It took 13 years, but Carrot River Junior Senior High School’s 19 Grade 12 students have reached the end zone and graduated.
“We’re a really close class,” said Tianna Schmaltz, the valedictorian. “We’re like a big family. We fight and argue a bunch but in the end, it’s a big family. We get along pretty well.”
The graduation ceremony was held at the Carrot River Community Hall June 30.
“It feels kind of surreal to be done high school, but it’s home here. I’ve been here since I was a baby. For me, I’ve grown up with the football program because my dad started it when I was born,” Schmaltz said. “I’ve been a part of that atmosphere for so long that I’m going to miss that when I move away. It doesn’t feel real yet.”
With that said, the valedictorian said her teachers have been supportive and have prepared her to go out into the world. She’s planning to go to the University of Saskatchewan to study nursing, followed by medicine.
“The teachers are quick to put in extra hours if you need tutoring or whatever, or they drop what they are doing and help. Noon hours they’ll sacrifice for us,” she said. “They keep us in the loop and on task. They’re great.”
For Sari Carson, the principal, she said seeing this group of dynamic, academic, passionate students is special to her.
This class is actually my Grade 1 class, so for me, this is a special occasion as much as it is for them, she said.
Carson said the class is organized. To prepare for grad, the teachers helped with forming committees and then the class took it from there.
For Schmaltz, the memories of high school that pop into her mind were: a trip to Japan last spring because of the culture shock, and a canoeing trip in Grade 10. Both were opportunities to leave Carrot River for a moment.
As for what it will feel like to be without her classmates next year, Schmaltz said most of her classmates are going to post-secondary in the same place.
“I think a lot of us will keep in touch because we do stuff on our own time outside of school.”
Both the principal and the valedictorian planned to give the same advice in their speeches: to cherish every moment because you just never know.
