Farewell for now

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This article was published 15/06/2020 (2156 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Local high schools are taking different approaches to graduation celebrations this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At Maples Collegiate (1330 Jefferson Ave.), where around 340 students will be saying farewell, the traditional convocation has been pushed to Oct. 25 followed by a dinner and dance on Oct. 30.

Students were polled by the grad committee to decide how to move forward with graduation plans.

“A lot of us have already bought our grad dresses so it’s something we want to commit to,” Danica Bodino, committee co-chair said.

When reflecting on the past year, Bodino and co-chair Allisther De Castro explained their biggest highlight was last fall’s grade wars event.

“Our colour was red, so everyone in every single one of my classes wore red. And someone even brought a giant red flag in. So we marched into the gym where the pep rally was, with our flag and I felt so unified with everyone,” Bodino said.

“I’m new to the Maples community so I’ve only been with them for a year, but going here to Maples I’ve noticed that they’re a very diverse group of people and I’m really glad that I’m graduating with them. Their spirit can be seen anywhere,” De Castro added.

At R.B. Russell Vocational School (364 Dufferin Ave.), there are about 50 students in this year’s graduating class.

Individual in-person ceremonies will be held on June 23 and 25, along with photo sessions by Lifetouch.

“For a lot of these students they might be the first person from their family to graduate and that is no small feat,” teacher Connor Joseph said. “(Students are) certainly resilient to graduate in a time like this.”

Student Mercedes Normand, who attended Technical Vocational High School in the first semester of this school year, said the highlight of this semester for her was the hairstyling program.

“Lots of hands-on, I got to learn a lot. I think that was probably the best experience for me,” Normand said.

“The teacher — she’s very nice, easy to talk to, because I’m a shy person so it was easy for me to communicate with her.”

Approximately 105 students at St. John’s High School (401 Church Ave.) will celebrate graduation through a virtual convocation, to be held on June 26. The event will feature a memory reel, speeches, and scholarship presentations. The school is looking at hosting a dinner and dance in the fall.

Valedictorian Krancheska Macusi will deliver her speech at convocation, which principal Doug

Taylor said demonstrates hopefulness among students amid a difficult time.

“I believe that what was created out of the pandemic is the belief in dreams. You can dream whatever you want to dream but you have to have goals, and I think this is what (Krancheska) is reflecting,” Taylor said.

Macusi said her speech will focus on the St. John’s community and the relationships that have been built at the school.

“As a high school student at St. John’s, I think it’s really about the relationships that we made there instead of the grades,” Macusi said. “Everybody knows everyone and there’s a common respect and trust for each other.”

One of her favourite memories is participating in the school’s dance group.

“Our teacher really encouraged us about basically performing and living your life the same way you live on stage,” Macusi said, referring to demonstrating your best energy and effort.

Taylor expects the number of students moving on to post-secondary education will be high, as the number has continued to grow over the years. Three years ago, only 16 out of 100 students pursued post-secondary education; last year that number rose to 62 out of 100.

“We know that there are challenges in this community, but you see and hear students thinking about tomorrow, thinking about what their dreams could become.”