Good afternoon family, friends and honored guests, 'What's up?' So how about all the fun we have had over the last four years? Let's begin at those early awkward days of high school puberty.
Grade 9 Orientation was full of nerves and amongst the chaos there was Mr. Huo, telling us that he will take care of us and feeding our little bellies. He was our mother... "I am your mother at school."
One of the Grads, experienced a couple of bad hair days involving lathes and printers. She has been bracing herself for the unfortunate tradition to continue this year – for her hair to be stuck in some machine. Let's just hope that day was not today.
This was also the year many students skipped class. However, instead of leaving the school, we would walk around. When asked where we were to be, we just said we had spares, even though we were in Grade Nine Foods or some other option.
Grade 10, the County kids came from Big Valley, Byemoor, Donalda, Halkirk and Erskine; and this was the beginning of the era of our Redneck-based class.
The French trip to London and Paris was a highlight of the year. The food and culture were "fantastique".
Then there was a field trip of a very different nature: The Math/ Gym combined class went camping with Mr. Thibeau and Mr. Siemens. The students played bumper boats with canoes.
Using horns for Morse Code in the parking lot was a way for the 'boiis' to communicate who had the best truck and why. Side remark for Will – It's still me! Mr. Aspenes would attempt to put pylons out to mark off, "No Parking Zones", but some drivers were easily confused, and parked wherever.
In Grade 11, there were nine students who hosted and went on the German exchange trip to our sister school in Sanitz. Most students hosted two German Exchange Students. The Germans were able to see Canada at its awkward stage between fall and winter, when it is really ugly and unappealing. Later, the Canadians got to experience Germany's beautiful spring.
On Valentine's Day, I decided to show up to English class with flowers and propose, with a ring pop, on bended knee, to the love of my life, Miss Stephenson. It wasn't even my English class. She let me down easy though, because she couldn't mix work and her love life together.
Physics 20 was always an interesting time when the teachers were not in. One substitute teacher, who came into the mix, will always be remembered for her statement about how the, "Quadratic formula is your best friend."
Mr.Kocher was new to the school, and all of the students thought that he had the best phone charging setup ever! Everyone knew he was engaged, but no one thought he was telling the truth! He was just, 'One of those guys'. Talk about high school drama!
This class also went to West Edmonton Mall to experience the amazing Laws of Physics at Galaxyland. Mr. Kocher and a student claimed that their eyes were watering after the big roller coaster, but we are pretty sure that they were crying!
Grade 12 Bio 30 with Mrs. Enyedy will stick with us forever, whether that's positive or negative. Will decided to test the Vice Principal's patience and brought an air horn into her class. Not entirely sure if he passed, but nice try. Mrs. Enyedy, however, had a back-up plan, (or her kids came up with it - one of the two), and sprayed Silly String all over him
As for Mr. Enyedy, he needs to get his statistics for winning sports teams in order.
Nevertheless, the lessons we have learned in Chemistry will not be forgotten: "Don't let children use Squishy Bath", "SOA on cathode side do dah, do dah"..., and other life lessons too numerous to explain.
One of the presentations we had this year was a man who talked to us about focusing in class and how to do it. Something about wolves, "Focus, focus, wolf?!!" I don't think it helped. Everyone thought it was a complete joke. Mrs. Enyedy even apologized for bringing him in.
This graduating class has also been a class of many firsts. For example: guys and girls midget hockey teams both won provincials.
This year was the first that the G 7 and 8 students were a part of the high school, and the name was changed, but even with that, we, the graduates, still call the school William E. Hay Composite High School.
Since we have gotten older we, as a class, have realized that we are not intimidating to the younger kids. We all remember the grade 12's being so much taller than us and now... we are all so short compared to the other grades. What happened?
A second Facebook page for Dallas was created, who the creator is we will never know. *cough cough* McClung *cough cough* No one knew till now that Dallas has a hidden love for chairs, and we thank him greatly for the knowledge he has bestowed on us... about chairs.
Over the years, most of the class has worked at Sobeys, Tim's or Boston Pizza. Students who struggled with 30-1 Math would always put Math first above English, when you needed English to graduate and not Math. Most years, Math is in both semesters, but this year it was only in one. Mrs. Lotoski was finally the bride and Math became a bridesmaid.
In English 30, there were always scary "Loto tests", and every time we were writing one, Mr. Gregory would blast his music next door. Thanks Mr.Gregory! Enjoy your retirement freedom!
Like all those essays we learned to write, this is our conclusion.
It has been a good ride, and one that we will never forget. We have made lifelong bonds that will follow us long after we finish high school.
So best of luck to the Graduating Class of 2016, and thank you for being a class that we, and many others, are thankful to have grown up with and learn from. Thank you all for being YOU!
Through parking lot benders, life experiences, and lessons learned the hard way, we are now here! Graduating! Thank you!