Grade 12 students from Airdrie's Summit Trails Online High School will be walking the stage this evening, and it will all be in person.

The Principal of Summit Trails David Smith said that the purpose of the school is more than just a means to an end.

"What we're trying to start here is more of a real community. To do that, we wanted to create things like a graduation [ceremony], that's in person where we can really celebrate what the students have accomplished," he said. "Having an actual graduation is being able to tell students that they've worked hard, especially over these last two years, they've really overcome so many obstacles. We want to celebrate that; we don't want them to disappear into the ether."

75 students in total will be graduating, with 47 present for the in-person ceremony at Genesis Place.

"It is going to be the traditional walking the stage. The fun thing about this is that many of our students have only seen each other online; they've maybe seen [each other's] faces through zoom, but they've never actually been together. This is going to be really exciting."

Tonight's ceremony will include special live music by Bella Vita Strings and remarks by valedictorian Heather Beckett.

Superintendent of Schools, Greg Luterbach said that completing high school is a significant step in the journey of a lifelong learner.

"RVS celebrates these students’ accomplishments and thanks them for helping to shape a new school culture and blazing a path for future Summit Trails graduates," he said.

Principal Smith also offered his advice and wishes to the graduates of this year's class.

"Dream forward. It's time to look forward and say, 'What are we going to do for our city? What are we going to do for our world and keep moving forward.' Don't stop."

 

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