'Ready for anything': Calgary high school grads mark occasion with in-person ceremony
Calgary high school graduates are once again walking across a stage and receiving diplomas in front of an audience, marking the first in-person ceremonies since the pandemic shut down traditional in-person grad celebrations in spring 2020.
The class of 2022 is also unique for having navigating all three years of high school as COVID-19 circulated. The University of Calgary hosted at least two large in-person graduation ceremonies on Tuesday.
Some of the 650 grads from Joane Cardinal-Schubert High School (JCSHS) were thrilled for the chance to celebrate together, sharing hugs, high-fives, bouquets and taking group photos.
"I'm happy that I can now. I know that a lot of people before because of COVID couldn't and I'm happy that I can actually be here," said graduate Cameron Benson.
"It was incredible. I feel like I've been waiting for this forever. And with COVID and everything and the classes before that didn't get to (graduate in-person), I feel like it's a great experience and I'm really happy that my class got to finally do it," said fellow graduate, Emma Mountain, who is an aspiring singer.
The school's principal says the moment was extra special -- to pull off the first full-scale grad ceremony since the southeast school opened four years ago.
"Nothing right now is taken for granted. I think they appreciate and they see that and I think they are mature beyond their years," said principal Garry Tink.
PANDEMIC IMPACT THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
The pandemic forced Alberta schools to close in March 2020, when this crop of grads were partway through Grade 10.
Rules around masks, distancing, online learning and cancelled extra-curricular activities persisted through their high school years.
Celebrations in 2020 were cancelled or became virtual events, while last year's grad ceremonies pivoted to drive by events to maintain physical distancing.
STUDENTS CELEBRATE RESILIENCE
Western Canada High School held its closing exercises or graduation ceremony at the Jack Simpson gym at the University of Calgary on Tuesday afternoon.
"Knowing what it's like to have something taken away, it really shows us the true value of what we have," Soroush Rohanizadeh, Western Canada High graduate.
Some of his fellow graduates also say they are feeling resilient.
"We really had to depend on ourselves the most and I feel like that's a really important skill to learn," said Venus Rezvanpour.
"Although it was in a way a disadvantage, it still built us up in a way that we will be ready for anything that comes our way," said Saif Farag
The more than 900 grads and special guests filled the Jack Simpson gym as a supportive crowd captured the occasion.
"I am very happy to see this situation and these ceremonies and I hope we see more for university and so on," said Mohsen Rohanizadeh, parent of a high school graduate.
Other parents are not concerned the class of 2022 will have issues progressing into adulthood.
"They may be a little different than other graduating Grade 12s, I'd say they're no further back," said Kjelti Kellough, parent of a high school graduate.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.