All students were caught up in this, including graduating classes. Boissevain valedictorians Sarah Hallett and Tristan Fleming said it was a situation no one was prepared for and one everyone had to soldier through, while hoping for the best.
 “The last few months have been interesting to say the least,” Hallett explained recently. “All of our classes were moved to online platforms such as Google Classroom, so we are sent assignments for each class, and send back the assignments to be marked when we are finished.”
“The last few months have definitely been strange,” Fleming agreed. “Although I wouldn’t prefer doing school from home, it has been manageable and our teachers have been understanding and helpful. It took a while to get used to online assignments but after about a month it began to feel normal.”
When the shutdown began, it was originally to last until April 13. Fleming said he did not figure they would be back in class by that time, although he said some teachers and students felt otherwise. However, he did not think that would be the end of classes for 2020.
“I assumed we would be back before June.”
Hallett was hoping it would only last the three weeks, but as the news continued to unfold, she accepted the fact it would take longer to get back to class.
Getting used to online learning was a challenge. Fleming said it was hard from the standpoint of having no one to tell you when to get work done, and tough to get into a routine. As well, it was a lot more difficult to collaborate with classmates so there were no group projects or labs. The efforts of their teachers made it work.
“The teachers are making it as simple as they can so that we can still have a successful academic year,” Hallett explained.
Although online learning is possible and an academic semester can be successfully completed that way, graduation is a different matter. The formal end of a school year is important to graduates; it is what they work toward. The program, formal dress, the playing of Pomp and Circumstance are all part of marking their achievements and saying goodbye to their school. At one point, a grad ceremony looked like it was not possible.
Fleming said he did not think about what quarantine would mean for a grad ceremony until he heard about it on the news. He was disappointed at first, then convinced himself it was not that big of a deal. He just did not want the class to be forgotten. Eventually, discussions began and there were three major options – Thanksgiving, Christmas or in June.
“Although we knew we wouldn’t be able to have a maximum capacity grad in June,” he said,  “it still felt like the best fit because Thanksgiving and Christmas were just too far away and we would have already begun the next stage in our lives.”
Hallett said she was concerned there would be no grad at all, but when the social distancing began to be relaxed, they started some planning. As their class of 26 members is fairly small, it meant they could do something together as a group. She too feels the decision to hold a smaller event at the proper time of the year was the right one.
“We had debated the idea of having grad in the fall, but having it in June felt right,” she stated. “We thought the class would be disconnected by the time fall came, so it would be best to do it sooner rather than later.”
Fleming said teachers did much of the work for grad, with students making decisions regarding options. There were a few online meetings, but a lot of talk between staff, students and parents. Hallett said planning a drive in grad was new for everyone, and it will be unique.
The drive-in grad will be held at the Boissevain School parking lot at 8:20 pm on June 25. Superintendent Tim De Ruyck will speak on behalf of the division, with the valedictorians speaking on behalf of their class, David Hussmann and Austin Clyne toasting the parents and Kyle Harmon and Tanner Clyne toasting the teachers. Teacher Sheldon Wettig will also be speaking.
As well, there will be a parade prior to the ceremonies, starting at 6:00pm. There are photos planned as well. One unique aspect is the fireworks display, booked for the fairgrounds at 11:00pm. Boissevain Vice Principal Al Hicks said it is an interesting addition.
“The fireworks idea was put forth at the one of the early planning meetings as a novel way to end off our 2020 grads,” Hicks explained. “When we were forced to be outside, we started brainstorming ways to make the event memorable.”
He added if the Phase III reopening goes ahead prior to grad, it would allow them to have 100 people at the event. That would allow them to reorganize where the parents are sitting. They could be closer to the stage, not in their vehicles. Not more people, just a closer arrangement.
Both Hallett and Fleming are happy to be able to have a ceremony with their classmates. Fleming said the crew is pretty independent, being able to get everything together and their assignments done on their own. Hallett said they are fortunate to have a grad, which many others will not be able to enjoy. As valedictorians, they will be sharing memories of their time together and thanking those who have helped them along the way, as well as talk about how the pandemic impacted them.
Hicks is happy the students will have a grad ceremony. He is keeping his fingers crossed for good weather and if that happens, everyone will enjoy themselves.
“I find grad day a mix of excitement as we close one year and start thinking of new opportunities that await in the fall. This year has been a real challenge and I expect some of that to carry over to the fall. I also know Boissevain School will be ready for whatever lies ahead.”
The valedictorians know this will be a year to remember.
“I think our class will be able to learn from this unique experience and I am sure that we will never forget our graduation year as well as everyone else,” Fleming stated. “Twenty years from now I think we’ll look back and realize that this was the year that we proved we can get through anything.”
“I hope that in 10-20 years from now we can just reconnect,” Hallett said, “just like any other high school graduation reunion.”

by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff