A former graduate of Tantramar Regional High School was guest speaker at the 2010 graduation ceremony, held Saturday at Mount Allison University’s Convocation Hall in Sackville.
Rear Admiral Andrew Smith, Chief of Military Personnel for the Canadian Forces, and a 1979 TRHS graduate, told this year’s graduation class that having a sense of community will play an important role in their future successes.
“This is something that is vitally important, but too often overlooked or taken for granted,” Smith said.
Following his own graduation he said that went on to receive a first-class education, benefited from both technical and leadership training, was provided with some wonderful professional opportunities, was fortunate to learn a second language and to have challenging and rewarding assignments along the way; and the opportunity to visit some distant and exotic locales as well as to meet many extraordinary people.
“But in many ways I remain the little guy from small-town Canada who enjoys the simple pleasures that are born in such communities. I consider myself terribly fortunate to have grown up in the Dorchester to Murray Corner corridor and 31 years after I graduated from Tantramar High School I count high school classmates from those communities, such as Dale Spence and Gail (Burns) LeBlanc…among my closest friends. Like the graduates on stage today, I was privileged to have grown up in an area that defines the term ‘safe haven’. An area with a highly reputed schooling and academic foundation, wonderful sports and recreation opportunities, cultural opportunities and artistic exposure. And honest, God-fearing people who cared about each other,” he said, adding that TRHS is a microcosm of that larger community.
He noted that TRHS is an educational facility with a reputation of solid learning and a staff of educators who provide much more than educational instruction.
“I was fortunate to have been a beneficiary of the great privileges of this school; fortunate to have had Davis Richardson, Hazen MacDonald and Bob Hall tag-team me for three successive years to instill in me a semblance of mathematical maturity. Fortunate to have had the likes of Bruce MacMillan, Chris Porter and Mike Olscamp teach me the wonderful game of football, which is second to none in fostering a sense of community and camaraderie. Fortunate to have had Ralph Stopps, patiently – and that is patiently with a capital ‘P’ – teach me grade 11 and 12 chemistry… Fortunate to have had Bayne MacMillan mentor me…in the intriguing and dynamic and unpredictable world of political science; lessons which resonate with me now more than ever,” Smith said.
And although not a teacher of Smiths’, “something for which we are probably both eternally grateful for”, he said he was fortunate to have had Bill Durrant stop him on a daily basis outside of Durrant’s classroom door to offer a word of encouragement.
“Or an invitation to lean a little bit closer to the razor the next day,” Smith said with a smile. “Fortunate to have had the late Pat Lafford; at once brilliant, eccentric, passionate, disheveled, funny and caring; in my corner as an English teacher, guidance counsellor and a basketball coach,” he added with emotion.
Smith said he owes an unpayable debt to this group of people who were instrumental in his high school formation and career development.
“And so I say to the class of 2010; when you leave this stage today, I encourage you to seek out your teachers to thank them for the patience, the perseverance and passion with which they have brought you here today,” he said.
To the teachers and staff of TRHS he extended his own naval Bravo Zulu for a job ‘well done’.
“You should have pride in the role that you have played in forming this fine group. To the communities of Dorchester, Sackville, Port Elgin, Bayfield, Cape Tormentine, Murray Corner and school bus stops in-between in places like Midgic, Aulac and Point de Bute; be proud and celebrate the accomplishments of your sons and daughters. They represent the community leaders, public sector executives, private enterprise entrepreneurs, Pee-Wee hockey coaches, Scout leaders and soccer Moms of the future. In no small measure, enabled through the rich formation and sense of community fostered at Tantramar Regional High School,” he said.
Smith praised the parents, family and friends of the graduates, noting that their love, caring and sacrifice are also a large part of the graduates’ success today.
“To the class of 2010; take the time to reflect and enjoy it…don’t be timid in reaching for the next rung on the ladder, wherever that rung may take you…Dream big and go forth…but don’t lose sight of your community roots; be guided by the importance of community,” he added.
A class of 132 graduates took the stage to receive their diplomas, presented by Principal Jason Reath and Vice-principal Mrs. Heather Welling. The valedictory address was given by Emily Stubbert while the invocation was delivered by Rev. Wayne Smith. Organist Miss Jennie Wood played the processional, interlude music and recessional. A slide show, noting many and varied photos of the graduating class throughout the past year provided pre-ceremony entertainment.
Members of the TRHS graduating class of 2010 received in excess of $280,000 in bursaries and awards, while several were presented with trophies and medals for outstanding achievement.
Patrick Sloan was awarded the Governor General’s Medal and certificate for attaining the highest grade 12 class average, Emily Stubbert received the Burke’s Medal for high scholastic achievement, and Sharoni Mitra was awarded the Esther Leger Award for the second highest grade 12 class average. Miranda Beal was the recipient of the Belanger Achievement Medal, awarded to a graduate with high scholastic achievement and a record of contribution to student government.
The Class of 1982 trophy, presented to a graduate who demonstrates outstanding leadership; was presented to Rebecca Guilderson and Erin Lapp received the Jeffrey Goodwin Spence plaque, awarded to a graduate involved in school activities and respected by both teachers and students; and must be friendly, considerate and kind.
