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Fond memories for St. Augustine grads

“I am not a sappy person but I will miss you all.” Keynote speaker and teacher Darren Josephison

This year’s keynote speech during St. Augustine Catholic School’s graduation ceremony May 29 had students in stitches over anecdotes of many of the 23 graduates.

Teacher Darren Josephison gave attendees an insight into this year’s Grade 12 class and their adventures over the years. While there are too many episodes to tell in just one story, Josephison provided some important pieces of advice for students, many he had taught since Grade 7.

“I’ve had the pleasure of teaching all of you,” he stated.

He said they had grown into a wonderful group of young adults and felt the halls of St. Augustine will feel empty without graduates. “I am not a sappy person, but I will miss you all.”

One piece of advice for students is to always ask questions rather than follow a person blindly and he reminded graduates of a famous quote by United States president John F. Kennedy. “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

“I ask you now, as you move on to the next phase of your life, ‘what can you do for your country, your community, your family, your friends and for God?’” Josephison added.

He posed a challenge to them to let their light shine through for the rest of their lives and feels the school will always look at this year’s graduating class with fondness.

Valedictorian provides her insights

Not only did valedictorian Anastasia Johnson have the best grades in her class, she is also one of only three First Nations students who are graduating from St. Augustine.

She suggested students never give up in whatever endeavour they have and to delve into anything that is interesting. “We are all children of God. We are all meant to shine.”

Students’ reply and passing of the torch

A tradition at St. Augustine has students replying to the keynote speaker and graduates Kara Casper and Darien Lloyd replied with their own memories of Josephison along the years.

“We’ve had many awkward yet fun moments in Mr. J’s class,” joked Lloyd.

Despite the fun times, Kasper said students were grateful for his mentorship over the years.

Another tradition at the school is Graduates passing the torch to the Grade 11 students. Lloyd and Ceanna Prediger gave Grade 11 students Karley Janssen and William Lockridge some advice.

“Don’t be too hard on yourselves. You can never be as good as us,” Lloyd joked.

To balance the laughter was Prediger, who offered practical tips to the class coming up. She says their senior year will come with challenging moments but suggested the best thing to do is to slow down and take a deep breath before moving on.

Graduates also presented the school with a gift of a metal depiction of Jesus Christ on the cross.