Over 90 students will graduate from JPII high school this spring, taking a step into the next chapter of what life might hold. (Facebook/John Paul II Collegiate)

By Martin Martinson

Graduation preperation

JPII to honour grads with virtual ceremony this month

Jun 11, 2021 | 2:06 PM

June 28-29 will be graduation day at John Paul II Collegiate (JPII), though much like last year, the 2021 grad festivities will be held with a twist this spring.

The local high school’s graduation ceremony will be put together in individual pieces then stitched together virtually due to the inability to host a large graduation ceremony due to the pandemic.

Each of the graduates will have an allotted time where they will be invited to the gymnasium (along with their cohort of family and close friends) to be filmed walking across the stage in cap-and-gown to receive their diploma and any awards/scholarships they may have won.

Graduates will then have an opportunity to take pictures with family and friends around the school and outdoors area. Each of the individual ceremonies will then be pieced together into one large production that will be posted on the school website, and on Edsby, for students and their families to view.

Co-principal at JPII, Bruce Yockey said it was as important as ever to the school this year to ensure they still provide those graduating with a special experience to share with their families and loved ones; even if they couldn’t have the standard large ceremony due to the pandemic.

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“I think it’s really important parents, guardians, grandparents and other close relatives, along with their best friends, get to see them walk across the stage traditionally and receive their diploma and awards,” Yockey said. “It’s important for those close to them to get to share in that with them.”

“Our hearts go out to this Grade 12 class, as this has been a tough year,” he continued. “So many of the things the students look forward to; whether that’s sports, SRC or just being part of different clubs, was all obviously put on hold. So at least with the grad, we still wanted to really recognize this class and honour them for their accomplishment and perseverance to get to this point.”

The JPII graduating class is made up of 92 students this year. Split directly in half, the school will feature 46 students’ ceremonies each day over the two days, June 28 and 29.

With approximately $35,000 worth of scholarships and bursaries will be awarded, Yockey said they also are extremely grateful to the many local businesses and donors who contributed to positively affecting the student’s next steps in their education at the post-secondary level.

“We just want to say a huge thank you to all of our donors and the many businesses that donate to our grad awards,” Yockey said. “We’re looking at roughly 90 awards [and bursaries] to be given out this year, so we really appreciate the support from our local business community that continues to support our graduating class and donate for first-rate scholarships for our students.”

To learn more, and for all the latest on JPII’s graduation plans, visit the school website.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1