It takes a village – and that certainly was the case here in South Delta for the Grad Class of 2021.
Early in the school year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, tough conversations were had in many households in Ladner and Tsawwassen as Grade 12 students told their parents that nothing would be done to celebrate their milestone achievement.
No doubt many tears were shed. I can only imagine the heartache and disappointment.
But that didn’t stop determined groups of parents from South Delta Secondary and Delta Secondary who began planning for and fundraising for, what they hoped would be a celebration – any kind of celebration in June.
I remember being contacted by reps from both Dry Grad parent committees in January and February about plans and the possibility of the Optimist helping to get the word out.
So we wrote stories on their plans, their fundraising efforts and the support needed from the business community and other resident volunteers.
The support was amazing. This community stepped up and came through – big time.
When news came from health officials and political leaders that the province was moving into Step 2 and could allow for somewhat larger group gatherings, both parent committees went into overdrive and planning was at a fever pitch.
Talking to Jen Wilson from DSS and Karen Matthews from SDSS for our Dry Grad story this week, I was in awe as they both related all the work that went into these special six nights in South Delta to honour and celebrate this year’s Grad Class.
Karen described it as a ‘Herculean effort’ the past few weeks and I don’t doubt that one bit.
To everyone involved, from the parents to the volunteers, restaurants, transportation, City of Delta, Delta Police and Delta Fire Department, you should all take a bow, pat yourself on the back and be ever so thankful in your collective efforts.
During a historic time, you helped pull off historic events and a Dry Grad to remember for years to come.
