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BCHS 2018 graduation

The 2018 graduating class of Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS) each received their golden ticket and unlike the children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl this ticket will give the students more than a chance than to have a l
Daniel Schiller performing Good Riddance as part of the graduation choir.
Daniel Schiller performing Good Riddance as part of the graduation choir.

The 2018 graduating class of Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS) each received their golden ticket and unlike the children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl this ticket will give the students more than a chance than to have a lifetime of chocolate.

The various guest speakers told the 119-strong graduation class during the June 29 ceremony at the Barrhead Agrena that the education they received at BCHS would open doors to opportunities they had not even fathomed.

Pembina Hills Public Schools (PHPS) Supt. David Garbutt said the education they received is the ticket that has prepared them to open the door on an ever-changing world.

“Not so long ago people had to memorize phone numbers, develop film to get pictures, do research by digging through encyclopedias and communicate with your voices rather than your thumbs,” he said, adding they would have numerous successes throughout their lives.

Garbutt urged students to not be afraid of challenges and failure because it is by going through adversity that a person builds character and that one learns more from losing than their triumphs.

Garbutt noted many of the graduates would go on to pursue additional post-secondary training and earn various certifications, diplomas or degrees.

“These can be important documents as you go on to pursue careers, but you will find that attributes such as adaptability, dedication and a resilient attitude which will allow you to succeed,” he said.

However, Garbutt said as they continued on with their lives he said they would find that the most important thing in life was not the accreditations or items they had accumulated over time, but relationships.

“They take work, probably the hardest work you will ever do, but inevitably it is relationships that enable you to fulfill a rewarding life,” he said. “When you leave this world your stuff gets inherited or sold. It is your legacy that lives on which are built through relationships.”

Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken told graduates while their education will open doors, it is the choices they make that will determine the course of their lives.

“Start on a path and see where life will take you and no matter what life throws at you don’t be a victim of your circumstances, but remember you will be a product of all of your choices,” he said.

PHPS board chair Jennifer Tuininga agreed, saying a BCHS diploma is a ticket that will open a lot of doors and it is up to students to walk through the right one.

“Receiving the golden ticket is only part of it. You need to determine a path,” she said, adding in Dahl’s book four of the children who won golden tickets ended up making poor decisions resulting in disastrous results.

Tuininga added it was only because of the upbringing of the book’s protagonist Charlie Bucket that he was able to make the right decisions that ultimately result in him being gifted the chocolate factory.

“Our motto at Pembina Hills is “Together We Learn” and together we want to celebrate what it took for you to walk this stage today and the people supported you along that path. Going forward support yourself with people that will support you in your endeavors and pick you up when you stumble and fall.”

Class valedictorian Karlyna Gelderman congratulated her fellow classmates saying high school is not easy and graduation is an accomplishment worth celebrating.

“Beyond this point, we are all going our different ways, each unique and it won’t be easy, but we all have the ability to walk that path no matter where it leads us,” she said. “This is your life to live and these are your choices to make and this is your future so make the most of it.”


Barry Kerton

About the Author: Barry Kerton

Barry Kerton is the managing editor of the Barrhead Leader, joining the paper in 2014. He covers news, municipal politics and sports.
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