An end of a turbulent and unprecedented school year has arrived.
Hundreds of students will graduate Friday including those at Dryden High School.
There will be a ‘Drive Through’ Grad from 10:00am until 5:00pm at DHS and the ceremony will see everyone be presented with their diploma, one at a time.
Grade 12 grads Alyssa McCready and Grace Douglas spoke with CKDR News about the past school year and their time at the school.
Douglas admits it was a hard year.
“A lot of new challenges we had to face that we never thought we would have too before. But with the help of everyone at DHS, we got through it, and with our parents and friends by our side, we definitely made it through.”
McCready says student well-being and mental health dominated the curriculum this year.
“When you’re in a class for two-and-a-half hours and it’s just a fast pace curriculum, it takes its toll on you doing this work when you have no real outlet for it anymore.”
However, McCready stresses they had great student trustees and support available at the school to persevere.
Students moved to remote learning in April as part of a provincial directive.
Again, this is graduation day and Grace Douglas reflects on what this day means to her.
“I think it means everyone is recognizing our achievements. It’s super exciting to see the community and everyone come together to support us today and I feel we couldn’t have done it without everybody who has been by our side for these last four years. So, we’re super grateful.”
Alyssa McCready says, “Community has been super, super supportive. Our Safe Grad Committee this year has received so many donations. From so many small businesses, larger businesses, just individuals from our community and it is just so incredible to see.”
To hear from both graduating students about their time at Dryden High School, the support from the community and what inspired them to push forward during a difficult pandemic, visit the Audio link below:
The celebrations started Thursday with the Wilson Street ‘Grand March’
