SCHOOLS – 15 schools, 1,000 students begin graduation-ceremony season

It will be a busy June for School District 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) as nearly 1,000 students from 15 schools and programs get set to end their secondary school careers and move on to bigger things.

The district will hand 970 students certificates of graduation this year. The first commencement exercise takes place tonight (May 26, 2017) in Barriere starting at 6 p.m., when 28 students will cross the stage. In the coming weeks, Grade 12 students in Kamloops, Chase, Logan Lake and Clearwater will be similarly recognized.

“This is an exciting time of year for all of us in the district,” said Bill Hamblett, SD 73’s Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools. “This is an important step for our young people. They are making a significant transition on their way to becoming adults and full members of our society.

“Many people — from parents and friends to school teachers, counsellors, principals and support workers — have helped them get here over many years. We truly want to wish them well as they continue on.”

Of note this year, SD 73 will graduate 38 students from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at Norkam secondary school, and more than 250 students who have taken courses or training in the district’s Transitions, Trades and Technology programs. Also, graduates were enrolled in 55 courses at Thompson Rivers University thanks to the TRU Start program, which allows Grade 12 students to take two university courses in their last year of high school studies.

As well as commencement exercises, there will be special celebrations of achievement, particularly the SD 73 Honours Banquet, which takes place May 30 at 7 p.m. at TRU. About 75 students — the top five per cent of this year’s class by academic standing — will be recognized for their hard work and success.

This year’s commencement exercise schedule:

Barriere — May 26

Twin Rivers Education Centre — June 5

Four Directions — June 6

Continuing Education — June 8

Logan Lake Secondary— June 9

First Nations Graduation — June 12

Norkam Secondary — June 13

South Kamloops Secondary — June 14

International Baccalaureate Program — June 14

Sa-Hali Secondary — June 15

Westsyde Secondary — June 16

Kamloops School of the Arts — June 16

Valleyview Secondary — June 17

Chase Secondary – June 23

Clearwater Secondary — June 23

For times and locations for each of the ceremonies, visit: http://www3.sd73.bc.ca/general/content/graduation-commencement-dates.