Steinbach Regional Secondary School will bid farewell today to its class of 2022.

There are 375 graduates receiving their high school diplomas. Principal Sherry Bestvater says that is a smaller graduating class than in recent years. 

This year's valedictorian is Reese Tufford. She was selected through a vote by her class and teachers. 

"She is a great representative of the school, very involved, very academic, high achiever," says Bestvater. "She will be very well-spoken, we're excited to have Reese address the class."

Tufford refers to it as an amazing honour to be selected by her class as this year's valedictorian. She says her message will be one of hope and optimism for the future.

Speaking of the future, Tufford will be studying at the University of Calgary this fall. After also receiving acceptance letters from University of British Columbia, University of Waterloo and University of New Brunswick, she opted for Calgary where she can be close to the mountains. That also happens to be the school that offered her the most in scholarships. Out of the $117,650 in scholarship offers that Tufford received, $74,650 came from the University of Calgary.

"After university I'm hoping to get on with an engineering firm, possibly somewhere international, I haven't really decided yet," says Tufford. "After that, I'd like to work there for a few years and then maybe go out on my own and start my own business."

This year's graduation ceremony begins at 10:15 on Thursday morning at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg. Following the ceremony will be a formal dinner for approximately 1,200 people. The day will end with prom, beginning at 8 pm.

"They are beyond excited," says Vice-Principal Lawney Penner, referring to this year's graduates.

Penner says his message to the class is to be proud of what they have accomplished over 13 years.

Photos credit: Paul Reimer