Saskatoon principal eager for in-person grad celebrations

After two years of COVID-19 restrictions that limited students’ ability to bid farewell to their high school years and accomplishments, schools are preparing to celebrate their students in person once again.

Marnie Ross, principal at Saskatoon’s Aden Bowman Collegiate, says the excitement is building for the end-of-year celebrations.

“Getting ready for the in-person (celebrations), the excitement is getting bigger and bigger, especially as we’re getting … everything planned,” Ross said.

The caps and gowns have now arrived, finally making things feel real for the Class of 2022. Ross said until now, students have struggled to believe the grad would really go forward.

“I think that there was a little bit of a hesitancy to be really hopeful and really open with the excitement of how graduation was in the past,” she said.

“It’s been quite a journey to get here.”

Ross said that in 2020, the school had a largely virtual grad, informally celebrating students out on the front lawn in their caps and gowns and allowing them to walk through the school.

Ross said the event had a “close knit” feel to it.

The graduation in 2021 was similar, though the school was able to use its auditorium to have some more formalized proceedings. It was Ross’ first graduation as principal.
She said the proceedings took about six hours.

Other measures, like lawn signs provided by Saskatoon Public Schools for each student, went a long way towards helping grads feel special, even without the rite of passage of a full formal graduation.

“Looking back, we did all we could to let our Grade 12s know that they’re really special, that we really wanted to lift them up in celebrating them,” Ross reflected.

On theme with a fresh start after COVID-19, Ross said the school will be using a new location for its ceremonies this year. It plans to hold its graduation at Merlis Belsher Place.

The time since the last fully in-person graduation ceremony has meant students this year really don’t know what to expect from their own graduation, Ross said.

But as pieces fall into place — like parent groups starting to sell tickets for their graduation banquet and aftergrad festivities — things are becoming more real.

This week, students will listen to their peers deliver speeches to select their class valedictorian.

“I think as we’re getting closer to grad next month, the excitement is getting bigger,” Ross said.

She sees the coming ceremony as a sign of hope, not just of progressing past the COVID pandemic but also for the bright futures ahead of this year’s graduates.

That hopefulness and excitement have left Ross appreciating the milestone of celebrating in-person graduation once again.

“Our Grade 12s are going to be able to graduate in person with their families but then also be able to take that energy and go into the future being excited about going to university … or whatever adventures they’re going to move on to after graduating,” Ross said.