Pleased to attend graduation ceremonies

Summer has arrived and with it the festivals, barbecues, and summer vacation, but at the end of every school year it is report card time for teachers, field trips for the kids, and celebrations on completing another year of learning.

The culmination of our public education is always the goal of your high school graduation. I was very pleased to attend the graduation ceremonies for the high schools in Transcona, watching these young adults, about to launch into the next phase of life. It was enjoyable seeing the enthusiasm on these fresh-faced youths about to embark on their next adventure.

As I scanned the crowd of parents I noticed a lot of cell phones at the ready, prepared to capture that second when my child is called up.

Watching the students during the awards presentation, I noticed some twitching feet and nervous glances as they wondered "might my name be called?" I well remember back at the Murdoch MacKay grad of 1980, the utter shock and delight that my name was called for an award. I will never forget that moment and it was in my mind when I was very proud to hand the Blair Yakimoski MLA Scholarship to four very deserving students two weeks ago.

All the students had to achieve good grades, as well as being involved in school activities, of good character and leadership skills.

Keeley Wiebe from Calvin Christian is very involved in the creative visual arts and is looking to enhance her natural gift in the Fine Arts Program at the University of Manitoba this fall.

Sabrina Simmonds, from Transcona Collegiate who was described by her teacher as being very adventurous in the arts and willing to explore new and unfamiliar art media, is also attending the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Alexi Slobodian from Collège Pierre Elliot Trudeau who is attending the University of Manitoba and hoping to study psychology with a goal to be a teacher someday.

Reanne Dorvault was the recipient from Murdoch MacKay and is looking to attend Red River in the fall to further her studies.

If you know these new graduates, please join me in offering congratulations to all of them and good luck in all that life after high school has to offer.