Matthew Halton High School holds 2013 Graduation celebration

Matthew Halton Graduating Class of 2013
C. Davis photos

Matthew Halton High School's graduating class of 2013 held their Grad celebrations at Pincher Creek Community Hall on Saturday, June 1.  Prior to the formal event they gathered at Bobby Burns Park for photographs. 52 students are now preparing for their final High School exams.

Graduands Lisa Manners and Madison Breckenridge led the crowd in the singing of 'O Canada' to start the event.

Grad President Veronica Oczkowski delivered a heartfelt and sometimes light hearted speech.

"Our journey started in elementary, where we learned to share, and colour in between the lines.  Some of us got it, and some of us didn't," she said.  "As we neared grade six, we were told to start thinking about our future."

Veronica Oczkowski

"Senior High arrived and we were pressured even more to take all the right classes, got enough credits, and had high enough grades to proceed with the career of our choice."

"It is important to remember that now is not the time to make concrete decisions.  It is the time to make mistakes, and change our minds, many times.  The more mistakes we make, the more experiences we gain, the better equipped we will be to face the countless opportunities this world has to offer us. It is our responsibility to shape the future that we want for ourselves."

"I hope you all find success by your own definition in whatever you chose to pursue."

Ellie Elliot

Livingstone Range School Division Superintendent Mrs. Ellie Elliot was the guest speaker.  She spoke of how an individual, class or group could change the world.  "Five students from Matthew Halton, including two students from this graduating class will be travelling to India this summer, to help build a school for children in India.  This action of serving others whose needs are greater than your own is truly service learning."

 "These students, our very own students from Matthew Halton, will make a difference in the world."

She also spoke of some of the opportunities that she has had in her life, including teaching, learning and travel.  "I am profoundly grateful for those opportunities.  Students, Graduates, you too will have opportunities that you haven't yet considered.  I urge you to seize them, run with them, and grow with them."

"Be a leader.  Make a difference in the world."

Mitchel Stephens and Madison Breckenridge

Breanna Green

Madison Breckenridge and Mitchell Stephens performed a raucously energized version of Katy Perry's 'Fingerprints', which was followed by a (potentially libellous) Class Prophecy segment as told  by Cassidy Keeley and Madison Breckenridge.  Breanna Green gave a reading of her poem 'The Journey'.

Myranda Goss

Myranda Goss' rendition of  'Ho Hey' by The Lumineers was understated and sublime. Claire Johnson's slideshow resulted in many moments of laughter and a few wistful parental tears.  Madison Breckenridge gave the closing remarks.

Hilary Matheson

Master of Ceremonies Mrs. Hilary Matheson was the last speaker of the evening.

"Spend time reflecting what you've learned in High School and what you've learned about yourselves, and the world around you," she told the graduands.  "Remember, this graduation is not just the end of one phase of your life.  It's the open door that leads you to your next great adventures, great challenges, great things.  Learning lasts a lifetime.  It doesn't end with school graduation.  Our hope is that you will continue to learn, love, laugh, have a great time, have wonderful adventures.  Leave us but come back to us.  Our best wishes are with you in your future endeavours."

"Don't feel like you can't come back.  This is always home."

The graduands and their escorts then executed a Grand March that was impressive for it's charm and complexity.  I was assured later that no rehearsal was involved.  That was followed by dances with escorts and with parents, and the party was well underway.

Congratulations 2013 Graduates.

'Do not go where the path may lead.  Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.' ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Matthew Halton High School Graduating Class of 2013

Cortney Anderson, Celeste Austring, Jesse Rae Bad Eagle, Amy Evano, Riley Bonertz, Madison Breckenridge, Braeden Claringbull, Lane Crawford, Ferlin Crow Shoe, Brandon Cyr, Charmayne Old Shoes, Tristan Doell, Anthony Franko, Chase Gorgichuk, Myranda Goss, Breanna Green, Tayte Hale-Goddard, Megan Albert, Lauren Higginbotham, Stephen Hochstein, Jordan Huber, Kyle Janzen, Claire Johnson, Lane Kalbhen, Cassidy Keeley, Matthew Kretz, Brock LaGrandeur, April Lawson, Shyanne Lesmeister, Jasmine Lesoway, Annika Lewis, Lisa Manners, Stephane Martin, Laressa McGlynn, Raunie McKenzie, Diann McLeod, Graham Milligan, William Nicas, Veronica Oczkowski, Alexander Oliver, Tyrell Peters, Daniel Scott, Matthias Sheldan-Pitt, Yea Nee Shin, Mitchell Stephens, Steven Stewart, Devin Taylor, Rebecca Taylor, Samantha Truant, Sally Turner, Calvin Walker, Jesse Wolf Tail

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