From left to right, Saskatchewan Rivers Public Division Trustee Arne Lindberg, valedictorian Julianna Pitzel, and Principal Gina Sinoski(Submitted Photo/ Gina Sinoski)

By Ronald Quaroni

Tassels & Robes

‘There is so much pride in the room’: Wesmor Public High School celebrates graduation

Jun 26, 2019 | 4:51 PM

Robes were donned, caps placed atop heads filled with knowledge and pride, and diplomas were handed out to the graduating class of 2019 of Wesmor Public High School (WPHS).

Family, friends and staff gathered to help celebrate and congratulate the 66 graduates Tuesday.

“There is so much pride in the room, pride from the parents, families, students and what they’ve achieved and overcome,” WPHS Principal, Gina Sinoski said. “It’s a wonderful day.”

She said students have a wide variety of plans, from attending courses at various universities or technical schools, as well some who will take a year to work.

As of last year the provincial government is reporting the number of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students graduating in selected school years has seen its highest figures in at least the last 20 years.

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In the last nine-year period, there’s been a 37 per cent increase.

The majority of the students who graduated from Wesmor, identify as Indigenous. Sinoski said the increased graduation rates is reflected at the school and it may even be higher.

She attributes that success to the school’s focus on supporting Indigenous students and their diverse needs, promoting accelerated learning and the Following Their Voices initiative.

Sinoski noted one the highlights from the ceremony was a letter from Sask. Lt. Gov. W. Thomas Molloy, in which he outlined the importance of Louis Riel, a leader for Métis people, who was born 175 years ago.

Wesmor Public High School’s graduating class of 2019(Submitted Photo/ Gina Sinoski)

“It was probably one of the best days of my life,” valedictorian Julianna Pitzel told paNOW. “It was amazing from start to finish to get the recognition and to say I’ve made it for myself.”

Pitzel, who commuted to the school from St. Louis each day, said she suffered from anxiety and depression after a difficult time. But, after moving around different schools in P.A., she settled on Wesmor as the place where the teaching style and schedule allowed her to thrive. She’ll turn 20 next month and will likely study the sciences at U of S next.

She expressed pride in all her classmates during her speech and made special mention of her fellow Métis and Indigenous student population.

“Education has not always been available to our people and opportunities are not just handed to us. We’ve had to work for them,” she said. “I know our ancestors would be proud to know we’ve come a long way from pain and injustice to healing, growth and success.”

-With files from Glenn Hicks

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ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni