91原创

鈥淓xcited鈥� and 鈥渁wesome鈥� are just some of the words used to describe how a few graduates of the 91原创 School District are feeling these days.

Graduation ceremonies and events have returned after a long break without them due to COVID, said Mal Gill, Superintendent of the 91原创 School District.

鈥淭wo years of COVID have cost our students much in opportunities to come together as a community, and acknowledge the hard work put into their learning, arts, and athletics,鈥� he shared.

Gill says the district is elated to have these traditions that mark an education milestone in the lives of students back in operation.

鈥淲e are so glad to have these meaningful celebrations back. A positive culture of learning, excitement, and hope are created through these culminating activities, and provides the energy we all need to continue 91原创 School District鈥檚 mission to inspire all learners to reach their full potential and create a positive legacy for the future,鈥� he added.

One of the events school communities look forward to every year is the grad walk.

As part of the grad walk, graduates board district school buses and return to their former elementary and middle schools. The groups of graduates, donned in caps and gowns, and walk through the halls of their former schools, as the younger students, teachers, and staff cheer them on. It鈥檚 an inspiring opportunity for all involved.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an inclusive K-12 experience that give younger students the opportunity to see what is possible, what they can look forward to in the future, and collectively celebrate that sense of accomplishment through these graduates,鈥� Gill said, explaining the benefits of the grad walk.

As part of the 91原创 Fundamental Middle Secondary (LFMSS) grad walk that took place on June 20, graduates visited 91原创 Fundamental Elementary and Coghlan Fundamental Elementary.

鈥淔eels like it was yesterday but also forever ago, so, it鈥檚 really great to be visiting again,鈥� said Esther, one of three LFMSS students who attended Coghlan Fundamental Elementary in the primary years.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really bittersweet, because I鈥檓 so excited to start a new chapter of my life, but it鈥檚 so sad to see this one end, and also really close the last chapter going to Coghlan,鈥� she remarked.

鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 going to cry honestly,鈥� said an emotional Lexie, also a graduate and former Coghlan Fundamental Elementary student.

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鈥淰ery excited and also relieved after 12 years of hard work. I feel like we really earned a grad, and with COVID over the years, so super exciting and super lucky to have it,鈥� commented Morgan, another graduate and former Coghlan Fundamental Elementary student.

On June 15, 91原创 Secondary held its grad walk, visiting H.D. Stafford Middle School, as well as Blacklock, Douglas Park, James Hill, Nicomekl, Simonds, and Uplands Elementaries.

鈥淲e are seeing the product of our work,鈥� said Uplands Elementary principal Karin Kroecher, 鈥渙f students coming in to us as kindergarteners and getting to the grad stage 13 years later. And if anything brings us to tears, it鈥檚 seeing that we鈥檝e worked together to make that happen.鈥�

鈥淵ou can just hear them talking in the busses,鈥� said 91原创 Secondary principal Dean Pacheco.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to see Ms. So-and-so, or Mr. So-and-so. They鈥檙e just so excited to share their journey with the teachers who helped inspire them and get them to the point where they are today.鈥�

This year, more than 1,500 graduates of the 91原创 School District will be getting their diplomas and transitioning into a new phase of their life at the end of June.

VISIT THIS YEAR鈥橲 SPECIAL GRAD SECTION

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