Valedictorian Ella Kirkland, recipient of the Governor General's award, stands with School board member Alan Nunn and Principal Jeff Court. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Grad season

‘Our high school experience has taught us what it means to be resilient’: Carlton Comprehensive Grad 2023

Jun 28, 2023 | 8:43 AM

Reflecting back on the day she and all her classmates started high school, Ella Kirkland recalled the fear they would never see sunlight again.

This year’s Carlton Comprehensive High School Valedictorian spoke at length during Tuesday’s grad ceremony about the challenges related to COVID.

“In all honesty, disappointment became a regular part of our lives,” she said, noting sporting events, competitions, and trips were cancelled.

“We adapted to disappointment for better or for worse and became more resilient people.”

In additions to thanking teaching staff, coaches and parents for their support, Kirkland also made sure to acknowledge the role Google played in their lives.

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“The graduating class would be significantly smaller without you,” she joked.

Ella Kirkland addressed the crowd at CPAC. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Kirkland noted by senior year they were finally able to experience what high school is supposed to be like.

And with respect to what her class will take away from the past years, Kirkland explained it won’t be the 10 characteristics of living things or even how to find the derivative of a logarithm, but rather the friendships they each made and their mistakes.

“I hope as we go forward, as friends change and our paths diverge, we remember the lessons that were not only in class but outside class – how to make friends, carry conversations and how you be resilient in the face of disappointment,” she said. “If nothing else our high school experience had taught us what it means to be resilient.”

Noting the future uncertain ahead, Kirkland confidently stated said their class can weather any storm as they are experts at adapting.

“And just remember class of 2023 as we walk out of these halls for the final rime, the sunlight will be there waiting for us,” she said.

Principal Jeff Court stands beside a student during the diploma presentations that were held earlier in the day. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

During his address to the crowd, Principal Jeff Court noted two of the key themes that emerged with this year’s graduating class were resiliency and togetherness.

Citing examples of the class’s resilience, Court noted how they were met with an abrupt shift to online learning as well as learning every other day. And there was of course the cancellation of sports and other extra curricular activities.

‘You have faced numerous obstacles head on with determination and grit,” he said. “You have shown you can adapt to change and overcome adversity and for that I commend you”

Court also explained resilience is not just about bouncing back, but is also about using the lessons learned to grow and be stronger.

“I encourage you to take those skills you’ve developed and use them to tackle the challenges you will face in the future”

With respect to the theme of togetherness, Court said the last few years have shown just how interconnected we all are and how important it is to support each one during difficult times.

“Remember your success is not just about your own achievement but also about the impacts you’ve had on those around you,” he said.

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell