GRADS OF 2020
We asked students from South Island high schools to share their grad speeches. Read the excerpts below to see their thoughts on the future — and how they feel about about graduating during a pandemic.
Nicklaus Badyal, valedictorian Frances Kelsey Secondary, Mill Bay
When I look at our class, I genuinely feel confident in our future. I don’t mean to brag, but I think we might be one of the best classes in Kelsey history.
Our class is filled with some of the most diverse, talented and intelligent people I know, which is definitely no secret to the teachers, either. Sometimes, we like to give you guys a hard time, yet I think we all look up to you in one way or another. The life lessons you taught will surely stick with us. We are no longer the immature kids you used to know, well, most of us aren’t, anyway!
Thank you on behalf of our class for sticking with us and trying so hard through a pandemic. I do not want to dwell on the fact that our graduation was unfortunately cut short due to COVID19, but I will say this — all of us took on the huge challenge of adapting to online classes in the best ways possible. We pushed through the lack of motivation and self-doubt to come out on top.
Our grad will be immortalized in history, which means so will we. Every single one of you deserves more than this, but I commend you for doing everything you can to make it a good year. Let us make the best of this summer and the years to follow. Wherever you end up, in any form of career, I know each and everyone of you has what it takes to be a leader. I wish you all success. Continue to laugh, celebrate as if you will never be able to leave your house the next day for a year, treat everything like it’s due tomorrow, and don’t ever forget the Kelsey grind.
Marcus McDermand, valedictorian Kwalikum Secondary, Qualicum Beach
Next year: Studying French and mathematics at UVic in preparation for becoming a teacher.
We made it. Despite everything the world has thrown at us, we can still have our various forms of commencement ceremonies: the final stops on our trips through high school, and gateways to the adventure of whatever comes next. Before we pursue our own paths through that adventure, let’s take a look back and revisit … whatever the heck that was.
From our very beginnings, the road to this day has been somewhat rocky, for reasons we don’t remember, but you might. We were born from late 2001 to early 2003, during a time of great change following the Sept. 11 attacks. While the rest of the world tried to figure out their next courses of action, we were learning to crawl, then walk, then run, experiencing the wonders which the world had to offer. Our parents and guardians guided us through these earliest days, ensuring that it was the joys that we learned, and not the chaos surrounding.
As we climbed through elementary school, the world kept moving, with a financial crisis raging in our early years alongside the invention of the smartphone. Together, we grew.
Before we knew it, we had gotten to high school, where we would spend the next several years working our collective rears off. Our eyes gazed into the future, and we started asking ourselves the big questions: Who are we? What do we want to do with our lives? We don’t have provincial exams? New curriculum? What do you mean we have to do a capstone project?!?
The world kept moving. Some days, it moved seamlessly. Other days, it was interrupted — as it was when the pandemic brought our graduate year to a screeching halt. Regardless, we carried on.
And now, here we are, with turmoil to our backs and uncertainty in front of us. Though none of us know what the future holds for us, we made it here. Where else can’t we go?
Jaeden Demelo, class historian Edward Milne Community School, Sooke
Next year: In January. I plan to volunteer in Spain as an English teacher. After that, I hope to go to school to pursue a career in sportscasting.
This year was much different from years past and, I’m sure, as years to come will be. My grad class is graduating after not being at school for the last three months of our high school careers. Under normal circumstances, we would’ve already walked across the stage and grabbed our diplomas at our graduation ceremony, and would’ve been almost time to get all dressed up and go to our prom. Unfortunately, we are not under normal circumstances right now.
Fortunately, our teachers and staff have adapted as best they can in hopes to make our grad year as great as possible in these times. Like in years past, we had a grad spirit week, but a little different as we sent in our pictures from home of us wearing our “quarantine fit” or grad wear and a few other fun outfits for a week. Some teachers put together a video on YouTube for us to watch. We sent in questions about our grad class, then joined teams to play via video chat.
Although our grad class hasn’t had the same end of Grade 12 as past classes, we were very fortunate to still be able to walk across the stage. The class was put into groups of 20 and allowed to wear our cap and gowns and grab our diplomas as we crossed the stage, and a year-end video was made to celebrate.
The graduating class of 2020, not only at EMCS but over the world, will be connected because of these very unique and rare circumstances.
Maxine O’Leary, valedictorian Cowichan Secondary, Duncan
Next year: Studying communication studies and playing rugby at Concordia University in Montreal. However, at least the first semester of classes will be done from home.
The future is so uncertain and I know that’s terrifying to a lot of us, Next year was going to be the start of the rest of our lives, Some of us would have moved away to college, Some of us would have left to travel the world, And some of us would have started careers. We may never get to experience a traditional high school graduation, but I know that this year will only make us stronger and we will get through it together. We have to always work together, no one is ever alone, the world has shown its true colours over the past few years and it’s our turn to make a difference. As president Obama said: “No generation has been better positioned to be warriors for justice and remake the world.” We must always do what’s right “Doing what feels good, what’s convenient, what’s easy — that’s how little kids think. Unfortunately, a lot of so-called grown-ups, including some with fancy titles and important jobs, still think that way — which is why things are so screwed up.” I want each and every one of you to live every day to its fullest, we are so honoured and privileged to be able to live the way we do. We are so lucky to be healthy and safe in a world of utter turmoil and we must remember to always stay positive and to love and respect each and every person on this planet equally.
Medea Torgerson, valedictorian Ballenas Secondary, Parksville
Next year: Taking a gap year to work and possibly travel. After that, I plan to study psychology.
My fellow graduates, as we have all come to know after a few months in quarantine talking with our teachers, family and friends on Zoom and Houseparty, this is no ordinary senior year.
Graduating in the midst of a pandemic has taught us to not only keep a tight grasp on the high school memories that we were able to make, but to not take those memories for granted. We are not in full control of our experiences.
If I were able to give my young, naive, 13-year-old self any advice going into high school — although I probably wouldn't listen — it would be to not rush through the last precious moments that we have together because we only ever realized what we have until we no longer have it. This is what real life will be like. We will not always have control over our lives. We need to make the most of what we have and find joy in any scenario.
As we hold onto these memories we must remember to continue moving forward. Although our closure is unique (who knew we would have a drive-thru commencement ceremony), here we stand, our futures ahead of us with boundless opportunity. There will be many milestones in our lives that we can celebrate. Right now we must move forward, with resilience and hope. This experience will unite us and prepare us for our futures.
This next phase of our lives will be an important one. This is the time where we gain true independence and individuality. Within this next decade many of us will be graduating post-secondary, travelling the globe (if we can), getting married, some will be having kids, and so much more.
We are taking a huge leap into adulthood, something we dreamed about as kids, but now seems so intimidating. With this step comes much more responsibility that is now ours. Are we ready? After growing up with this class for the past 13 years, I know full well that we will take it in stride.
Keagan Tait, valedictorian Belmont Secondary, Langford
Next Year: Working in the House of Commons page program and studying political science and public administration at the University of Ottawa.
Even though people like to joke that the grad class of 2020 had the best vision, none of us saw COVID-19 coming. This life-altering event has tried to define our graduation class, or perhaps even our generation; however, I don’t see it this way. To be defined by an event that was out of our control would be to strip us of the recognition we all very much deserve.
While COVID-19 is currently taking away some of our headlines and attention, I believe that the grad class of 2020 will become the group who pushed the boundaries of what was previously known to be possible.
As the true lasting effects of COVID19 are yet to be seen, the student community will need to stay positive and be there to support each other.
The uncertainty of the future right now may seem scary, but it is also an opportunity for us to shape our lives and the world around us. Hard times make strong people with creative solutions.
With the future in our hands, it is up to us to begin making the positive changes we see as necessary in our own lives, our own communities and our own country. This may seem like a daunting task, but I know we’re prepared for the job.
We are the class that had a vision — or, it might even be said, the best vision.