Mark completion
Former city councillor, John B. Perry, is this year’s veteran adopted into graduating class
Three Oaks Senior High School in Summerside handed over diplomas to 218 students on graduation night.
The Three Oaks Senior High School class of 2018 took their first steps into a much larger world Thursday night. Staff and students, friends and family celebrated as 218 young people crossed the stage to accept their diplomas and awards. School principal Jeff Clow encouraged his students to savour the moment before readying themselves for the challenges to come. He told them he had little doubt as to their ability to face what may come and encouraged them to do so with their “head held high and your heart wide open.” He also told them to strive for excellence in whatever they decide to do. “It’s not enough to get by in life, that doesn’t move the world forward. You must try and excel in anything you do. Strive for excellence in every task, large or small,” he said. Amidst the many awards handed out during the evening’s ceremony, which was held at Credit Union Place in the Eastlink arena, was the traditional adoption of a veteran into the graduating class. This year’s adoptee, who received an honoury diploma, was John B. Perry. The long-time Summerside resident is a former city councillor, avid volunteer, Royal Canadian Legion member and one of eight brothers who served in the Armed Forces. Perry ‘s granddaughter, Kylie Casey, presented him with his diploma shortly before she walked across the stage to collect her own. Speaking prior to the ceremony, Josh Murray, the 2018 class valedictorian, said he was nervous to give his speech, but excited for his classmates to start a new chapter in their lives. “It’s a little nerve-racking for sure though. There’s a lot of people watching me, there’s a lot of pressure on me. But I feel like I’ll make the class proud … I got this.” As for what was to come after the speech, Murray said he plans to apply to become an RCMP officer.