Unprecedented is a term that’s been used to describe the times we’re now living through, and the graduates of Hope’s Two Rivers Education Centre got a taste of the unprecedented times when they graduated via video in early June.
TREC’s class of 2020 will likely never forget the 2019-2020 school year said superintendent of the Fraser Cascade School District Karen Nelson, not least because of the unorthodox way they officially graduated. TREC teacher Andy Sidhu, principal Margaret Smiley, trustee Linda Kerr and Nelson held a graduation ceremony, recorded and shared with grads via Youtube.
Nelson gave a nod to the province’s public health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, perhaps the most prominent public figure since the start of the pandemic, when she wished the grads luck in their future. “Be kind, be calm and stay safe,” she said. “The future is in your hands, so please remember to wash them.”
While it may be an unprecedented time, trustee Linda Kerr said the TREC graduates were uniquely suited to greet the new world that awaits them, whatever that world may look like. “You know how to set your own goals, you know how to blend your work, family, and school lives. You know how to access help from others when you need it. You know how to persevere when the going gets difficult,” she said.
Principal Margaret Smiley shared words about each graduate and wished them luck. “I regret that this year there is no physical stage to cross, but please know that you have all crossed the stage of my heart,” she said. “Best of luck to all of you.”
The video presentation ended with photos of each grad from childhood and individual video clips of each doing an individual cap throw on the lawn outside the TREC building.
A total of 16 graduates finished their studies at TREC - four during the school year and twelve at the end of the year. Those graduating in June are Craig Bobb, Nicole Bowcott, Micah Chernoff, Kyle John-James, Travis Lancaster, Nathan Madill, Bryce Peters, Riley Peters, Ryan Price, Damian Stephenson, Creighton Tays and Mercedes Villalta.
Read more: In a class of their own: Grad 2020 in Hope
Note: The TREC team have asked that we not share the video ceremony, which was created for the grads and the school community.
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