The DRCSS celebrated its Class of 2022, with its annual convocation, Saturday, which saw 106 students receiving their diplomas.
Sam Kopecky was this year’s valedictorian.
After opening his speech by thanking everyone for joining the graduating class in celebrating their accomplishments, Kopecky called Saturday’s convocation a day all students have been looking forward to.
“Today we are celebrating a new beginning. Today we are celebrating us,” he said. “In the past four years I’ve gained a lot of memories with all of you. Even through the rough times of COVID-19.”
Kopecky spoke about his favourite part of the curriculum when he entered the DRCSS in Grade 9, the vocational rotation.
“Others enjoyed different things in Grade 9, but I think what we have in common is that many friendships and memories were made within these walls,” he added.
Grade 10, he said, started out okay, but took an unexpected turn when with the school closing because of COVID.
“Life can be like that sometimes. You’re going along in one direction, minding your own business and then something happens to make you change direction. How you handle the unexpected is an important part of life,” he stated. “Grade 10 was cut short, but many good times were had. One of my favourite memories is when we almost blew up a battery on Mr. Cassavant’s lawnmower.”
Grade 11 did not start off that badly, Kopecky said, with classes only two days a week.
“But hey, at least we got to come to school,” he said, adding COVID restrictions made a lot of things more difficult. So many rules, so many masks, so much hand sanitizer. “As the year went on, I think we just tried to make the best of it. The best part for me had to be the Fridays I spent in automotive just working on little projects and breaking some bolts with a friend in engines class. Sorry, Mr. Fee,” Kopecky said.
Finally, there was Grade 12, which Kopecky said was the best year of high school.
“At least for me. The COVID restrictions came down and we were able to come to school every day. School seemed more normal. Countless memories were made both in class and out of it,” he said. “The road to get here has been filled with potholes. Some of those potholes have been small, but others have been life changing. As we go out into the world, we will experience more of life’s potholes. We can’t avoid them all.”
Kopecky concluded by thanking all the people who made the day possible and who made such an important impact on the students’ lives.
“We wouldn’t have gotten this far without our families, teachers and friends,” he said. “And always remember life’s a journey, watch out for potholes.”
Thanks to the generosity of local supporters, 42 students were recognized with over 100 scholarships totalling over $90,000.
A list of this year’s scholarship recipients will appear in the next edition of the Dauphin Herald.