Sheridyn Roberts, who is pursuing a career in law enforcemennt, is embraced by a famly member after receiving her diploma. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Saff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Grad season

Emotional day as one chapter ends and another begins for Carlton grads

Jun 29, 2022 | 2:28 PM

Roughly 1,500 people packed inside the CPAC gym at Carlton Comprehensive High School for this year’s grad ceremony, an accomplishment that may have seemed unfathomable just two short years ago.

During his speech, Valedictorian Neven Grujic commented on the challenges of going to school during a pandemic and said the one thing he has learned is the value of asking for help.

“Understand that when you ask for help, the worst that can happen is they don’t have the answer. Everyone is insecure, so don’t think you are alone,” he said.

Grujic comes from a first-generation Serbian immigrant family, and his speech took on a more serious tone when he openly stated to the crowd the disease of addiction has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember.

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“I say this shows regardless of our trials and struggles, we all have the capacity to achieve something huge,” he said.

Grujic went on to acknowledge the public perception of a Valedictorian is the perfect student who has never made the wrong choice and has devoted every last moment of their high school experience to studying.

“I am happy to show I am not, I am full of flaws and I have many, many, many insecurities,” he said.

Encouraging the grad class to accept who they are, and know they have the power to be the people they want to be, Grujic quoted a line from Robin Williams, stating everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about, so be kind always.

“Be human, be compassionate, and remember everyone is capable of feeling pain in the same way everyone is able to feel proud,” Grujic said.

Neven Grujic. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Zack Sorenson and Jaylyn Marsh. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Posing for the paparazzi. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Principal Jeff Court spoke immediately after Grujic and stated the day was a day of feelings including accomplishment, apprehension, joy, pride, a fear of the unknown, and for some even a little relief.

“All of these feelings are viable and true and you have lived them. So I ask that you make sure you enjoy them as today is a day of celebration and reflection,” he said.

Court explained his message for the graduating class was not about the present day, but about tomorrow and the days that followed. Quoting a line from actor Tom Hanks, Court said ‘this too shall pass’, noting it’s especially significant given what they have all gone through the past two years.

“You have a bad day or bad reviews, this too shall pass,” he said

Court encouraged the students to be resilient and stay focused on their goals, and believe in themselves. He also reminded them no effort comes without shortcomings and just to be the person who enters the arena.

“Dare greatly,” he said. “You have the capacity to do great things”

On the front steps of the school is a quote students pass by every day and reads kindness is contagious and awesomeness is a choice. On his final point, Court explained to the class that attitude is everything and can make or break a company, a church, or a home.

“The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day,” he said “I am convinced life is 10 per cent about what happens to me and 90 per cent how I react to it.”

Diplomas were handed out earlier in the day, on the front steps of the school. Kaydence Pellerin, who has done a lot in Prince Albert recently to help support people in Ukraine, was among those to walk the red carpet and told paNOW it meant a lot to have in-person graduation, and she thanked the efforts of the parents and teachers who put it all together.

“Having the ceremony was great because you didn’t feel overcrowded and the weather was perfect. One of my favourite high school memories would have to be graduation. It was a sentimental day reminiscing on the last four years of my life. All my hard work has paid off and has been recognized,” she said.

Kaydence Pellerin. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Damian Chisholm with Principal Jeff Court. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Aliyah Arcand with Principal Jeff Court. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell