Prairie Hope grads mark milestone

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This article was published 28/06/2024 (644 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Wearing caps, gowns and big smiles, the graduates of Prairie Hope High School in Brandon were ushered into the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium Thursday afternoon to thundering applause, cheers and whistles from supporters in the crowd.

Phoenix Stevens — one of the 45 grads — listed the courses that she took and passed, including English, advanced math, psychology and western civics.

“I never thought that I’d be here today, but because I went to Prairie Hope, here I am. I’m going to graduate, making my family proud,” she said.

Prairie Hope High School provides an alternative to what regular high school programming might look like in a traditional high school, said principal Katherine MacFarlane.

“Students set their own pace for their learning,” MacFarlane said. “For some of our students who may have other commitments in their lives, we offer a more flexible attendance plan that may allow them to continue with that, when it may have been difficult to do so in a synchronous or traditional high school program.”

Stevens said she missed “years” of school because she prioritized work, adding that she believes her high school diploma will create many new opportunities.

“I really wanted to graduate from Crocus (Plains Regional Secondary School), but because of all the years that I missed, they thought Prairie Hope would be the best fit for me,” she said.

“Even though it was hard for me to hear at the time, it was probably one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

Wearing his gap and gown and surrounded by family, Ashton Lavallee opened a congratulatory card and read the message out loud.

“‘It’s time for you to take your place in the world — best of luck.’ That’s from my uncle, cousins and auntie,” Lavallee said.

“I took English and history and did the work on my own time. It was easier for me to do it that way,” he said.

Lavallee’s uncle, Ernest Chief, said he travelled all the way from Dauphin to watch his nephew cross the stage.

“He is a smart kid,” said Chief, nodding his head in Lavallee’s direction.

Founded in 2007 as Neelin High School Off Campus or BSD Off Campus, the school program was given the “Prairie Hope” rebrand in late 2019 and hosted its first graduation ceremony under that new name the following summer.

MacFarlane has been with the school since 2020, coming in as acting principal.

“When our graduates cross the stage, it is a real symbol of their resilience and the grit that it took them to get to where they are today,” MacFarlane said.

“And that’s why for us, it just feels like the biggest celebration and most special day of the year.”

Joining the graduation ceremony were dignitaries that included provincial Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Glen Simard, Brandon School Division Supt. Mathew Gustafson and Coun. Kris Desjarlais (Ward 2). A video greeting from Premier Wab Kinew was also featured.

A new scholarship was created this year in memory of teacher Alison Johnston, who passed away in March, said MacFarlane.

“She touched a lot of lives over the years, and we miss her,” MacFarlane said. “As we think about celebrating, we’re also thinking about Alison Johnston, who served the Brandon School Division for over 30 years and was our Brandon Teachers’ Association president twice over.

“So, part of what we want to do today is have a very special graduation ceremony that also honours the memory of Ali.”

The ceremony also included a land acknowledgment, blessing from a First Nation elder, a graduation song with all students and staff, and student poet Mya White.

White told the Sun it was a “long, long road to graduation,” adding when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he fell behind in school — but now with his diploma, he wants to pay it forward.

“I’d like to work as much as possible, save as much money as possible, and then hopefully go back to school. I would love to do something in music or psychology. Forensic psychology really catches my eye,” said White.

Harley Dougall held up the bouquet of flowers he received from his sister and his best friend’s mom and said, “Graduating. Finally.”

Dougall said he wasn’t very good at online school and had failed a few classes, but when he went to “Prairie Hope,” he “got them all done in one shot.”

“Just do it,” Dougall said when asked if he had advice for someone who is thinking of going back to finish high school.

“It’s harder not to do it, that’s what I found out. I only had two classes left to finish — math and English. So it wasn’t hard. You just feel good when you finish, there’s something about it.”

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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