PACI's graduating class of 2023 tosses their caps in the air in celebration of completing high school. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Graduation

PACI celebrates latest grads with ceremony at E.A. Rawlinson

Jun 28, 2023 | 5:00 PM

Cheers and tears were on display at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre on Wednesday where the latest class of graduates from Prince Albert Collegiate Institute (PACI) crossed the stage and collected their diplomas.

The afternoon saw 35 students graduate from the school where Principal Dave Lokinger shared a few words regarding this unique class of students.

“The people sitting here have had a high school experience like no other,” he said. “Their entire high school experience was impacted by the pandemic and they stayed with school. So when the school was shut down, they stayed in and stayed with it – they stuck with it. They stuck with it when we moved our entire structure and they all rolled with it. Unfortunately these graduating classes this year, a lot of students are not as fortunate – so that shows me and tells the staff and everyone involved that they’re impressive people.”

PACI Principal Dave Lokinger says a few words. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW staff)

The ceremony began with a drumming performance by Raining Thunder while the grads entered the stage. O Canada was then sang followed by a prayer then various school awards and scholarships were presented to some of the students for their work in their senior year.

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Before the presentation of scrolls, the classe’s Valedictorian and Governor General Award recipient, Sheilina Cote, said a few words to her class as well as on behalf of them.

“After 13 years, we finally get the diploma that we’ve been waiting for, for what seems like forever,” she said. “However, now that we’re on the stage, all of high school felt like four minutes.”

Sheilina Cote delivers her Valedictorian speech during her graduation. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW staff)

“Our time at PACI was well spent,” she continued. “Whether we started on the first day of Grade Nine or transferred later on – we tried new activities, met new people and learned new things. Instead of receiving a high school education, we made amazing memories, met lifelong friends, and received tremendous support from our mentors.”

On top of her Governor General Award, Cote also received numerous awards and scholarships including the Paper Excellence Community Scholarship, University Women’s Club award, Bonnie and Garth Hryniuk Resiliency Award, and the Female Aaron Family Award.

To close out her speech, she left one last message for her classmates and for the families in attendance.

“It’s okay to not be perfect,” Cote explained. “Don’t hold back in fear of not being able to do something 100 percent because in the end, we are our biggest and worst critics. We can’t say that we’re perfect but we can say that we’ve tried – and we have tried. We have worked extremely hard to get where we are, and we will continue to work hard in the future wherever our paths lead us.”

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @lloganlehmann