JP II grads take their first steps into the future

He explained that this 2024 graduating class had been among the highest academic achieving groups in the school’s near 40-year history.

“We’re really proud this year, we have 46 students that made the honour roll, and then when we divide it up, we had 12 that graduate with honour roll with distinction (90-94.9 per cent) and then we had another 11 that had an average of (95 per cent) and higher,” he said.

Deacon Gubbe gets his certificate from Director of Education Cory Rideout and Principal Bruce Yockey during the John Paul II Collegiate Graduation Ceremony on Thurs., June. 27. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW)

This year’s class was 100 strong and a record $43,500 through 99 awards were handed out during the ceremony.

“We’re really proud of the year we’ve had at the school and graduation is the crown jewel for us.”

This year’s valedictorian, Esther Kambale, who graduated with a 99 per cent average plans to study at Trent University for health sciences as an undergraduate before moving into a master’s in genetic counseling.

“I’m feeling I guess nostalgic, it doesn’t feel real that high school is finished ‘cause it’s something that you’ve been used to for so long over the years,” she said.

North Battlefords Mayor David Gillan address the graduating class during the John Paul II Collegiate Graduation Ceremony on Thurs., June. 27. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW)

“Now that a big part of your life is about to end, I can see it’s going to be very emotional.”

Deacon Gubbe, who took home over $4,000 in awards and is going to the University of Alberta for engineering, said he was a little anxious.

“I’m getting giddy now, it’s starting to hit me a litle bit more,” he said, noting it was a long five years.

“I tried to study as much as I could, I procrastinated quite a bit but I made it.”

Reflecting on all this cohort had to go through to get to this moment from the global pandemic to the sanctions, Kambale said she focused her speech’s theme on the adversity they faced and how those challenges made them stronger.

Balloons and a full gym help add to the celebratory mood during the John Paul II Collegiate Graduation Ceremony on Thurs., June. 27. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW)

“We’ve never really had a normal high school experience,” she said.

“Something has always come in the way of our year, just changed it a lot and I just wanted to put it out there to remind my peers that we’re adaptable to change and the fact that we’re still here walking – about to walk on the stage – is just very powerful.”

According to Gubbe, the lead up to prom and grad brought the student body closer together.

“It stopped being different friend groups, it’s all kind of merged together and we all hang out and it’s nice.”

Battleford Councillor Kevin Russell addresses the grads during the John Paul II Collegiate Graduation Ceremony on Thurs., June. 27. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW)

During the ceremony itself, staff, parents, guardians, friends and families of the students cheered as their young adults as each one took their turn in the spotlight. Local dignitaries including North Battleford Mayor David Gillan and Battleford Coucillor Kevin Russell made remarks and, each speaking to the resiliency of the students and the opportunities that await them.

According to Yockey, as part of the celebrations leading up to the big day, they took their students back to the beginning.

“Our last day of classes, we took all our graduates back to their elementary schools for on last visit, paraded them through with their gowns and stuff and honestly, I think it means more to our graduates than the schools they go to,” he said.

Lanel Swiftwolfe receives the Braided Journeys Award in the form of Star Blanket during the John Paul II Collegiate Graduation Ceremony on Thurs., June. 27. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW)

“To us, it just signifies that their journey – graduation today – is everybody who’s had an impact on them from kindergarten right through to Grade 12. So, it’s been a 13-year process, we are sad to see them leave but we’re excited to see what they’re going to do in their future.”

Meanwhile, Kambale said as the students move forward in their lives, that adaptability they learned these last years will serve them well.

“We can face anything because of what we’ve been through here and it’s good to have that shared experience together.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On X: jls194864

by Julia Lovett-Squires

JP II grads take their first steps into the future

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