SACKVILLE, N.B. – As Tantramar Regional High School’s (TRHS) Class of 2018 crossed the stage of Convocation Hall on Saturday, they were encouraged to show resilience in facing all of life’s challenges.
Guest speaker Peter Hess reflected on a conversation he had in the fall with a member of the Tantramar Titans football team after they suffered their first defeat in two seasons, noting he told the student “losing this game will win you the championship.”
Hess said the team showed resilience following the loss, learned to work harder in order to succeed and did go on to win the 2017 provincial championship.
“The life lesson is that nothing can be taken for granted.”
Hess, a graduate of TRHS’s Class of 1983 and Mount Allison University’s Class of 1988, was an accomplished athlete in both basketball and football, serving on five TRHS provincial championship teams and playing in the Vanier Cup as part of the Mount A football Mounties. He was also drafted to the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes and is inducted into the Sackville Sports Wall of Fame.
He told the graduates resilience was important not only in sports but in all aspects of their lives moving forward.
“You will be facing situations you are not prepared for. Have faith. You will survive. You are a Titan.”
– Peter Hess
Co-valedictorian duties for the Class of 2018 were shared by Jeffrey Lafford and Lauren Shaw.
“First, we would like to thank all the parents and guardians who loved us, supported us and always pushed us to our limits, and sometimes past them,” Shaw said. “Without you, none of us would be sitting on this stage today and although we rarely admit it, we are thankful for all that you do.
“Second, we would like to thank the teachers and the staff at TRHS, who care about us not only as students but as people and who go out of their way every day to ensure that we succeed.
“Last but not least, we would like to thank our fellow graduates. It has been quite a ride and we are thankful to have had all of you by our side throughout it.”
TRHS principal Susan Lafford noted the wide variety of activities the graduates had been involved in during their high school years, both inside and outside the classroom, and thanked them for their contributions to the school and the larger community.
“Over the past four years you’ve attained knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that will be a foundation for the years ahead. Inside and outside the classroom, you’ve built valuable friendships, many of which will last a lifetime.
“Our Titan community is special because of what you’ve all contributed individually and worked together to achieve.”
More than $240,000 in scholarships and bursaries were handed out during the ceremony, as well as a number of other prestigious awards.
Elizabeth Estabrooks was the recipient of this year’s Jeffrey Goodwin Spence Memorial, which is awarded to a graduate who is involved in school activities, respected by both teachers and students, and is friendly, considerate and kind. The Class of ’82 Trophy, awarded to a graduate who shows outstanding leadership, who has contributed to the school over a number of years, and maintains a high academic average, was awarded to Catherine Priemer. Andrew Ollerhead was awarded the Esther Legere Award, which goes to the graduate who attains the second highest average. David Ingalls earned the Birks Medal for a combination of high scholastic standing and outstanding contribution to the school. Maeve Cockshutt was the recipient of the Governor General’s Medal and Certificate, which goes annually to the student graduating with the highest average on courses taken during Grade 11 and 12.
