PREECEVILLE - The Preeceville School honoured nineteen graduates in a special outdoor ceremony that featured presentation of scrolls and scholarship awards on June 17.
The graduates, their parents and family members gathered at Annie Laurie Lake for a fun day of family photographs and a scroll presentation.
Families gathered on the bleachers in support of each graduate. Graduates were escorted to the stage area by their parents.
Members of the 2022 graduating class were, Lexluv Acosta, Kiera Balyski, Evan Bochnuik, Kyle Chopty, Chloe Chornomitz, Eric Dodge, Katryna Englot, Trever Geistlinger, Kolby Johannesson, Tyrell Karpyk, Hannah Kidder, Merlin Kovacs, Tanesha Nelson, Jillian Newton, Cody Prestie, Kent Scheller, Justen Strand, Jakob Turchinetz and Caden Worobetz.
The program kicked off with the introduction of each graduate and their parents, who escorted them to the stage area.
Hannah Kidder was escorted by her parents George and Michelle Kidder. In the fall, Hannah will move to Saskatoon, with the goal of someday becoming a pediatrician so she can help sick children just like her.
Lexluv Acosta was escorted by his parents Alexander and Jennifer Acosta. After high school Lexluv plans to attend the University of Regina to become a travelling nurse.
Kiera Balyski was escorted by her parents Chris and Amanda Balyski. In the fall, Kiera plans to attend the Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Saskatoon where she is conditionally accepted into the Business Program and hopes to pursue a career in the accounting or marketing field.
Evan Bochnuik was escorted by his parents Earl and Doreen Bochnuik. After school, Evan plans to go to the pipeline to be a welder's helper for the summer, and then move forward with a career in welding.
Kyle Chopty was escorted by his parents Leona and Leonard Chopty. Kyle's plans after high school are to pursue a career in the automotive industry in hopes of one day opening his own shop in Preeceville.
Chloe Chornomitz was escorted by her parents Dallas and Tammy Chornomitz. Since finishing her Grade 12 classes in January, Chloe has been working as a dental assistant in Preeceville and Canora. She plans to continue working with the dental office along with pursuing her education in dental assisting.
Eric Dodge was escorted by his parents Bill Dodge and Sherry Joanette. Eric has been accepted into the University of Saskatchewan with a $3,000 entrance scholarship where he will pursue a bachelor's degree in biomedical neuroscience.
Katryna Englot was escorted by her mother Lanette Englot, and after grduation she plans on atending the University of Saskatchewan to work towards a degree in agricultural and bioresourses.
Trever Geistlinger was escorted by his parents Russell and Shannon Geistlinger, and has been accepted into the power engineering technician program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic this fall.
Kolby Johannesson was escorted to his parents Morley and Amanda Johannesson, and has completed his Grade 12 classes in January and is already working in the logging industry.
Tyrell Karpyk was escorted by his parents Kristy and Tim Belous, and he will he attending Moosejaw Sask Polytech in the automobile techician course.
Merlin Kovacs was escorted by his parents, Marc and Monica Kovacs, and will be seeking employment in the workforce.
Tanesha Nelson was escorted by her aunt and uncle, Jerrica and Andrew Jacquemart, and will work for a bit before deciding on her future.
Jillian Newton was escorted by her parents Lori and Darin Newton, and has been accepted into the University of Saskatchewan College of Arts and Science for Biomedical Sciences. She moves to Saskatoon next fall.
Cody Prestie was escorted by his parents Roger and Shannon Prestie. After graduation, his plans are to work for the first year before attending post-secondary school with the hopes of becoming a heavy-duty mechanic.
Kent Scheller was escorted by his parents James and Renaye Scheller, and is currently employed by Bileski’s Vac service driving truck. He plans to go to Carlton Trail College in Humboldt this fall to obtain his class 1A drivers license and expand his career options. Kent’s future dream is to one day take over the family trucking company Scheller Transport.
Justen Strand was escorted by his parents Jeff and Rose Marie Strand, and after school, Justen plans to work for a year or two while he decides what career to pursue.
Jakob Turchinetz was escorted by his parents Wayne Turchinetz and Trisha Kosheluk, and he is currently working on a farm with cattle.
Caden Worobetz was escorted by his parents Amber Strijak and Lonnie Worobetz. After school, Caden plans to work around Preeceville to make some money and then, in time, go to school for a better job.
A recording of O Canada was followed by the reciting of the treaty recognition statement.
Bill Dodge was the guest speaker and Katryna Englot was the graduating class valedictorian.
Chris Balyski gave the Good Spirit School Division Board address.
“Over the past two years, you have heard many people use the phrase ‘Unprecedented times.’ Unprecedented is defined as never done before or known before. You are group of graduates who likely entered the pandemic as Grade 10 students. I’m certain that when the conclusion of your grade 10 year was interrupted by COVID-19, many of you would not have predicted that you would spend the next two years masking, learning in cohorts, social distancing, participating in online learning during school closures, and missing out on field trips and extra-curricular events. Each of you were thrown into a storm of uncertainty and loss but you preserved and made it. The diplomas you receive today signify everything that you have completed, all of the academic requirements for graduating, but understand they embody much more. I encourage you to continue setting goals for yourself, be the inspiration to the world around you, pursue your dreams, set high expectations and be mindful of the people who have helped shape who you are and who you will become,” said Balyski.
Doug King, principal, was assisted by Leslea Hanson, vice-principal and Mark Forsythe, Superintendent of School Operations for GSSD, presented the graduation scrolls.
The program concluded with a grand march of graduates and their escorts.
