On Saturday, June 25th, Roseau Valley School in Dominion City proudly handed out diplomas to nineteen graduates.
Abbey Chubaty and Darci Wilkinson were chosen as co-valedictorians for the Class of 2022.
Chubaty will never forget taking that walk across the stage.
"It almost didn't feel real. It felt like I was playing dress up because you've imagined this moment since kindergarten, and you're with like all the people that you've been through elementary and middle school (and high school in my case), and everybody that you love is watching you. In that moment it doesn't feel real. But you know that this is marking the end and you'll be moving on and everybody will be going on their separate paths."
Chubaty describes their group as creative, outgoing and inclusive.
"We like to make everybody is having a good time."
And they are definitely athletic, adds Wilkinson.
"A lot of us enjoy sports. I think that's what brings us together a lot. During gym classes our class always wanted to play sports, play dodgeball or basketball together. So that was really good."
One of her fondest memories is a basketball game that pitted grads against staff.
"Our class really hadn't talked very much, all as one. Then when we played the staff in our basketball game, we kind of all came together and it was really fun!"
Wilkinson says the small size of the class allowed them to create a unique bond with teachers.
One of the strongest influences during Chubaty's secondary school years were the coaches.
"I played pretty much all of the sports that RVS had to offer, so that was a big part of my high school career. I'd say that all of my coaches really had a big impact on me because they weren't only my teachers, but they taught me life lessons as well, how to be good teammates and how to be good members of society."
In August, Chubaty will be entering the pre-medicine program at the University of Winnipeg, with the goal of giving back to her community by becoming a family doctor or gynecologist in a rural setting.
Wilkinson plans to continue her education at Red River College studying business administration.