By Kate Taylor Plaskett & Kris Reitmeier

Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, guests, parents, and other loving family members. The two of us stand here today not only because of our personal achievements, but as a result of the strength and support we have received throughout our entire lives from staff, family members, peers, and community.

We would like to start with a traditional Native American proverb. It goes like this:

One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a “battle” that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two “wolves” inside us all. 
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.” 
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: 
“Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Growing up in such a small and tight knit community, and attending a school the size of ours, it is often easy to forget about the negativity that exists in our world. The demons of envy, greed, and ego are relatively non-existent within our Kootenay society.

As we stand here on the stage here today ready to enter the world and begin our lives, we are not unaware of the temptations, difficulties, challenges, and struggles that await us in our future. However, in light of this darkness, we are also aware of the opportunities, experiences, joys and good times. It is important that we maintain this mindset that growing up in our community has instilled within us; honesty, compassion, respect for diversity, integrity, dedication, and most of all, a sense of oneself and community.

We would like to say something about each of our fellow graduates.

Jamie- Jamie is never afraid to be himself. He knows what he believes, and if you think otherwise you are probably wrong. A creative genius, Jamie’s combination of thinking for himself and his powerful imagination are sure to take him far in this world.

Calvin- He always seems to be there when you need him, whether its work to be done, a problem to be solved, or just a friend to hang out with. His mind is just as strong as his biceps, and having a quality like that will take him to bigger and better places.

Eva- She is a social butterfly. A pink one, that is. We always know exactly what she is thinking. She is very opinionated and always speaks her mind, and often you find yourself doing exactly what she wants you to. This persuasive attitude makes her a determined leader, which no doubt will reflect in her future.

Kate- Kate is a very focused individual. Her eloquent vocabulary and dramatic personality always gets her noticed. She is the centre of attention wherever she goes, and her ambition will bring an infinite amount of opportunities.

Kris- Kris is always the best at anything he tries. He gives every job 110%, which anyone who has met him will tell you. At the moment, he’s a little gibbled, but his athletic ability is usually off the charts. He knows what he wants and is ready to take it, and this determination and drive to succeed make for a bright future.

Basically, what were trying to say is we all have a lot of things going for us, and there is no doubt that our respective abilities and passions will take us far.

We would like to conclude with a quote by George Bernard Shaw; “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Never, ever stop playing, and good luck in your future. Thank you and enjoy your afternoon.