The final countdown is on.
In a few short weeks, the last graduating class from the current Jasper Junior/Senior High School will roam the hallways, soaking in the memories of six years of hard work and play, for one last time.
Those students—all 26 of them—mark the end of an era for the school.
Soon, when the new joint school facility is completed, the old school will be demolished, leaving behind an empty piece of land.
During their cap and gown ceremony, May 30, the students were encouraged to return home next fall, to walk the halls of the brand new school.
“It’s yours too,” said school trustee, Betsy DeClercq. “Your grad pictures will be waiting on the walls for you.”
Coun. Vonna Arsenault echoed that sentiment in her address, saying, “I myself graduated from this school, as well as many before me and many after me. While touring the hallways the other day, I checked out the pictures dating from 1942 and noted that there’s no more room for anymore pictures in the hall—so we had to build a new school.
“Just joking,” she said with a grin, rousing laughter from the crowd.
This year’s class of graduates chose “The Final Countdown” as their graduation song, signalling the end of the their high school education and the demise of their school.
In her valedictorian address, Breanne Rodwell acknowledged the state of the school, joking about the falling ceiling tiles in the gym and the students’ luck that one hasn’t yet fallen on their heads. But she also acknowledged the importance of the building to each student who’s walked its halls.
“Although our school is crumbling and way past its expiry date, I’m actually going to miss this building when this year comes to a close. This building embodies many memories. This is the building where many lessons were taught and learned—and not just the lessons that you learn in class, but the legitimate life lessons that we will carry with us forever,” she said.
“I dread that final day of school just as much as I wish it was tomorrow. That day will represent the end of our youth and the beginning of our journey into maturity. I hope we all cherish these last moments together in familiarity because in a few short weeks high school will be a thing of the past.”
As they commence into adulthood, the students received many pieces of advice last week.
Jaymes Schmidt, the 2014 grad president, advised his fellow classmates to be the change, and encouraged them to remain cynical, to continue asking questions and expressing their morals with valid arguments.
DeClercq encouraged the students to take risks, strive for excellence, influence the world, speak out for justice and equality, vote, care for the environment and to approach life with enthusiasm.
And with those words of advice, and many others from friends, family and teachers, the students went off to enjoy their graduation weekend, first with a tea at the school, then with a barbecue at the airfield and finally with a dinner and dance at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
Nicole Veerman
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