It may have been an unusual and somewhat disappointing end to her final school year, but valedictorian of College Lorette Collegiate Kaley Guay is not letting it get her down.

“Obviously, this year ended differently than we had hoped,” says Guay, “but I think the highlight for me was learning to become more independent.”

Guay says she spent as much time as she possibly could with her classmates to cherish what they were able to and offers up a positive spin on the unusual circumstances of their special day.

“Even though we missed out on the traditional graduation celebration, we’re still able to make unique one,” says Guay about the olden- days decorated car parade that has been planned for her graduating class.

Not only are this year’s grads getting a parade, but as Principal Teresa Yestrau explains, they have been celebrating for days. “We’ve done lots of different things from sign deliveries to getting gowns so students could take photos with their families.”

With 137 students graduating, their largest graduating class ever, Yestrau says they will be spreading the ceremony out over three days, starting Wednesday, to ensure social distancing.

Yestrau says the unprecedented upheaval of their school year was met with a resiliency by both staff and students as they adapted to online learning methods and revealed their strength in character.”

“They need to celebrate that strength and perseverance,” says Yestrau, “and I think it will help them well into the future as they move on into whatever life holds for them.”