The 2016 Barriere Secondary School’s Graduation Commencement Ceremony was held last Friday in a stunningly decorated Barriere curling rink with approximately 450 attending the proceedings. Thirty-three young people received their diplomas, along with over $40,000 in scholarships and bursaries to help further their education.
Mayor Virginia Smith joined with a number of guests to greet the grads and the audience.
“I want to address all those who helped the grads to get here,” said Smith in her speech, “A job well done!”
Other speakers included SD73 Director of International Education and a past principal of Barriere Secondary Dean Coder, SD73 Trustee Rhonda Kershaw, Simpcw First Nation Chief Nathan Matthew, and Barriere Secondary (BSS) past graduate and past Wall of Fame inductee Dr. Kee Jim (whose family have lived, worked, and raised their children in the Little Fort/Barriere area for five generations).
In his address Jim said, “Grads, you are extremely lucky to have grown up in Barriere, which is a close-knit community. Rural living teaches self-reliance and problem solving. You never want to abandon the conviction of your own mind, never underestimate yourself, and you must pursue what you are deeply passionate about.”