School's out... forever

Twelve years ago, Windsor School kindergarten teacher Doris Gietz bid farewell to the Class of 2017.

Today, Free Press readers get their chance to say goodbye to that same remarkable group of kids, a single class of students whose progress we’ve been tracking from snack time in kindergarten to graduation gowns in Grade 12.

It’s been a memorable journey — and Free Press readers have been along for the ride as, year after year, we’ve watched these young scholars move from pigtails and toothless grins to timetables, tests and gender dynamics.

Over the last 13 years, our readers have enjoyed front-row seats as the class has endured the roller-coaster ride of kindergarten, elementary school, junior high and, finally, the packed halls of Glenlawn Collegiate Institute, one of the biggest high schools in the province.

They have experienced exam stress, bullying, making and losing friends. There were victories and defeats in hockey arenas and gymnasiums.

They checked off life milestones — first dates, first jobs, and the unfettered joy that comes when, at long last, they earned their driver’s licences.

Tragically, there was also a lesson no young person should ever have to learn — dealing with the death of someone their own age, a 14-year-old student who lost her courageous battle with cancer in 2015.

This tumultuous journey ended — and a new adventure began — last month when the class stepped onto a stage at RBC Convention Centre, a veritable sea of red in Glenlawn’s vibrant caps and gowns, to receive their long-awaited Grade 12 diplomas.

For Gietz, who started the class on their long, winding academic journey way back in kindergarten in 2004 at nearby Windsor School, it’s hard to believe 13 years have flown by so quickly.

"I knew Grade 12 was coming, and they were the Class of 2017," says Gietz, who now teaches grades 1 and 2 students at St. Vital’s Samuel Burland School.

"I’ve kept up with the stories every year, always keeping track of the ones that were part of my original class.

"I’ve had a few classes now that have graduated. There’s that sense of, ‘Wow! How did we get here?’"

Gietz, 55, says she always gets a little misty-eyed reading the yearly instalments of the series.

"I loved getting a once-a-year update about what’s happening in their lives," she says.

"Just being able to see some of that growth and real life and that openness to talk about their struggles and difficulties.

"It was nice to see that in the newspaper. It gives everybody, parents and teachers, a chance to reflect on how complicated kids can be and how resilient they can be.

"They’ve had some difficult situations to deal with, but they still have that positive attitude."

No one has to remind 17-year-old Naomi about how hard it can be to cope in the stress-filled halls of high school.

When she arrived at Glenlawn in Grade 9, Naomi admitted to being petrified, and last year, at the end of Grade 11, she bravely shared her personal battle with the twin demons of anxiety and depression.

"There were parents who, as soon as that story came out, came up to me and said: ‘We’re so happy you said this. It’s really helped our kids. You’re so brave,’" Naomi recalls. "But I didn’t do it to get attention. My goal was to share my story and tell other people that I was struggling with a mental illness, and you don’t have to suffer in silence."

Her first years at Glenlawn, a sprawling 1,229-student collegiate at the corner of St. Mary’s Road and Fermor Avenue, were difficult, but this year Naomi became a budding mental-health activist, helping to organize activities for Mental Health Awareness Week.

"Each day we had a new theme," she says, the words spilling out with obvious excitement. "I did things I never thought I could have done — like a video of teachers and students sharing their stories. We spent a week filming... People who have never said anything to me before came up and said, ‘Hey, I’m struggling, too.’"

She understands she’s in a life-long fight to maintain her emotional well-being. "No matter what you do, you’re never totally rid of it," she explains. "You go through waves, up and down, of three to four weeks at a time.

"It’s always going to be a problem. I’m always going to struggle with it, but I’m doing good."

This year, she took psychology as one of her Grade 12 electives, and it led to a major life decision.

"I was actually really scared to take it, but it was a really fascinating course," Naomi says during an interview in the school’s main office on a sunny day in the final weeks of her final year in high school.

"It led me to what I want to do after high school, and that’s psychology. That was a big moment for me. I’m interested in research from a psychological standpoint."

Her plan is to take a year off — "I’m so done with school it’s not even funny. I don’t want to be in university at 17" — before enrolling in psychology classes at the University of Winnipeg.

Naomi’s biggest joy comes from talking about her younger brother, Jordan, 15, who just finished Grade 10. "He’s an amazing kid still," she says of Jordan, who had his right foot amputated three years ago in the wake of a string of surgeries to correct a longtime disability.

"He was just in Montreal for a sledge hockey camp that was pretty much tryouts for the development team for Canada. It’s been three years now, and he has friends, a life. I haven’t seen him this happy in years."

In a rare quiet moment, she salutes Glenlawn and its staff for going beyond the call of duty to help her cope with the darkness of depression and anxiety.

"The school was absolutely amazing," Naomi says. "Student services people, if you have a problem, go talk to them. Christine Stephenson (Glenlawn’s student services teacher for Grade 12) has done more than any other teacher has ever done for me. She got me through Grade 10. She’s the most amazing person."

Later, Stephenson smiles warmly when told of Naomi’s heartfelt words. "It’s hard to believe when you see them at graduation that these were the kids that were the Grade 9s and so young a few years ago," she says. "They’re excited all year long, because this is it. They’re thinking about what they’re going to do after high school. They’re always thinking about the next step.

"It’s a bittersweet time. These are students you get very attached to. But it’s such an exciting time for them to be launching into their next phase."

The students need 30 credits over their four high school years to graduate, with the average student taking seven courses in grades 11 and 12.

In their final year, they take three mandatory core subjects — English, math and physical education — and four electives.

Those electives can include everything from advanced art placement to pre-engineering to cinema as witness to history to global issues and law.

Studying law was one of several highlights this year for Quinn, who turns 18 in July and has his sights set on attending the U of W before pursuing a career in law enforcement.

"It (the law elective) is good, especially because I want to go for a criminal justice degree," explains Quinn, a man of few words who has grown far more comfortable sharing his personal opinions over the years.

"Honestly, I don’t know exactly what I want to do," he says. "I just want to do something in law enforcement. I’ve always been interested in the detector-dog program, the dogs that sniff out drugs. I’d like to work with the dogs. Who doesn’t like dogs? A couple of years ago, I volunteered at the Winnipeg Humane Society."

It’s quite a change for a young man who, over the years, has expressed interest in becoming everything from a vet to a volleyball coach to a pottery teacher.

Another highlight for Quinn, whose younger brother, Ethan, just finished Grade 10, was having a short story, entitled Not Your Fault, published in Ignite, Glenlawn’s literary arts journal.

"I’m pretty excited about it," he says. "It’s my first published work. I’ve always liked to write short stories, but I’ve never had one published before. It’s a romantic tragedy, I guess. In a nutshell, it deals with high school issues... and mental-health issues. There’s romance in there, too."

He’s also proud of landing his first real job. He’s a cashier and post office person at a Rexall Pharma Plus.

He becomes reflective when asked last month his feelings about graduating. "I haven’t really thought about it," he begins. "I think what I’m going to miss the most about Glenlawn... when I go to the U of W it’ll be huge, and I’ll be a sheep in the crowd. I’ll miss how close and united the school was and the great spirit they have."

When Sydney, 17, bursts into the interview room in the main office to chat with the Free Press, it’s impossible to miss her ear-splitting smile.

"There was a baby bunny in my art class, and I was just petting it, so I’m really happy," Sydney confesses, giggling.

Once again for Sydney, the school year was largely about volleyball and more volleyball. She made the varsity girls’ squad in Grade 10, and this year was named team captain.

"We got second in our conference this season," she says. "It was an OK year. I’ve committed to the University of Manitoba to play volleyball. I’m going to play for the Bisons next year."

When she wasn’t playing for the Glenlawn Lions, she was busy playing club volleyball for the Under 18 Bisons team at the U of M, where she plans to enroll at the Asper School of Business.

"I’m not sure exactly what I want to go into, but maybe personal finance or entrepreneurship," she says. "My dad owns his own business and my mom is in real estate, so I like the idea of working for myself and being my own boss."

She says she’ll miss seeing her high school friends every day, along with being part of the Class of 2017 series each year.

"It’s crazy how it’s gone by so fast," she says. "My parents and my family have loved it (the Class of 2017) and I’ve learned to appreciate it, too."

Ever since she spurned a trip to Disneyland in 2011 to visit the slums of Nairobi, where she helped launch an initiative to raise cash to buy filters to provide access to clean water, we’ve described 17-year-old Aby as "the conscience of the Class of 2017."

Last year, the highlight was a two-month trip to an elite school on the Japanese island of Shikoku, where Aby learned about Japan’s language and culture and performed with an elite drumming club.

This year, the focus was on academics, including law, working part-time as a server, and playing flute in the school’s concert band.

"I did all my hard courses in first semester, the maths and sciences," says Aby, whose maturity has always belied her youth. "I knew in second semester I’d be focused on getting ready for university."

Her plan is to attend Providence University College, one of Canada’s foremost Christian universities, in Otterburne. "My family has gone there for years," she notes. "It’s a family tradition, and I’ve always wanted to go there. I’m taking international studies focused on NGOs (non-governmental organizations) for the first year. I’ll be living in dorms at Providence.

"I don’t have a set job description that I want, but I know what I’m interested in. I know I have leadership and management qualities. I can get things done. Whatever comes, I don’t know."

She’ll likely work for, or start, an NGO. Asked how she’s changed since her days as one of the original kindergarten kids at Windsor, this thoughtful young woman laughs and says: "I don’t cry all the time. That’s a major one. I’m a thoughtful kid."

It’s a bittersweet reference to how, in 2015, Aby had tears streaming down her face as she sat with a Free Press columnist and talked about the agony of losing her best friend, 14-year-old Grade 9 student Camryn Guenther, to cancer.

Her ties to Camryn’s family remain strong as she works part-time as a server for a catering firm owned by her late friend’s parents. Aby delivered an emotional speech about the role of parents at convocation, and invited Camryn’s mother and father to attend.

"They’re another set of parents to me," she explains. "It’s just natural. I feel like they’d be proud."

A one-time basketball and volleyball player, Hailey, 17, doesn’t hesitate when asked what she’s going to miss about high school.

From the moment she arrived in Grade 9, Hailey’s happy place has been the school’s music room, playing alto sax in everything from the concert band and wind ensemble to the senior jazz band.

"I’ve been playing it (alto sax) since the sixth grade," she points out. "It was the only thing I could make a sound on. There are some things I’ll miss — the band program mainly and the people who come with it. That’s been the biggest part of my high school experience.

"I was outgrowing sports, and I felt better in the music program. It’s where I found most of my friends and felt most comfortable."

Currently working part-time as a server at the Canoe Club, she plans to take a year off and spend 2018 travelling with a close friend. "We’re thinking Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia," she says. "We’d like to go to a couple of different places in Asia. If you’re going to take a year off, you might as well do something for yourself.

"Going straight into university is just following the same path. You need time to sort yourself out. I don’t know what path I’d like to follow. I think I’d like to work with adults or children with disabilities, but that might change."

Like many other members of the class, she’s leaving the school a legacy, her younger brother, Ben, who just finished his second year. "He gets two years by himself," Hailey says, laughing. "I think he’ll be fine. He prefers not to associate with me at school."

At the grad ceremony, the students were allowed to cross the stage while a recording of a favourite quotation or message played in the background.

Hailey chose this quote from James Frey’s book A Million Little Pieces: "Let things be, let yourself be, let everything be and accept it as it is. Nothing more. Nothing less."

Always the unofficial class clown — and class philosopher as well — Noah, 17, one of 10 members of the class who started out in Ms. Gietz’s kindergarten class at Windsor, says Grade 12 marked arguably his finest and busiest year on the planet.

"Grade 12 was one of the best years so far, no doubt," says Noah, whose outgoing personality and sense of humour have made him a favourite among students and staff. "I’m proud of where I stand in the social ladder, not bragging or anything.

"The cool thing about Grade 11 was getting all that freedom — new job, a driver’s licence. The cool thing about Grade 12 was I kind of found out how to maximize all these new toys. It’s been the most fun, inside and outside of school."

In Grade 9, Noah found fame by portraying Arthur the Lion, Glenlawn’s official mascot, but he has since handed the sweltering furry costume to a younger student. "I’m thankful for the experience, but there were other things that were more important," he says.

Inside school, he was busy playing trombone and tuba in school bands. "I like making big noises and having important parts in the band," he says. "You can’t have an ensemble without a tuba."

A stagehand last year for the school musical, this year he graduated to assistant crew chief. "I was second in command back stage in charge of lots of stuff," he says. "I did like that. The director reached out to me, and I couldn’t refuse that."

He also dabbled in school politics, becoming a member of student council’s fundraising subcommittee. "We made up fundraisers and planned and executed them," he explains. "We did cool things like a hash browns sale. It made a lot of money."

A natural showman, Noah also agreed to be MC for Spirit Week. "We called out the events and got people hyped up as best I could and kind of ran the show," he declares. "I felt I was in my element. You gotta get out there and yell and go super wild."

He’s already been accepted at the U of W, but is unsure about when he’ll enroll. "I’m leaning toward the Faculty of Education and being a teacher, but I don’t know."

Right now he’s just enjoying his job as a swimming instructor and lifeguard at several city swimming pools. "I think my job is so awesome," he says. "It could be a viable option to take some time off and work for awhile. I’m definitely going to university; I just don’t know when I should do that."

There’s no doubt Noah exudes more maturity and confidence than ever before. Does he think he’s changed? "More of me has stayed the same than changed," he finally decides. "It’s just more refined and more intelligent. I’m still a dumb kid. We’re still young people with lots to learn."

As the school year drew to an end, and most of the class were pondering life in university, Thomas, 17, was wrapping up the Successful Futures work-experience program, designed for kids with goals other than college.

His dream is to own and operate his own auto mechanics shop, which might mean spending some time at Red River College or the Arts and Technical Centre.

"There’s a mechanics course I want to take," Thomas says. "I think it’s just engine diagnostics and repair. I want to get an apprenticeship. I’d like to find an automotive shop that would take me and work up my apprenticeship levels and get my Red Seal certificate, the furthest I can go. It would make me qualified to work at any shop."

He knows he’s chosen a different path than the rest of the class.

"Not a lot of people want to do this," he confides. "It’s not as rewarding right away as taking a four-year university course.

"I just see it differently. I see it the way they see going to university. I just see it as my future. I’ve always loved working on cars. I’d love to have my own small business and work on cars all day. I just don’t want to end up hating my job."

For the moment, he’s happy with a part-time position at Canadian Tire.

"I worked under one of the mechanics. That was really good. The people I work with are a lot of fun, so it made the environment relaxed and engaging.

"I’m still there because they offered me a job. I don’t work as a mechanic. I’m a shop cleaner. I do tires occasionally, brakes, anything they want me to do. I enjoy doing it."

It will be especially hard for Free Press readers to say farewell to flame-haired Griffin, who turns 18 in August and has become renowned for his love of both hockey and his disabled younger brother, Tyler.

Several years ago, while at Windsor School, a photo of Griffin gently carrying Tyler over his shoulder touched the hearts of readers and prompted them to open their wallets and donate to help build the school’s new accessible play structure.

At the June 26 grad ceremonies, the parents of several members of the class said that powerful image of brotherly love, taken by Free Press photographer Ruth Bonneville, was the defining moment of the entire 13-year series.

"I feel it’s pretty cool to be part of this (Class of 2017) project," Griffin says, proudly. "It’s pretty special, a unique opportunity for our parents especially. It’s like a free scrapbook for them. Every year, a nice woman sends me a letter to say something sweet and something to do with Tyler. She really appreciated how the article affected her."

He says his 12-year-old younger brother, who lives with cerebral palsy and just finished Grade 6 at Windsor, has been enjoying a healthy year.

"He’s been doing a lot better recently," Griffin notes. "He was in a web series called Pied! It’s like a documentary based around him and his life and how he’s been doing."

He’ll be working this summer with a special-needs program based out of Glenlawn, and that’s led this hockey-mad young man, who once dreamed of NHL stardom, to a major life decision.

"I’ll be helping plan activities and hanging out with the kids," he says. "I’ve changed my goal now. I want to be a teacher, so I think working with special-education kids will translate very well. It’ll be giving back to the education system and helping bring up the next generation. And who wouldn’t want summers off, too?"

Along with his cousin, Jesse, another Class of 2017 member, Griffin spent the season playing with the Winnipeg Wild provincial Triple A hockey team. Next season, he’s expecting to suit up for the Winkler Flyers in Manitoba’s Junior A hockey league.

What’s more, he got his coaching certificate and helped teach the grades 9-10 rookie team at Glenlawn. "It was definitely cool because it’s something I want to do down the road," he says. "I’ve had so many coaches that have shown me so many things over the years."

Arguably the highlight of the year was playing with Team Manitoba and winning the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship in B.C. "I’m Métis," he says proudly. "I’m the last generation unless I marry someone who is Métis or aboriginal."

Pointing at his red hair, he adds: "I’m the only kid who kept getting ID’d at the tournament. I stick out a lot. We won the gold. It might be the first time in Manitoba aboriginal hockey history that both the boys team and the girls team won gold."

Griffin, whose 15-year-old sister, Emily, also attends Glenlawn, has applied to the U of W and hopes to take online courses while continuing his hockey career.

He says he hasn’t changed much — "I still can’t grow facial hair" — and offered this message for his old kindergarten teacher, Ms. Gietz: "I remember kindergarten. I remember the wooden blocks. They caused a lot of problems. I’m doing all right."

The first new thing you notice about Sarah, one of the older kids in the class at 18, is that she’s rocking her first pair of eyeglasses.

"I was in class and it was hard to read, and I always had headaches, and I went to the doctor and he said, ‘OK, you need glasses,’" Sarah says in her trademark soft tones. "Now I can see, and I don’t have headaches.

"They’re nerdy. I’m a nerd, so I thought I might as well look like one."

It seems hard to imagine, but Sarah became even more passionate about studying art this year. "I was in Advanced Placement Art. It’s basically you have a deadline every 10 days. I had to hand in two art pieces every 10 days.

"I made a Spider-Man painting. I’m really proud of that one because it turned out really well. It’s mostly painting; I’m not good at sculpting. It was on display at an art festival at The Forks."

In both life and art, Sarah says she feels more bold. "I’ve become more adventurous in what I’m willing to do with art, rather than just sticking to what I’m comfortable with," she says.

Oddly, art is not the end goal for this soft-spoken teen. "I’m going to work for a year (she buses tables at a Travel Lodge) and then go to Red River for Animal Health Technology," she confides. "I want to be a veterinary technologist because I love animals. I’ve always been interested in health science, so it seems like a pretty cool job for me."

Her legacy to the school is her younger sister, Amy, who just finished Grade 10. Another sister, Stephanie, starts Grade 9 next year.

Sarah’s graduation quote: "Your time as a caterpillar has expired, your wings are ready." Confides Sarah: "It explains my situation. I’ve never been ready before, but now I’m ready to go."

Arguably no one in the Class of 2017 has changed so dramatically from Ms. Gietz’s kindergarten class as 17-year-old Jesse, who is passionate about everything from hockey to poetry to motivational tapes to animals.

"I used to always agree with people because I was afraid of what other people might think," Jesse says of his younger, more bashful self. "But I’ve learned you have to follow what you think and your dreams."

And that’s exactly what he’s done. He’s committed to self-improvement by working out and listening to motivational tapes. "If you think of stress in a bad way, it’ll turn out bad, but if you think of it in a good way, it’ll push you forward," he points out.

And he’s still pumping out poems. "I wrote a couple of poems this year," he notes. "Most of them got 100 per cent. One was about snowboarding and another was about, um, OK, I can’t remember. I just find it’s a different way of delivering a message to people. It’s kind of like a rap song in the way words roll off."

He’s considering taking a year off to work and travel ("I have family in Dublin, Ireland") before going to the U of M to pursue his dream job — becoming a veterinarian. "I’ve always wanted to be a vet," he says. "I’ve always loved animals."

He played Triple A hockey with cousin Griffin this year, but hit a bump in the road when he broke his left clavicle after ramming into the boards. While the NHL isn’t his future, he hopes to keep playing.

"I might be going to Neepawa to play, and that’s why I might take a year off school," the thickly muscled teen offers. "I know I’ll be playing hockey; I just don’t know where yet."

For the time being, this budding Renaissance man plans to keep working at the legendary Bridge Drive-In. "I’ll be there all summer again," he boasts. "We probably had our busiest day not too long ago. It was a two-hour wait to get ice cream. I was really struggling; it gets really hot in there.

"You’re always on your feet, slipping and sliding around, but I love ice cream and it really helps your personal skills. I never used to look waiters in the eye, but now I do."

While he will never be described as chatty, Garrett, 17, exudes a higher degree of self-confidence and a willingness to share his opinions on life with a nosy journalist.

What hasn’t changed is his slightly cheeky sense of humour. Asked how he’s changed from kindergarten, Garrett grins and states: "I’m in Grade 12 now. That’s how I’ve changed. I’m a year older. I’ve definitely grown a few inches since kindergarten. It’s questionable if I’m smarter."

In Grade 12, his passions once again included power mechanics and cybersecurity, not surprising for a young man who loves everything to do with cars and computers.

He admits he’s even started thinking about his future. "I’m thinking RCMP or something in business," the lanky teen says. "I’ve already been accepted to the U of W and U of M for criminology. I’ll see where life takes me, but I do have plans for further education."

Which is when he points out he’s rocking a much shorter hairstyle. "I don’t have long hair anymore," Garrett confides. "I went for an RCMP camp summer interview, so my mom said it was probably a good idea to have shorter hair."

But that’s far from the only revelation. "I’m Métis now," he states with a sense of pride, pulling out his Manitoba Métis Federation card. "I’m 12.5 per cent Métis. I didn’t know until about three years ago."

Outside of school, video games are being challenged by another, more physical pastime. "I’m pretty involved with airsoft," he says, referring to the burgeoning sport wherein participants blast one another with plastic BBs launched from special non-lethal airsoft guns.

"I’m part of a team," he says, displaying some small bruises on his arms. "You dress up in goofy camo (camouflage). The guns look pretty real. I get to dress like an army dude and run around. That’s pretty much what I do every weekend. It’s that and cars and computers. That’s pretty much my life.

"It’s a good time and it’s a lot of exercise. Really good for hand-eye co-ordination and controlling yourself in stressful situations."

A passionate member of the school choir, Mackenzie, 17, used her alto singing voice to find her niche in the massive St. Vital High School, and the year’s highlight came when they performed recently with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

"I’ve always loved singing," Mackenzie confesses. "It (choir) is at lunchtime so it doesn’t conflict with my other classes. The teachers are super nice. I’ve always loved to sing and choir helps me get it out.

"They’re powerful songs sometimes. I love the BIG musical movements we do, opera-style, old-style. When I graduate, I definitely want to join another choir."

She’s still mulling over her career plans, but says she’ll spend a second year working at Miller’s Meats — "I feel like it’s my family" — to raise money for university. "I’m just not sure what I want to do. I’d rather think it through instead of rushing."

After working for a year, "I’m definitely 100 per cent going to university. I might take some courses at Red River or U of W. Maybe counselling stuff. I’m not sure what I want to do with it, but there’s an applied counselling course my dad talked to me about."

Regular readers of the series will recall Mackenzie came to Windsor School in Grade 5 because she was getting bullied at another elementary school.

"Then I got bullied at Windsor, but people mature," she says, matter of factly.

"When I came to high school, everyone is more mature. It (bullying) is not a thing. There’s some back and forth in the hallways, but it doesn’t matter what kids say about you. There’s never been a serious case of bullying."

Which somehow reminds her of Chris Arnold, one of two grades 7-8 homeroom teachers at Windsor School, who is beloved by members of the Class of 2017.

"Mr. Arnold was by far one of my favourite teachers," Mackenzie says, smiling.

"He knew what he was talking about. I think everyone felt the same way... He was just super helpful."

Like Mackenzie, the highlight of 17-year-old Avery’s final year in high school involved his voice, namely singing in front of the entire school during Spirit Week.

"Me and a few other guys performed R U Mine? by the Arctic Monkeys," Avery recalls of the tune, which features lyrics such as "I go crazy ‘cause here isn’t where I wanna be/And satisfaction feels like a distant memory."

It was a stressful moment, but one filled with joy. "That was fun," the once extremely shy young man says. "I was the singer. I’ve never done that before. I was a little nervous, because there was a lot of kids, but we’d been practising a lot.

"I think it went well, in my opinion. I feel even if I didn’t do that well, I’d still be happy with myself."

In many ways, Avery’s life revolves around music. He once again played French horn in the concert band and wind band, and guitar in the jazz band. "I love playing music," he says with conviction. "It’s a main thing in my life. I’d love to pursue it, but it’s a tough way to make a living."

Instead, he plans to attend the Arts and Technical College with an eye on a job in broadcasting.

"I’m going for broadcast media, the technical side of putting on TV and radio shows," he explains. "I don’t have any preference between TV and radio at this point. It starts next February. Now I just have to start saving up."

To make cash, he’ll be working at the Tuxedo Safeway outlet. "I stack all the fruits and vegetables, among other things," he says.

If Avery sounds more mature, that’s no surprise.

"I feel like almost everything (about me) is different," he says softly. "It would be hard not to. I’m more confident, and I’m more mature. I think about my words now before I say them."

Over the last 13 years, some of the kids in the Class of 2017 have drifted away — 15 of them graduated last month — while a few have found their way back home.

Sadly, Shelby, known to Free Press readers for the vibrant colours she dyed her hair, left Glenlawn this year. School officials don’t know the reasons for her decision.

On a more upbeat note, Julianna, 17, a member of the original kindergarten group, returned to the fold this year. The soft-spoken teen moved to Halifax in Grade 8 for her dad’s work and returned for the same reason.

"I didn’t like it (Halifax) that much," Julianna says when pressed. "It wasn’t home. Winnipeg is a dry cold and Halifax is more of a wet cold. I love Winnipeg. It’s a really friendly place to be. It’s much more accepting than Halifax. I work with a lot of people who are new to Canada, and they always say they love Winnipeg."

Thanks to social media, reconnecting with her old Windsor School friends wasn’t hard. "I kept in contact with Naomi and Sarah, and they helped me adjust," she says. "I don’t know where I’d be without them."

Along with studying English, she’s kept busy with her favourite hobby, crocheting hats, which she sells online. "I carry my stuff with me wherever I go. Over Christmas I made about $500," she says, displaying her crochet needles. "I sell them on Facebook. It’s really easy to sell hats. I get to express my creativity. I’ve made (the Pokemon character) Pikachu and a panda."

Her goal is to study arts at the U of M next year, with an eye toward eventually moving into commerce. "I’m really open to options," she says, adding she’s been working at a couple of stores in Winnipeg’s new outlet mall to raise cash for school.

"I’m excited to go to university. I’ve enjoyed high school. I really liked Glenlawn. There are more options and classes than my last school in Halifax."

Eighteen-year-old Savanna left Windsor School in Grade 4 and moved to Calgary with her mom and sister, while her dad stayed in Winnipeg. In Grade 11, she came back to the city to get her academic career back on track.

"I was having a hard time in school with friend groups and that affected my grades and I was falling behind," she says, bluntly. "We decided I need to get through high school, so I moved back. It was hard at first, but knew it would be better for me. I just kept positive."

Returning to Winnipeg, and the Class of 2017, has yielded positive results. "It’s been good," Savanna says with barely controlled excitement. "I’ve been getting really good grades, much better than I was getting. I have good friends and a lot of family here.

"There’s always the bumps you run into, but that’s part of high school, part of being a teenager. I always know I’ll come out of it stronger." One of those bumps was getting a concussion while playing for the girls rugby team, but that was a minor setback.

The plan now for this talkative teen is to work for a year — "Right now I’m a hostess at the St. Vital Montana’s restaurant" — before taking a residential decorating course at Red River.

"I’m going to be an interior designer," declares Savanna, who also hopes to visit Iceland with her sister in the near future. "I never really knew what I wanted to be, then I started watching all those flip or flop shows and the Property Brothers. I love houses. I just have this weird love of houses and how people decide to decorate their houses. Your house represents your personality."

When she accepted her diploma, her recorded grad "quote" was a tribute to a friend who stood by her when she was bullied in grades 6 and 7.

"He died in a car accident in 2015," she recalls. "My grad quote is along the lines of saying I want to share my accomplishments with him, and I did all this for him because he didn’t make it as far as we did."

The Class of 2017 has travelled a great distance over the last 13 years and now it’s time to say farewell.

Not surprisingly, words fail to convey the weight of our sentiments.

Like surrogate parents, photographer Ruth Bonneville and this columnist are bursting with pride at the remarkable people each of the remaining class members has become.

They’re kind and more sure of their place in the world. Best of all, they’re not done yet.

The biggest adventure is yet to come, and when it comes to the lessons life has to offer, these kids should pass with flying colours.

But we don’t get the final word; that goes to the woman who started them on their journey, kindergarten teacher Doris Gietz, who had the kids paint self-portraits that were used to illustrate the first instalment of this series in 2005.

Here’s her last message to the class: "I would say be kind to others. Be true to yourselves and try everything until you find your passion.

"Each life experience opens you up to a new experience. I think you will also have to be flexible and learn to adapt. Our world is going to be a different place soon.

"And I’d like to leave them of this quote from Dr. Seuss: ‘Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.’"

Now, if you don’t mind, maybe someone could hand us a tissue.

Read more by Doug Speirs.