The members of each graduating class at Clearwater Secondary School can choose anyone to be the guest speaker at their graduation ceremony. Despite the wide range of options, over the past few years, the choice has often been retired CSS teacher Brent Buck.
During the ceremony held on Friday, June 13, Buck demonstrated why he has been chosen so often. Like a Zen master, he used shouts and funny faces to get everyone’s attention, and then followed up with wise words of advice delivered in a simple manner. The Stoics used to say that to appreciate how fortunate we are in life; we need to accept some discomfort voluntarily. Taking a cold shower, sleeping on the floor or fasting for a day will make us appreciate warm showers, a soft bed and good food.
We shouldn’t just learn to appreciate things, but also people. Learn how to pitch in and help when help is needed, he advised. “From now on, you be you ... sounds pretty easy, huh?” Buck said.
Class valedictorian was Isabell Wright. “Grads, miraculously, we’ve made it,” she said, adding that their school experience included taking part in an inordinate number of indoor track meets.
Dr. Neetu Rishiraj, a sports medicine specialist who acts as a consultant to some of Canada’s national sports teams, gave the graduate of distinction introduction. He advised the grads to embrace change, to see it as an opportunity, not an obstacle. “Invest in relationships with those who have your back,” he said. “Be the friend who’s there in time of need.”
Shelley Sim, school trustee for the Clearwater-Blue River area, told the grads that they are discovering their superpowers. They shouldn’t seek to be Superman but Clark Kent, she advised.
“Your life doesn’t get better by choice, it gets better by change,” said School District 73 director of instruction and curriculum Carol deFehr. “Never forget where you came from and never forget everyone in this room.”
CSS Principal Darren Coates told the graduates that he hopes they will be happy and contribute to whatever community they find themselves in.
He noted that over 70 hours of work went into preparing the gymnasium for the graduation ceremony. He thanked Vice-Principal Loree Holmes for taking a lead role in organizing the event.
Look for more photos and information about Clearwater Secondary School’s grad weekend online at www.clearwatertimes.com and in the special graduation supplement in our July 3 issue.
