First you turn the tassel and then everyone tosses their hat in the air as a celebration. After a long ceremony in a very warm gymnasium, the grads were very happy to follow the tradition. Tinkess Photo

IROQUOIS – While they sat waiting to become the Seaway District High School class of 2023, the students could be excused if they thought that someone had added one additional requirement they had to achieve before receiving their diploma.

To say it was warm in the gym would be an understatement, and I can only imagine how much warmer it was, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with a gown on top of your regular clothing and a cap on your head.

These graduates, however, did exactly what they have done for the past four years: they dealt with it with the same determination they had faced for the pandemic, online learning, social distancing, and every other unusual hurdle they faced. They just dealt with it, as if to say, “Is that all you’ve got? Bring it on!”

Many people claim that the past four years have adversely affected many students and history will confirm or deny that, but whatever else it did, it added an additional level of tenacity and, clearly visible on their faces, pride as well in having faced these obstacles and come out stronger on the other side.

They had support, that much is obvious from the number of people who came to witness their big day as well as the kind words of the teachers, support staff and administrators who recognized their efforts and their ultimate success.

There was also the support of the community, most obvious in awards and bursaries that totalled more than $40,000, a significant amount that, for many students, is the difference when deciding what to do next with their life.

There is little doubt that each student that walked across the stage felt a sense of satisfaction, achievement, and pride regardless of how well they did. On this day receiving their diploma is the goal, and if you managed to do that, then mission accomplished. Grades go on transcripts, not diplomas.

There was one student, whose name seemed to be called with unusual frequency, and that student was Class of 2023 Valedictorian Eshal Ali. In addition to being selected Valedictorian, Ali also won the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award, the Outstanding Graduate Award, and the Governor General’s Medal.

She added numerous other subject proficiency awards and $4,000 in bursaries and to top that off was one of 20 students across Canada to win a TD Scholarship for Community Leadership valued at up to $70,000 for tuition and living expenses at college or university. There were 2,700 applicants. Ali will be attending Queens University in the Honours Health Sciences program in the fall.

Ali achieved honours status (above 90 per cent) each year at Seaway and graduated with a combined average of 97.46 per cent.

In her Valedictory speech, Ali spoke of what she and her classmates had experienced. “While writing the speech and recognition of our time together, I was at a loss for words,” said Ali. “Shocking I know. As what we have gone through has been indescribable for both the good and the bad. From a regular Grade 9 [class], which quickly turned into one full of COVID-19, and the world “unprecedented” to on and off virtual schooling. And finally, a full in-person return to our learning. It has been a lot. And not only did we survive, but we thrived. Of course, there were many challenges, but we faced them together. And today we are here recognizing the resilience we all have. We made it. Our next adventure begins, take pride in how far you’ve come and have faith in how far you will go. Congratulations graduates. Let’s go win the next chapter in our story.”