If there is one thing that makes June really special, it’s the end of the school year, and for many, graduation from high school.
It’s an important time for them, heading out into the world on their own terms. No requirement to be in school, but a choice between taking a job or going to college, university or training for a trade. Before they make that transition, there is the celebration of graduating with their classmates.
I still remember my grad, at least I get reminded of it every 10 years with a reunion. I think that’s what makes it so important, because it is a big event in your life that will carry on through the rest of your life.
We are lucky in Ladner and Tsawwassen in having a single high school in each community. I always thought it was special that all the kids you have known through daycare, pre-school, sports and other activities all come together in Grade 8, an opportunity to rekindle friendships and let them grow. Only in small towns does that happen usually, something we get to share even though we are part of a larger city.
There is more to it, though. The school, the graduation, is a critical centre of our community, of what makes South Delta special, and why we like living here so much. Noting exemplifies this more than the Grad Walk.
On a sunny Friday in June, the graduates don their best attire and walk down a red carpet in front of family and friends, sharing one of the true milestones of their life with the rest of the community. There are no invitations, anyone can come and celebrate, and many do. If you have kids, you likely know one or more graduates. Lots of people just want to come out and be part of it. I know of at least one elementary school teacher who is there, at the beginning of the walk, to see her former students. She cheers, she hugs, sometimes she cries, but one thing is for sure – she cares.
We all care. It might not seem like much, it might be challenging to arrange, it might be time consuming, but it definitely means something to all of us. It might seem to be a small thing, but it’s a piece of a puzzle that makes our community what it is.
This year it rained in Tsawwassen, and led to a bit of a scramble to have the Grad Walk inside. It wasn’t the same as the pageantry of the walk outside, but was no less important. The parents beamed with just as much pride. The friends screamed just as loud. The audience clapped just as hard. The tears of pride flowed just as much.
None of these events happen without hundreds of volunteer hours from parents of grads, and the support of the teachers and administration at the schools. It’s a thankless job that deserves our gratitude.
Congratulations to the Grad Class of ’18!
Brad Sherwin, MBA is a long-time resident of South Delta, and has almost 30 years’ experience in marketing, public relations and business strategy. He teaches marketing at Douglas College, coaches hockey goalies and is president of the board of directors at Deltassist.
