Not even the heat could bring down the celebratory mood as ten of Boston Bar Elementary and Secondary School’s (BBESS) students received their Dogwood diplomas last Saturday (June 8) — the most graduates the school has seen take to the stage in a few years.
BBESS’s graduating class of 2024 — Ethan Angus, Presley Burger, Julianna Campbell, Caelan Chernove, Jaida-Lynn Conway, Layla Isaac, Lexus Lavigne, Nathan O’Donaghey, Tianna Payne, and Ashton Raphael — were all smiles (and a few tears) as they were honoured and recognized by the school, family, friends, and loved ones during their convocation.
Taking place at the Tuckkwiowhum longhouse, at 1 p.m., members of the school and Boston Bar community watched as the students were honoured. Escorted by either friends, siblings, or partners to the stage, the convocation was opened with a drumming ceremony following by a welcoming speech by Boston Bar First Nation Chief Pam Roberston.
Afterwards, for nearly one and a half hours the graduates listened to speeches and watched their teachers, school dignitaries, and other guest speakers help them close out their highschool years and enter the next stage of their life.
Students also heard from their valedictorians, O’Donaghey and Conway, who commemorated their fellow grads and shared their thoughts on knowing one another over the past few years.
“My advice for my fellow graduates, and future graduates, is to notice your mistakes,” Conway said. “Don’t be embarrassed when you screw up. It’s a learning experience. Stakes are necessary for growth and change. So, when you screw up, and I know you will, take a minute to reflect, learn, and grow.”
In addition to O’Donaghey and Conway, graduates also heard speeches from School District 78 Trustee and Vice-Chair Cathy Speth, Superintendent Balan Moorthy, Boothroyd Indian Band Coun. Cheryl Davidson, BBESS PAC Representative Taralyn Gray, and BBESS Principal Lisa Oike.
Oike, who will be leaving BBESS at the end of the school year, was given a bouquet of flowers by SD78 to thank her for her time with the district. She congratulated the graduates on all they had achieved and remarked on how proud she was that she could be here with them.
“Graduates, go forward with courage for you are the architects of tomorrow,” Oike said. “Continue to inspire, to challenge, to dream, and remember, wherever your life journey takes you, the doors of Boston Bar Elementary and Secondary will always welcome you home.
“Congratulations. We are immeasurably proud of you. Thank you. We love you and farewell.”
In addition to the speeches, a total of 13 scholarships were handed out during the ceremony. This included the: the Kathy Wheeler Memorial Bursary, which was awarded to Campbell; the Boston Bar and North Bend Bursary awarded, which was given to Angus, Burger, Campbell, Chernove, O’Donaghey and Payne; the Indigenous Education bursary, which was awarded to Campbell and O’Donaghey; the Indigenous Leadership Award, which was given to O’Donaghey; the Fraser Cascade Teachers Association Bursary, which was awarded to Burger; and the Ministry and District Authority Scholarship, which was awarded to O’Donaghey and Payne.
The class was also honoured with a blanket ceremony during the convocation, with the blankets wrapped around them by BBESS staff, Robertson, Oike, Davidson, and the District Principal of Indigenous Education Christine Seymour.
For many Indigenous cultures across Canada, receiving a blanket holds symbolism tied to acknowledging a relationship, along with honouring, respecting, and recognizing an individual and their achievements. In the case of BBESS’s graduating class, the gifted blankets are meant to provide protection and to honour the students as they transition into the next chapter of their lives.