For the Class of 2023 from Weyburn Comprehensive School, the Weyburn Oilwomen Association provided a package for a pair of grads that included attire, photographs, and cupcakes for the big day. The idea came about as the association wanted to make sure there weren’t any barriers for graduates to celebrate their big day.
“There’s a lot of work that goes into grad and getting there, and so we didn’t want money to be the reason someone didn’t go and celebrate their grad,” explained Abby Kradovill with the Oilwomen. She noted grad can be expensive, ranging from the outfits to the photography, the hair, the make-up, jewellery, and much more.
“We just wanted to do something that would alleviate a little bit of the burden from families, and so we started off with two graduates, and then we ended up having support from enough photographers and stuff that we have been able to help four grads each year, and this year we’re going to do four again,” Kradovill added.
The Weyburn Oilwomen are now accepting nominations, either from a prospective grad themselves, or friends and family of a graduating student. The nomination process is being done online, and this year they are trying something a little different. Kradovill said they have the services that are being offered listed, and then the person filling out the form can choose the services they need.
“Because there might be some people that don’t need all of the services, and because we’ve partnered with some amazing people in our community, we might even be able to help more,” Kradovill stated. “So, while not everyone might not get an equal package, they might get what they need.”
This year, the services that will be made available include a corsage and boutonniere, a male accessory package, jewellery, cupcakes, hair and make-up, and photography. These are all being offered by local businesses here in Weyburn.
“We could not do that without these women and these businesses because they have made it so that we really can help more than just two graduates, and they have kind of rounded out that experience,” Kradovill said as she expressed her thanks to the community for the support.
You can find the nomination package here.