Molly McDowell-Powlowski leaves Belmont secondary with mixed emotions.
It hasnB次元官网网址檛 always been easy, but the soon-to-be graduate said her three years at the school are a collective experience she will always remember.
B次元官网网址淓ven though we are all nervous and kind of scared in what comes next, from the studentsB次元官网网址� perspective it is great to finally see the fruits of our labour,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淭o see that community at the end of it, that is a great feeling.B次元官网网址�
The school valedictorian leads BelmontB次元官网网址檚 2014 graduating class into SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 (June 7) ceremony at the University of Victoria, leaving behind a faculty and staff she says taught her not only the value of academics, but community.
Students and teachers working together on initiatives such as the food drive 10,000 Tonight B次元官网网址� roughly 20,000 items were collected for the Goldstream Food Bank last December B次元官网网址� were also important pieces of her education, she adds.
B次元官网网址淔rom a student perspective it is not an easy three years. You are finding yourself and figuring out who you are,B次元官网网址� said McDowell-Powlowski, 17.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 incredible. Any teacher, any administrator, you are able to approach them and get help whenever you need. The faculty are the most inspirational people and you always have someone to look up to and go to. We wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be here at grad without the amazing staff.B次元官网网址�
The 400 or so students who will graduate from Belmont this year are the second-to-last class to graduate from the existing school building. The school moves to a new location nearby for the 2015-2016 year.
B次元官网网址淭he neat thing about this year is they have been here for three years and I will have been here for three years, so we are going to be graduating together,B次元官网网址� said principal Ray Miller, laughing. B次元官网网址淭he only problem is I will be back in September and they (wonB次元官网网址檛 be).B次元官网网址�
Besides that special connection, he feels mixed emotions seeing the students, many of whom he knows by name, start the next chapter of their lives.
B次元官网网址淭his has been an amazing experience as an educator, to see the last three years of their education pathway,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he system is designed for a lot of creativity and choice and that is what we typically see, students finding their passion and finding their dreams.B次元官网网址�
McDowell-Powlowski, too, is proud of the students sheB次元官网网址檒l graduate beside and looks forward to seeing what the future holds. B次元官网网址淚t is through your peers you can really find yourself. My friends are my role models B次元官网网址� these are the people who have such caring hearts.
B次元官网网址淲hat I have seen from so many Belmont students, when they put their passion and hearts into something, (they are) unstoppable. I am honoured to represent this group of people, because I know what is in store for them is an amazing, bright future. It is an amazing thing to see where it all starts.B次元官网网址�
Two ceremonies happen for Belmont students at the Farquhar Auditorium at UVic, one at 11 a.m. and the other at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
alim@vicnews.com
