Graduation Ceremony guestspeaker and teacher Jane Mullen said her uncle and a friend ‘recently’ traveled by airplane into the backwoods to land a moose. Ready to return with their large animal, they argued with the pilot – a new one from previous years - that the plane could carry their combined heavy weight. The pilot finally agreed. Shortly after, the plane crashed to the great joy of the passengers, which the pilot couldn’t understand.
Her uncle, said the graduate-chosen speaker with a fake heavily-accented voice, explained their jubilance. “’We got 10 feet further than we got last year.’” The crowd broke out into laughter. Mullen said, “That, graduates, sums up what is a great goal. Whatever you do, make sure when you look back on the last year, every year, “you can say to yourself you’re 10 feet further than you were last year.”
She also advised the graduates – 88 this year - to celebrate their successes, to cut up credit cards that will arrive in the mail and to keep learning and realize their goals.
She also reminded the graduates to remember kindness, tolerance and respect. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, that people will forget what you have done, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Valedictorian Joel Simms, also chosen by the graduates, thanked on their behalf the school staff as well as their parents and other family members.
He had fun teasing with obvious fondness Principal Terry Doucette. He described LRHS as a home, with all homes having some problems. He said the school’s problem is the “tough as nails” principal whose “ugly mug” will be forever etched in his memory. Principal Doucette pretended to grab him.
He then praised and thanked him and staff members for helping the graduates get to this point.
“We are LRHS students for a few years but we will be LRHS family forever.”
Doucette laughed. He said jokingly Simms was more courageous than he thought.
He described this moment as a triumph for not only the graduates, but their family members as well who offered everything from discipline to love over the years.
He also told the graduates to take pride in their accomplishments and continue to use this pride throughout life “to stay on your chosen path.”
He praised their academic achievements in that the collective average is 83.72 per cent with 22 students carrying honours and first class honours into their futures.
“Queens Co. and Nova Scotia is famous for its beacons and lighthouses. No matter where your studies take you, it’s my hope our beacons and lighthouses will draw you back to Nova Scotia.”
About $250,000 in scholarships and bursaries were given out in addition to the certificates and awards.
Liverpool Regional High School Grad - A family forever
Valedictorian Joel Simms said the graduating Class of 2009 and Liverpool Regional High School staff members will always be a family. The ceremony was held June 26. Mark Roberts Photos
An “inspiration” to the Liverpool Regional High School Class of 2009 told the graduates a moose hunting story on June 26.
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