A Tribute, of Sorts, to the Graduating Class of 2017

As I write, I am supervising one of the last exams of this school year: Science 10.  Supervising an exam largely involves providing Kleenex and seeking bathroom "escorts" for those who cannot make it through two hours.  In short, it affords me time to reflect.

In two days, the Class of 2017 will graduate.  They have participated in the usual grad traditions: skip days, collectively attending school out of uniform, one or two grad pranks... The most recent grad prank, set up during the night before the last day of classes, involved a scrapped car, heavy plastic, water and 150 goldfish.  One of my first early morning tasks was to help the maintenance guys save goldfish.  Said fish were temporarily housed in my recycling bin, then released into the pond of a staff member.

When this class moved into the high school after Grade 8, the high school teachers took note, as always, of their reputation.  Were they badly behaved?  Were they known to be a discordant group?  Would there be a rash of disciplinary issues over the ensuing years?  Word on the street: the students are a great group who are closely bonded.  And so they have been.

I have had the honour of teaching most of this class in various years of English 9 to 12 - sometimes more than once.  Nine students traveled to Trinidad with me last year on an Outreach trip.  When I was on lunch supervision this school year, several of these students were still hanging out in the same area they frequented in Grade 9 - even though they had a more sophisticated Grade 12 option.  I have watched many of them finally pass their drivers' tests.  I have completed countless references for university admissions.  I have appreciated students' musical, dramatic and artistic offerings over the years.  I have watched these students mature from barely responsible Grade 9 kids who sometimes struggled to submit assignments on time to responsible young men and women who are [more or less] ready to tackle the beginning of their adult lives.

In short, on Thursday evening, I am going to be proud of this class, albeit sad to see them leave Pacific Academy.  I am equally excited to find out what amazing things they will accomplish in their futures!