South Peace Historical Society

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  • Table of Contents

    • Part 1: First Nations of the Peace River Region
    • Part 2: The Fur Trade Era
    • Part 3: Transportation and Communication
    • Part 4: Old Timers and the Price of Land
    • Part 5: Dawson Creek: The Story of the Community
    • Part 6: Mysteries, Adventures and Indian Legends
    • Part 7: Arts, Crafts and Recreation
    • Part 8: Agriculture
    • Part 9: Church Histories
    • Part 10: Schools
    • Part 11: Health Care
    • Part 12: Industries and Enterprises
    • Part 13: Policing the Peace
    • Part 14: Pouce Coupe, Rolla, and Other South Peace Communities
    • Part 15: Chetwynd and the Fort St. John Area
    • Part 16: The Alberta Peace
    • Part 17: Natural History of the Peace River Region
    • Part 18: Interviews with Old Timers
    • Part 19: Remembering Our Veterans

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BN10-41: Class of 2001 Graduates

Recent History – 2001

June 11, 2001

By Mark Nielsen, Daily News Staff

In a weekend of pomp and circumstance, fun and games, fond memories and sage advice, more than 200 students celebrated graduation from South Peace Secondary School (SPSS).

Following a banquet and dance Friday night, the formal graduation ceremonies were held before a packed house at Memorial Arena the next afternoon.

Valedictorians Andrew Ho and Shari Raaen acknowledged parents and teachers for guiding them through their formative years. But the final words were saved for the grads themselves.

“Congratulations on reaching this important stepping stone in life,” Raeen said.

“Sometimes we forget how fortunate we are, in comparison with other parts of the world, to achieve such a high level of education.”

SPSS principal Sandy McDowell related a story of a carpenter who was building his last house before he retires. Uninspired and hoping to simply get it over with, the carpenter took the easy route and did a poor job.

“When the carpenter finished building the house, the contractor handed him the front door key,” McDowell said. “’This is your house,’ he said, Ôand I’m giving it to you.’

“What a shock. What a shame. If only he had known he was building his own house, he would’ve done it oh, so differently.”

McDowell encouraged graduates to look at their futures as if they were building their own houses. “Your life is made as a result of the attitudes and the choices of the past,” he said. “Your life tomorrow is made as a result of the attitudes and choices you make today.”

Nearly $75,000 worth of scholarships and bursaries were presented. As the top academic student Torunn Landsgaard was awarded the $4,000 Kiwanis Club of Dawson Creek Scholarship.

The Dry Grad ceremonies, which kicked off at 9 p.m. Saturday night and ended at 5 a.m. Sunday saw 170 grads out of the 210 take part in the number of activities. Another 174 guests were present to celebrate the occasion hosted at the Kin Arena.

The location was decorated in a carnival like atmosphere, and students could take to the dance floor, play some cards and win some prizes, play human foozeball, beach volleyball, jousting and even some lazer tag.

There was also a velcro obstacle course that attracted a number of grads, on numerous occasions.

According to Dorothy Michiel, one of the volunteers who organized the Dry Grad, it was a much better success than last year where about 50% of the graduating class participated. However, they hope to attract all the grads at the next Dry Grad.

Party goers could not bring anything with them inside, and once they left, they were unable to get back in. Michiel noted that most of the party-goers stayed until the end of the celebration.

This article is taken from the Peace River Block Daily News, Dawson Creek, with the permission of the publisher. The Daily News retains all rights relating to this material. The information in this article is intended solely for research or general interest purposes.

« BN10-40: Crescent Park School to Celebrate 40 Years of Education

BN10-42: Dry Kiln Opens at SPSS »

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