KENNETCOOK: Graduates at Hants North Rural High, like all those across the province, dealt with adversity as their senior year in school was cut short due to the COVID19 pandemic.
In her Valedictorian speech before family at Findley Park in Noel Road, Lauren Ottewell spoke to her fellow graduates about the uncertain times and how their year came to an end much sooner than any of them had thought it would.
“We may not have been able to finish the year as we planned, but we made the most out of the situation we were presented with,” said Ottewell in the speech at HNRH graduation on June 27.
PHOTO GALLERY: HNRH holds ‘amazing’ community graduation (Submitted photos)
The graduating class of HNRH thought they may never be able to graduate with their fellow peers like they had hoped. But thanks to the amazing community help and gratitude they were able to have a wonderful ceremony hosted by parents of most of the graduates and community members.
Kings-Hants MP Kody Blois; Gerry Alley; and Heidi Brown were the guest speakers for the afternoon while Larry Cameron volunteered to announce the graduate’s names when it was time.
Ottewell began her speech by recognizing the Hants North Recreation and development association along with the Hants North Baseball Association for allowing the use of Findley Park for the graduation event.
Ottewell said that grads had learned a lot as a group of individuals during the past few years.
“We have learned to grow and become better versions of ourselves. But most importantly we have learned to build friendships, ones that will last a lifetime and more,” she said. “Throughout our years here we have gained knowledge that will no doubt be valuable for us as we go forward in life.”
She said “uncertainty” is another word for opportunity.
“We must take this opportunity to open doors for us for the future, and achieve our goals we have set for ourselves,” said Ottewell.
Ottewell said when people told her that her high school years would pass in the blink of an eye,
She never believed them,
“Until today standing in front of all of you presenting the valedictorian speech, it almost feels like yesterday we were little kids in grade 7,” she said. “I’m sure we can all remember showing up on the first day of high school feeling extremely overwhelmed, looking up to the seniors and thinking to ourselves that they looked like adults.
“Here we are graduating today.”
