The Steinbach Regional Secondary School is getting set to graduate 409 students today.  

Grade 12 Vice Principal James Gibson says the school has been buzzing with activity these past several weeks, as the grades 9 through 11 are excited about summer and being done.  

“And the grade twelves are very excited to move on to the next stage of their lives.” 

Gibson notes that this year’s grad is the biggest in the past 5 years. “I believe it's one of the bigger classes that we've had in recent memory, yeah, it's a big group.” 

When describing the group, Gibson uses words like hard-working and other-centered. 

“They're extremely academically minded. They've done really well in all aspects of school. If you think of all the different aspects that we have, whether it's our drama program or our athletic program like they won a number of championships, this group has embodied what we wanted to see in school spirit, especially this year being the first full normal year, and in the last couple they have taken on the challenge of building school spirit and taking that on as a task and they've really really contributed to that.” 

The grads chose Ayesha Badiola as their valedictorian, who says she was so surprised.  

“I did not expect it. Like, the people that were also nominated, they're all just wonderful people. And yeah, it's an absolute honour to be chosen to speak in front of everyone like it's crazy. And it's an honour.” 

Looking back over the last few years Badiola says school life has been both fun and a challenge.  

“I'll be real here. Most of it has been the pandemic and like, just all those restrictions, I don't miss that at all. I guess my favorite part would be, just being with my friends and, you know, doing all the events, like Grade Wars and winning Grade Wars, that was hype. And playing sports or just fooling around in class and doing our classwork at the same time. But yeah, it's such a big group, but it's just been so much fun getting to know tons of people.” 

So what’s up for Badiola after grad?  

“I will be continuing to work as a summer events host at Golden West, visiting all the events in our communities and I’m so excited for more because it's been a ton of fun. And in the fall I will be heading to Red River in Winnipeg for Creative Communications to learn more about what I do now. Just getting back to the fundamentals, I think is really important. And just like expanding my skills.” 

Thinking about what she would say to her fellow grads as their Valedictorian, Badiola replies,  

“We’ve made it through four very weird years of high school by just making the most out of the situation and circumstances and just finding those opportunities to thrive. I think because we came out of it strong, we had a great final senior year, you know, winning provincial championships, doing all the plays and just doing all the things. So to the other grads I say, just make the most out of your years and make the most out of grad day, because it will be a blast and it will be gone in like a second.” 

Badiola continues with a special thank you to the teachers and staff of the SRSS.  

“I just want to say thank you to the teachers. For just being you guys and adapting to the four weird years that we had. It's not easy to just make that switch instantly but that's exactly what happened and trying to figure out, you know, Google Mates and Zoom and all the technology things and just being patient. I can imagine the whole transition thing was hard and then making sure that we're OK as well, like, in terms of mental health. I find that a lot of my teachers were good with checking in, especially Mr. Fehr. He cared about us a lot. And just thank you to the students for making these four years memorable, even though we did face a lot.” 

VP Gibson also takes time to reflect on his time with this group of students he’s had the opportunity to get to know over the past four years. 

“I think this group is just a nice group of kids, they're friendly. They're polite. All the interactions I've ever had with them have been positive. It's just a good group.”  

And his parting words to them, “To always believe in what's possible to work hard. There's a big piece to working hard, setting a goal and working towards it, and never losing sight of that. Just develop that and keep persevering as you have over the last number of years. Just keep that in the back of your mind and you’ll go far in life.” 

The SRSS graduating class of 2023 will graduation event at the Winnipeg Convention Centre on Tuesday, June 27.  

Gibson notes this will be the largest group of grads, parents, teachers, staff, and special guests, in attendance with 2500 invited to the ceremony and 1500 for the sit-down meal.  

This will be a farewell for him as well as he moves on to another Manitoba School Division in the fall and so Gibson shares these final words. 

“I would say a thank you to the staff that have worked with them hard (students) and then their parents and guardians have been exceptional to work with and have been very supportive of the school as well. Thank you.” 

*The images in the gallery below are from the 2023 Grad Farewell (Photo credit: SRSS Paul Reimer)