When graduating students from Brooks Secondary School take part in the Grand March on Saturday, June 2, they mark the end of one journey and start of another.
The march has been choreographed and rehearsed; participants know the beginning, what happens in the middle, and the eventual outcome. Their school lives have also been based on routine: scheduled classes, whether elective, mandatory or prerequisite; predetermined Pro-D days, holidays and summer vacations; as well as assignments and exams.
Arduous or enjoyable, these activities all have a known beginning, middle and end, just like the Grand March, and result in few curves in the road. Sure, difficult situations arise and difficult decisions have to be made on occasion, but a structure exists from kindergarten through grade 12.
But once the march concludes and Dry Grad comes to an end, those routines and known outcomes are replaced by the roller coaster of life and decisions that determine futures, one question at a time.
And guess what? Sometimes there is no answer, other than going by a gut response and letting the cards fall where they may. Whatever happens, there is always another question, another chance, and another window of opportunity.
Extreme highs and lows are inevitable, and plenty of twists, turns and detours will follow. It is all part of the wonderful, sad, exciting, disappointing, euphoric, perplexing, surprising, unfathomable, gratifying and, hopefully, long journey each student will begin on Sunday, June 3.
Whether plans include post-secondary education, entering the workforce or starting a family, change is imminent and outcomes are, well, who knows?
When each of us thinks back on our own graduation, we remember the excitement of marking that milestone. We will never see some of the students we shared our school lives with and may only see others at reunions. Others will remain close friends for life.
Support systems for getting through hard times change as new friends at work or university replace those who travelled the same halls for a year or two, or maybe all 13.
For some, school is one of the best times of their lives; for others they just begin to grow and develop after leaving the halls of learning.
Either way, it is a time to celebrate an accomplishment shared by parents, teachers, extended family and friends. In Powell River, they will all pack Hap Parker Arena to show their support, good wishes and congratulations, while reminiscing on what was, what could have been and what is.
