Neelin celebrates the Class of 2024

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This article was published 27/06/2024 (527 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

École secondaire Neelin High School celebrated the graduation of more than 110 students on Wednesday at Brandon University’s Healthy Living Centre.

Hundreds of family and friends attended the event, honouring the achievements of the Class of 2024.

Principal Baseswa Nundu expressed his delight at the success of the graduates and appreciation for the families and friends who have supported them along the way.

“As you move forward, do not be shy to seek help when needed because not everybody can accomplish things on their own,” he told the grads. “Also, find a passion and go hard and full-on for it.”

Reflecting on his high school years, Nundu urged the graduates to cherish these moments.

“If I could choose one period of my life to revisit, it would be high school,” he said. “Once a Spartan, always a Spartan. Neelin will always have its doors open for you.”

Visual arts teacher Tara Leach, in her opening remarks, highlighted the unique challenges the grads had faced and the resilience they had shown, especially during and after the COVID pandemic.

She remarked on how the students had opened up as restrictions were lifted, describing their journey as “gradually unfolding leaf by leaf, petal by petal, returning to the vibrant life they possess.”

Leach expressed great admiration for how the students had navigated their unique moment in history, praising their openness in discussing mental health and their tendency to make life decisions based on personal fulfilment rather than purely capitalist motives.

“I love to witness you challenging the values and systems that no longer serve humanity, or the health of our planet, and probably never did. I can see that you are a group who will define a good life for yourselves and go after it on your terms,” she said.

“This gives me a great deal of hope and faith in the future. Class of 2024, it is clear to me as you graduate high school and embark on the myriad marvellous paths you will take in your adult lives that you were born for this time.”

Valedictorian Nathaniel Berube shared his mixed feelings about the day.

“It feels amazing and weird. It feels like I was just in Grade 9,” he told the Sun. “We have the best school — teachers and staff were right where they needed to be.”

He tasked fellow graduates not to worry too much about the future.

“You will find your way, so don’t stress too much,” he said. “If we could have survived COVID when we did not have exams and didn’t really get the true high school experience until Grade 12, we will survive anything.”

Looking ahead, Berube plans to study land and water management at Assiniboine College and play volleyball on the men’s team. Despite his parents’ military backgrounds, Berube emphasized that his path was his own choice, supported by his family.

School board trustee Kim Fallis congratulated the graduates and acknowledged the challenges of high school.

“For many, including myself, high school was hard, but hold on to your memories and friends,” she said. “Embrace the next chapter of your lives, whether it be further education, travel or another path.”

She reminded the grads to celebrate responsibly, humorously adding that a greasy burger is the best cure for a hangover.

The Governor General Award was earned by Danielle Fermin.

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