The new Carlton Comprehensive High School tradition continued indoors for the third year for the Class of 2026 on Tuesday.
The ceremony began at the CPAC gym where graduates crossed over to receive their diplomas in front of family and friends. During the COVID-19 pandemic and up until two years ago graduates crossed over on the steps of the school.
The ceremony took place in CPAC with students dispersed throughout the morning and into the middle of the afternoon.
Agustin David was named the Valedictorian and was surprised to be selected.
“I had a lot of people rooting for me, but I still was really surprised when I got it,” David said. “My heart was beating so fast. It was an experience. I really thought that one of the other contenders would get it.”
David said that the other two contenders were strong including Damien Court who felt was especially strong competition.
“I heard a lot of good things about him that it would be hard,” David said. “I mean, I would have been happy with whoever got it because we all deserve it. But I’m really happy that I got it. It’s awesome to be a valedictorian of a class of like 350 people.”
David came to Prince Albert halfway through his Grade 9 year from Chile. His first language was Spanish, and while he did take English lessons before moving his command of the language was not great.
He said that made it difficult to find friends at first.
“If you get here at the start of Grade 9, it’s easier because everyone’s looking for people,” he said. “But halfway through Grade 9, the groups are formed and they’re not looking for more people. Grade 9ers tend to judge more too.”
David said when students are younger they do not have a filter and as a new student he did experience some bullying, which he said was kind of expected.
“Many of the immigrants that I met had the same experience happened to them. My first few years weren’t really that great. I wasn’t really doing much until like Grade 10, where I joined the guitar building club.”
David said that he turned the corner when he went into the club and met the teachers and built his guitar.
“That was like the first time I actually felt like Canada was a place to be, but I still had some like trouble with friends. I really didn’t have anyone close,” David said.
That changed in Grade 12 when he joined the Carlton Beam Team. He also joined five different bands at the school and joined the musical production of Mamma Mia!.
“I found my niche, and I found so many people now. It’s funny because my girlfriend, I met her this year too. When we walk in the hallways now, she always gets surprised that everyone
knows me. Like everyone says hi to me, which my Grade 9 self would not have thought (was possible),” David said.
All of David’s best memories of Carlton come from his Grade 12 year, which he said was not a surprise.
The band trip to Banff was one of his top memories. In band, David plays drums and guitar but he also plays bass and piano. He also said that the production of Mamma Mia! Was memorable.
“There’s something about experiences like these that make you feel like you are part of something really like a family,” he explained. “I started not knowing anyone and, well, part of why I’m with my girlfriend is because of the musical. A lot of my friends come from the musical. At the start I was just the stage manager. But then after, everyone knew me and now I’m like their friend.”
David learned he had been named valedictorian at the Grad Walk in May and had finished his speech by mid-June.
“I have a few messages in there. First off don’t change yourself to find people,” David said.
He explained that the message came from his own experiences coming to Carlton in the middle of Grade 9.
“At the start where I was bullied, I tried to change and be okay with the bullying and like be part of that group. But then I realized that I was doing something really wrong.”
He said that just being himself made himself much happier.
“I found my people and I’m so happy,” he said. “My Grade 9 self would not believe where I am right now.
“That’s one of my messages then, just be humble, don’t brag too much, just do what you’re supposed to do. Just be happy and let others be themselves.”
David plans to attend the University of Alberta for mechanical engineering. He’s very interested in aerospace design.
“My plan right now is after getting my undergrad, probably doing a major on aerospace engineering and work anywhere where I can build spaceships and stuff,” David said.
David added that he was really happy to be named Valedictorian and thanked his teacher for supporting him.
During the noon hour ceremony, Elizabeth Sulewski received the Governor General’s Award, which was presented by Vice Principal Rylan Michalchuk and Saskatchewan Rivers trustee Barry Hollick. Sulewski achieved a 98.9 average in Grade 12 and when asked after receiving the Award said that she was surprised. Sulewski planned to enter the toxicology field.
Ferguson’s predecessor Jeff Court said the idea for the unique setup for graduation came from their desire to promote the school’s goals and values about families, relationships, equity and kindness.
As has become tradition for each student, teachers read the announcement of the graduate and included memories and each student’s future plan. Teachers who affected students’ lives also posed with each graduate.
The day concluded with the Grand March in the CPAC Gymnasium. This included the speeches by David, Hollick, Superintendent Kelly Gerhardt, Ferguson and others.
michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca
