At the 75th graduation ceremony of Steinbach Christian School, 32 grads will be crossing the stage this Friday, walking into the next chapter of their lives.
Thor Barkman, principal and CEO of Steinbach Christian School says that while honoring the new grads, it is encouraging to look back at previous years.
“We're also looking back and saying thank you to the people who have gone through here and encouraging them to continue making a difference in their community.”
Barkman notes that this will be one of the last years with such a close-knit class as attendance grows over the next few years.
“This group did all of their classes together, for good or for bad. They did them together and there won't likely be that type of a just, a closeness of the kids all having all the same classes together.”
Sonya Doerksen, class valedictorian, says that this sense of friendship was a highlight in her high school experience.
“Getting together on the weekends just to spend time together and build those friendships has been really important, and it's been incredible to build that classroom community and the just the bond that we have as a grade.”
For Doerksen, making music was a large part of that sense of community.
“I find that the people I make music with have really been a big part of my high school career, like the worship team. I think those relationships are ones that will last for a really long time.”
When reflecting on her time at Steinbach Christian School, Doerksen says that all the teachers were very intentional. In particular, she gave high praise to her choir teacher Mr. Fast.
“He's had a huge impact on my life, just with being kind of like an honorary grandpa to me. He's always been so kind to me and cared for me and just always been the highlight of my day.”
Doerksen encourages the grads by giving a spoiler for her upcoming speech.
“Hold a view of eternity and to live in the moment, but also to prepare for the future and to remember who we're living for.”
With the future in mind, the principal and CEO of Steinbach Christian School Thor Barkman emphasizes the individuality of the class.
“They have a unique set of interests, and so it's interesting for me to just see how each of those individuals pursues who they want to become, what they want to do.”
“We have kids who are driven to do, you know, post-secondary and higher academics. We have people who are convinced that they won't crack another textbook in their life. They will work with their hands and entrepreneurial spirit.”
For Valedictorian Sonya Doerksen, the future holds more schooling, and she says she is excited to grow her faith and see where she ends up.
“I am headed to Miller College of the Bible in Saskatchewan this fall, and after that, I might do a couple more years. But we'll see where the Lord leads me. I'm excited to get that deeper foundation in the Bible and in my faith. And yeah, hopefully, to also get married and have a family one day.”
Barkman says that he has also heard a lot of grads considering family as a part of their future.
“They look forward to having a family, being a great dad, and being a great mom. And for me that you know, those are the things that you usually realize when you're 70. So, for me to see kids who are recognizing the importance of family at a young age, that's very encouraging and I see that in this group.”
Barkman offers some final advice for the grads, going into graduation and this next chapter.
“Start by changing the things that you can change. Focus on yourself and who you become, rather than what you're going to become. Career and all of those things are going to work themselves out. But the character piece of who it is that you're choosing to become makes the biggest difference. And that's more of a focus on yourself than a focus on others.”
With files from Corny Rempel