The graduating class of 2022 assembled for one final time at Wm. E. Hay Secondary on June 25.
In a celebration lasting nearly two hours, graduates, staff, parents and a variety of community delegates came together to celebrate the end of the 2021/2022 school year and celebrate those at the end of their school journey in the first full-scale celebration since the start of the pandemic.
Student Union class president Riley Turre served as Master of Ceremonies for the event, introducing a number of other students who shared memories and the history of the 2022 graduating class.
The 2022 grad theme was “you’re gonna miss this,” something which principal Myranda Shepherd spoke on.
“You are going to miss the comfort of this place,” said Shepherd.
“Go meet new people who will inspire you, push you, make you better. Don’t miss a lifetime of accomplishments by looking back.”
Graduate Emma McMullin gave the valedictorian speech while Gabby Heck and her parents gave the Tribute to Parents and the reply.
The Hecks left off with a message to the grads that they should “make sure you follow your own dreams, and always be kind.”
After the Hecks left the stage, Mrs Shepherd, with the assistance of a couple of other teachers presented the graduating class of 2022 with their diplomas.
Once the diplomas were handed out, Josh Nixon and three other students took to the stage performing a cover of the Eagles song Take it Easy.
When the main part of the ceremony concluded, the graduates exited and the chairs in the middle of the school gymnasium were put away before a long-standing Wm. E. Hay Secondary tradition took place: the grand march.
The music the students marched too was written by a former graduate of Wm. E Hay, and is the second version of the music according to Shepherd.
Following the grand march, following tradition, was the student waltz followed by the graduate dance with parents.
