By Joel van der Veen
KENASTON — For their graduation ceremony, Kenaston School’s class of 2015 took a page from the book of Dr. Seuss.
Kenaston Place was decorated for the occasion on June 26 with blue, red and grey balloons, signs pointing here and there, and truffula trees from The Lorax.
The theme from the event was inspired by a quote often attributed to the man born Theodor Geisel: “Why blend in when you were born to stand out?”
The hall was filled Friday night as family, friends, classmates and other guests gathered to celebrate and bid farewell to the seven graduates leaving Kenaston School this summer.
Principal Ryan Johnson and vice-principal Aaron Biberdorf welcomed those in attendance before the processional. The graduates entered, most of them with their escorts, and accepted their diplomas.
Retired teacher Linda Purves, who taught most of the graduating class in Kindergarten and grades 1 and 2, was the guest speaker, giving a colourful address that borrowed from Dr. Seuss and Robert Fulghum.
“Of course, I never really blended in,” said Purves, “because I often wore runners with dresses, tank tops in the winter and usually most school days, I either went koo-koo-ka-choo, or told you I was off to Jamaica.”
Purves said her speech was designed to remind the students that the lessons they learned in their early years can all be applied to the situations they face as they embark on their careers or higher education.
She expanded upon the list given in Fulghum’s All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, with such as axioms as “Share everything,” “Play fair” and “Don’t hit people.”
Before she began, Purves offered the graduates paper and markers in case they wanted to take notes, adding that she’d considered buying each of them a copy, “but my pension cheque only stretches so far.”
The class also heard from two of last year’s graduates, Maria Matovich and Samantha Chomyshen, who offered words of wisdom, while Grade 11 students Austin Evans and Tessa Tomlenovich gave their predictions for each grad’s future, along with their actual plans for next year.
Shelby Evans and Eve Ulmer gave the valedictory address. Evans said the school community had been “like a family,” while Ulmer reflected on their reluctance to leave, even as they had anticipated this day for many years.
“They’re always there to lend a hand when you need it,” she said of the school’s staff. “This atmosphere will never leave us.”
They also shared some of the lessons acquired over the years, one of which was the value of a “stretch break” — which they then offered to their classmates, who happily accepted.
The class began Kindergarten with 10 girls and one boy, later dwindling to just five girls, and ends its academic career in Kenaston with six girls and one boy — a different one, Andrew Taylor, who joined the class three years ago.
“It’s going to be weird not coming back after summer and seeing you all again,” observed Evans. “We love you all and we’re really going to miss you . . . but don’t worry, we’ll be back.”
For the complete story, including the list of awards presented, please pick up a copy of the July 6 edition of The Davidson Leader.