The Foothills Composite Class of 2021 didn’t have just one celebration during grad ceremonies on June 18 – it had 16.
The approximately 440 graduates in the Class of 2021 took part in the outdoor drive-in celebration in 16 separate cohorts over the course of the whole day in order to meet the requirements of COVID protocols.
“I think this is a good way to do it – we are still celebrating with some of our friends that we graduated with,” said graduate Andrea Felix while waiting in a vehicle with her father before going to the graduation area with her cohort. “It is such a big deal for me I can’t believe I am here. Time goes by so fast.”
Felix admitted it wasn’t what she imagined at the start of her Grade 11-year prior to COVID when she anticipated she would celebrate at a ceremony with all her fellow classmates and their families.
Felix will attend the University of Victoria in the fall and study biology.
It wouldn’t have mattered if Andrea would have graduated with three or 1,600 classmates to dad Luis Felix. His feelings would be the same – proud.
“I am so excited and proud, like Andrea said, time just flew,” he said. “It is so good to see Andrea graduating and achieving this goal.”
He was happy with the ceremony.
“I like that we have the opportunity to be with Andrea here and see her (cross the stage),” Luis said. “I’m okay with this.”
Foothills principal Vince Hunter said the celebration took countless hours of preparation by staff, parents and volunteers – all while the COVID-19 rules it seemed changed weekly.
“For months people have been working very hard,” Hunter said. “We have had staff who have worked hard to navigate and change plans so this day could happen smoothly.
“Last night, we had parents work shifts through the night. It’s been community involvement and everybody has embraced the opportunity.”
The day is special for the school community.
“This means the world to us,” Hunter said. “This means more kids can celebrate together, the families can come together a bit and our staff can contribute more.
“This is super-exciting for us.”
He said the Class of 2021 has had to deal with disappointments all year as they were kept in cohorts and not able to mingle with classmates as in the past due to COVID-19.
“I love them and I am proud of them,” Hunter said.
Graduate Hawk Edey was racing across the parking lot to meet friends after crossing the stage on Friday. He was also pleased with the ceremony.
“This means a lot to my personal journey to be out of this confinement (of COVID-19),” said Edey, who will attend Mount Royal University in the fall. “The school is awesome. They did a great job with everything they could.”
A valedictorian speech and ceremony will be presented online at a later time.
Graduand Jordan Hammer (left) arrives in a pumpkin carriage with her family from Step Ahead Carriage and Wagon Rides the graduation ceremony on June 18 for Ecole Secondaire Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts. Due to public health restrictions in place, the ceremony was held as a drive-in event with segments of students walking the stage over the course of the day. . By Brent Calver/OkotoksTODAY
Vice-principal Kathryn Strilchuk delivers a speech at the graduation ceremony on June 18 for Ecole Secondaire Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts. Due to public health restrictions in place, the ceremony was held as a drive-in event with segments of students walking the stage over the course of the day. . By Brent Calver/OkotoksTODAY
Teachers give a push after a parents' vehicle stalls at the graduation ceremony on June 18 for Ecole Secondaire Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts. Due to public health restrictions in place, the ceremony was held as a drive-in event with segments of students walking the stage over the course of the day. . By Brent Calver/OkotoksTODAY
(From left) Joanna Clark, Rufus Keith, and Tom MacLeod squeeze through their car sunroof to watch Carleigh MacLeod walk the stage at her graduation ceremony on June 18 for Ecole Secondaire Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts. Due to public health restrictions in place, the ceremony was held as a drive-in event with segments of students walking the stage over the course of the day. . By Brent Calver/OkotoksTODAY
Rae and Michael Hilton and their children Autumn Hilton and Willow Bekcer cheer on graduand Kjeldsi Hilton at the graduation ceremony on June 18 for Ecole Secondaire Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts. Due to public health restrictions in place, the ceremony was held as a drive-in event with segments of students walking the stage over the course of the day. . By Brent Calver/OkotoksTODAY
Friends and family of high school graduates look on in a drive-in graduation ceremony on June 18 for Ecole Secondaire Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts. Due to public health restrictions in place, the ceremony was held as a drive-in event with segments of students walking the stage over the course of the day. . By Brent Calver/OkotoksTODAY
Principal Vince Hunter delivers a speech at the graduation ceremony on June 18 for Ecole Secondaire Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts. Due to public health restrictions in place, the ceremony was held as a drive-in event with segments of students walking the stage over the course of the day. . By Brent Calver/OkotoksTODAY
Caps are tossed following the graduation ceremony on June 18 for Ecole Secondaire Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts. Due to public health restrictions in place, the ceremony was held as a drive-in event with segments of students walking the stage over the course of the day. . By Brent Calver/OkotoksTODAY
