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100 Summerland students receive diplomas

High school held graduation ceremony on Friday
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TOP ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT Sunveer Dhaliwal received his diploma from Principal Alan Stel. Dhaliwal also received the Fudge Scholarship, given to the top academic graduate.

Grade 12 students from Summerland Secondary School received their high school diplomas, awards and bursaries at the school leaving exercises on Friday.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Summerland Arena, with 100 students graduating.

“You’re surrounded by all the important people in your life,” Principal Alan Stel told the students. “Cherish these memories and these friendships.”

Tarie Rempel, a certified teacher assistant who runs the school cafeteria, was the guest speaker.

“I love you, but get out,” she told the graduates, repeating a phrase she has used many times over the years.

She added that the graduating students have received plenty of support from the community over the years.

“And look at them now. They turned out amazing,” she said.

Valedictorians Claire Kenzie and Ethan Freistadt reflected on their experiences during high school.

“It was nothing like High School Musical,” Freistadt said, remembering the changes and adjustments over the years, and the decisions the students had to make during their final year.

“This year has gone by so fast,” Kenzie added.

While the graduation ceremony marked their high school achievements, it also signifies a transition, Freistadt said.

“We won’t be seeing each other every day anymore,” Freidstadt said. “It’s sad to think this is the last time we will see ourselves as a collective.”

Kezie said the next two months will be an opportunity for the graduating students to spend time together as a class.

The graduates had a dry grad event following their graduation exercises, including a whitewater rafting trip in Lytton.

In September, many will attend college or university away from the community, or will spend time travelling.

The graduating students received bursaries from numerous community groups and organizations.

This year, around $120,000 in bursary funding was presented to the students.

In addition, some of the students have received scholarship offers from colleges and universities, with some coming to tens of thousands of dollars.

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GUEST SPEAKER Tarie Rempel, who runs the cafeteria at Summerland Secondary School, was the guest speaker.
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HATS OFF Graduates tossed their hats at the end of the ceremonies on Friday
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HIGH SCHOOL DIPLMA Katilyn Nightingale receives her diploma from Principal Alan Stel.
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ON PARADE A procession of graduating students, some in cars and trucks, some on quads and some in a horse-drawn carriage, paraded through the downtown core on Thursday evening.
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ON PARADE A procession of graduating students, some in cars and trucks, some on quads and some in a horse-drawn carriage, paraded through the downtown core on Thursday evening.
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HATS OFF Graduating students tossed their hats following the school leaving ceremonies on Friday. The graduation event was held at the Summerland Arena as 100 students received their high school diplomas.
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GRAD PROCESSION Students entered the arena ready to receive their diplomas. In addition, students received awards, bursaries and scholarships.


John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
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