“This second semester has been hard on anyone who has made plans,” Hicks explained. “The difficulty is that our familiar routines and procedures do not apply. Our grads worked hard to get where they are, and I think it was hard not knowing what was going to happen with their grad. It belongs to them as they have earned that position and a pandemic had put the celebration of that in question. Nothing can take away the lessons learned and the character that has been defined. It was just how can it be brought to a proper conclusion that was unclear.”
Everyone involved wanted to celebrate grad, but the questions were how and when. Hicks said they started to look at graduation at the beginning of May, when it became clear that their regular procedures would not work. Usually, grad in Boissevain entails many aspects, including a big formal ceremony in the school with parents, grandparents, dignitaries and the general public filling the north gym. With the new rules in place, this obviously could not occur. There is also Safe Grad, which had to be cancelled this year as well. Discussion had to turn to other ways of doing things. They looked at June grad, having a celebration at Thanksgiving and perhaps moving it to Christmas. However, once changes were made to the pandemic regulations, they were able to settle on at least a traditional date.
“The real work has occurred over the last few weeks as Manitoba has entered Phase II and we had a set of protocols that allowed an outside gathering that would accommodate the grads and immediate family.”
Plans are for a drive-in grad at the school on Thursday, June 25. Graduates will be seated appropriately up by an outdoor stage with parents situated in cars watching to form the audience. This will take place in the south parking lot, with the students up by the school and the vehicles lined up in front of the concrete dividers in the lot.
Hicks said the protocols are based on a Manitoba Education fact sheet regarding graduations. Like all ceremonies, graduations must be based on the Public Health guidelines, which means a limit of 50 people at outdoor ceremonies. Physical distancing must be two metres per person and two metres between vehicles. Only people from the same household can occupy a vehicle. Windows and sunroofs can be open, but doors and trunks closed. There are also rules in regard to washrooms and cleaning facilities.
To get their diplomas and any awards, scholarships and bursaries, grads will be called up to come to the stage as they always are. The items to pick up will be on a table to allow for social distancing.
Due to the rules of only having 50 people in attendance at the grad ceremony, it will be for grads and parents only. As families will be in vehicles while watching, it does not add to the numbers, so they will be able to keep within the guidelines.
Normally at grad there are many speakers bringing good wishes from different parts of the community. Due to restrictions, this will be curtailed this year. Hicks said Turtle Mountain School Division Superintendent Tim De Ruyck will bring greetings from the division, but he is the only speaker so far planned. With a small 26-member grad class, they might be able to schedule someone else as the date gets closer.
There will still be some pomp to the ceremony. Sarah Hallett and Tristan Fleming will be the valedictorians and speak for their class. David Hussmann and Austin Clyne will toast the parents, while Tanner Clyne and Kyle Harmon will do the same for the teachers. This year, teacher Sheldon Wettig will also be bringing greetings. He is a unique case, as he taught the class in grades two and six, as well as some electives in high school. Hicks said the ceremony would be a combination of the normal grad celebration and the banquet in a sense, allowing for as much of the regular experience as possible. Speakers will be interspersed between graduates being called up to break up the event a little.
As well, Hicks said they are working on getting it broadcast over an FM channel so those in the vehicles can hear it. Also, they are looking to film it and show it over YouTube on a later date so relatives and members of the community can see it.
“Whenever you looked at the afternoon ceremony we held, the gym was always full,” Hicks explained. “I was always impressed by how many people came out. People have seen the kids since kindergarten, kicking around the arena, kicking around town. They had different encounters with them. They want to see them graduate, and this would be a way to do it.”
The ceremony is not the only part planned for grad this year. In some cases, events are tentative, as they will need further approval. However, they are looking to have a parade around town, which would start at 6:00pm and run for about an hour. The fairgrounds/school area is where the vehicles/floats will be marshaled, with the route not yet planned. There are group photos at 5:00pm at Gray’s and pictures at the school with Life in Bloom Photography at 7:00pm. The ceremony takes place at 8:20pm, with a video planned for nine pm. If approval is granted, they are looking at holding a fireworks display at the fairgrounds at 11:00pm.
Hicks said this would be the only official grad event this year. Despite difficulties, everyone is happy there will be a celebration of students’ achievements this June.
“I am happy with the way things worked out,” Hicks stated. “In our present situation, you have to create with the restrictions you have been given. Parents have stepped up with the planning and bringing ideas forward. I met with some of the grads last night (June 2) to iron out the details and they seem happy that they now have an event to look forward to.”
“Maybe we can look at the takeaways from this, to see how to shake things up for the future.”

Paul Rayner, Recorder staff