THUNDER BAY – It’s been a rough four years for Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute’s class of 2020.
COVID-19 might have been the least of their worries.
Two years ago the school opened its doors to students from Sir Winston Churchill Collegiate and Vocational Institute, which was closed by Lakehead Public Schools.
Students and staff had to endure a lengthy construction period as the south-side school was expanded to accommodate the growing numbers.
In 2018 a beloved peer mediator and football coach, Domenic Barbiero, died suddenly, bringing the school community to its knees.
This past March brought the COVID-19 pandemic, cutting short their graduating year, which deprived them of their traditional graduation, a chance to walk across the stage in the caps and gowns and put an official end to their high school careers.
Westgate students weren’t forgotten, though.
On Tuesday staff at the school painted their vehicles in Tiger colours and paid individual visits to graduates, presenting them with their caps and gowns for a photo op with family and friends, any awards they might have won and a replica diploma – their real one coming later by mail.
Brenna Prouse, 17, said it wasn’t the graduations she’d envisioned, but it was awesome that her principal would take the time to travel around the city to recognize high school accomplishments.
“I think it’s a really special thing to get a little bit of closure,” said Prouse, her family and two best friends watching from a short distance away.
“It’s really nice to know they are willing to put time back into us and show that they really care for us.”
It’s been a tough year, she added.
“I think it’s definitely been pretty difficult. Our teachers have definitely been making a lot of accommodations for different students.”
Her mom, Stacy Cameron-Prouse, took time off work on Tuesday to see her daughter officially graduate high school.
It’s not quite the same, but in some ways, maybe it’s a little more special, she said.
“I think it’s wonderful they’re doing this for them. It gives them at least something,” Cameron-Prouse said.
Westgate principal Coral Szyszka, whose school had three groups of three fanning out across the city and into rural communities in the surrounding area to deliver graduation packages, said it was something they felt they had to do for the students.
“I think it’s very special to look the kids in the eye and personally tell them thank you for four amazing years. This class, probably more than any other, has gone through some really challenging times.”
Westgate wasn’t the only high school celebrating its graduates this week. Staff at Hammarskjold High School was also out on Tuesday for individual ceremonies.
Eighteen-year-old Kiana Naser, the school’s valedictorian, was among those on the drive-by route. She mentioned it’s been tough trying to capture the high school experience. This year’s graduates had their 2018-19 school year interrupted multiple times by a series of threats before COVID-19 brought their final year to a premature close.
“Things have been so different, compared to our first two (years),” she said.
“It’s definitely been kind of interesting reaching out to people and asking what their outlook was on last year and what they’ve been doing this year and trying to put it altogether to show how much different of a journey we’ve been on in high school. It definitely makes for a really good story to tell.”
Students at Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute will receive their diplomas on Wednesday.
