things.”

For mother Rachael Swift the graduation of her son Maddox Swift was very emotional.

“I’ve been crying since this afternoon when I left, I haven’t been able to stop, but I’ve never been prouder of him.”

Maddox will take a gap year, but plans on studying earth sciences at the University of Manitoba to become a paleontologist.

“Congrats to everyone who made it. I’m proud of everyone. We all did good. We all made it!”