After four years together, many of the grade 12 students graduating on Saturday, June 4, will be going separate ways.
Some will remain in Powell River and some will start jobs; others will study a trade. Also, some students will leave town for no other reason than using their freedom to do as they wish.
For Brooks Secondary School students Teresa Coe, Ricci Leitch, Sydney Liknes and Jeremy Hopper, their collective wish is to continue academic studies at university.
On behalf of their fellow graduates, the four aspiring academics will have the responsibility of delivering the annual messages to teachers, students and parents at the upcoming graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 4, at Powell River Recreation Complex.
Teresa Coe
Coe’s favourite subjects are chemistry and biology. She credits her science teacher, Pat Gordon, for inspiring her love of science and the reason why she will continue studies in science at University of Northern BC in Prince George.
“I plan to get my bachelor of science,” said Coe. “My grand goal is to be a triple doctor with a doctor of veterinary medicine in veterinary pathology, an MD in human pathology and my doctorate in forensic pathology.”
Coe said her favourite teacher was Monica McSween in mathematics. Coe will be delivering the message to the teachers.
“What needs to be said is a giant thank you, which is what I formed my speech around, because the teachers who you spend your time with in high school are the ones who spark your interests and how you are as a person,” she said. “They get you ready for real life.”
Ricci Leitch
Leitch’s highlight from high school is winning a provincial championship with the senior girls soccer team.
“It was the first time Brooks has ever made it to provincials and we won,” said Leitch. “That was super exciting.”
Academically, she describes herself as being “even across the board; nothing great, nothing bad,” she said.
Leitch plans to enter general studies for her first two years at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops and then apply to the school’s social work program. She has also committed to the university’s women’s soccer team.
“I want to work with people with mental health and addiction issues,” she said.
Leitch said her favourite teacher at Brooks was Lisa Gunn. “She’s such a sweetheart, she’s always so happy,” said Leitch. “I never liked social studies until grade 11, and she made the course super engaging.”
Leitch will be giving the message to her fellow students, along with Sydney Liknes.
Sydney Liknes
Liknes’ most memorable experience at Brooks is the same as Leitch’s, winning the provincials with the soccer team.
“I haven’t had a worst experience, but I’ve had some unlucky experiences”, said Liknes. “I’ve had a cast for the last month of grade 12. I’ve been in a boot cast twice. I’ve never not been injured, but it’s okay.”
Her favourite subjects were physical education and social studies. “I am not good at physics; it’s just not my thing,” she said.
Liknes will be attending Vancouver Island University, where she plans to obtain a bachelor of education and become an elementary school teacher.
Liknes and Leitch’s message to fellow students will be about memories and the good things they shared.
“High school went by really fast,” said Liknes. “We want to remind everyone about our experience.”
Jeremy Hopper
Hopper singles out Anne Hutchings as one of his favourite teachers.
“I took a business class in grade 10, marketing 10 and 11. It was a last-minute decision and she made it really enjoyable and fun,” said Hopper. “I realized that was what I wanted to go into.”
Hopper plans to obtain a bachelor of commerce at University of BC’s Sauder School of Business.
“I want to go on to become a lawyer. My mom went there, too,” he said.
Hopper said his mom is sad about him leaving, although at the same time she wants him to go out and get on with his life. Hopper will be giving the message to parents on behalf of his fellow students.
“With my business mind, I took a monetary approach to thanking the parents,” he said. “In grade seven, I read this article about how much it is to raise your child until they’re 18. It was this crazy number. I’m not going to give it away because it’s in my speech, but it was crazy. I couldn’t believe it.”
All four students said they have bittersweet feelings about leaving high school and Powell River. They all said they will miss the teachers. Sentiments range from Leitch, who said she is already planning the weekends she can home, to Coe, who is very excited about leaving.
