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Grad fashion show brought back memories while raising funds in Barriere

Grad 2024 fashion show at Barriere Secondary walked through decades
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Ed Celesta and granddaughter, Leilani Celesta walking the runway together during the 2024 Grad Fashion Show fundraiser for dry grad at Barriere Secondary School on May 1. Ed Celesta is also a former graduate of BSS and the first to graduate from Simpcw First Nation at the high school in 1963. (Photo by: Reba Escott)

The 27th annual Barriere Secondary School (BSS) grad fashion show took place on May 1 at the BSS gym with a packed house of more than 300 guests in attendance.

This year’s 2024 grad class walked through the decades of music with the theme ‘Walking through the Decades’. Starting with a little 1950s ‘Jailhouse Rock’, followed by the 1960s version of ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’, and some hits from each decade leading up to this grad year in 2024. There were 19 graduates participating in the show out of the 30 grads this year.

Masters of ceremonies for the evening were Mrs. Farrow and grad Tom T. offering a colourful commentary as each decade was represented by a model wearing a grad dress or two from each era.

An interesting and memorable part of the theme was the connection many of this year’s graduation class has to previous graduates, either being second-generation grads from BSS or even some fourth and sixth-generation grads.

Some previous graduates’ stories included meeting in high school, marrying and raising their families in the area.

One 2024 graduate, Dontay Parish’s grandparents, Rob and Shirley met in high school and graduated together in 1971, marrying in 1972 and raising their own family in Barriere.

Graduate, Leilani Celesta’s Grandpa, Ed was the first Simpcw First Nation graduate. When Mr. Celesta graduated there were only six students in his graduating class that year.

The evening’s festivities were made even more memorable when the final formal walk included the 2024 grads walking the runway with a previous BSS grad, accentuating the special theme of ‘Walking through the Decades’ as a finale that will long be remembered.

The silent auction during the evening was very successful and the grad class of 2024 thanked all of the sponsors and contributors, with proceeds going to this year’s dry grad celebrations.

The grad class thanks the following people and businesses for their support: Mrs. Luison, Annex Thrift Store, Little & Large Liquidations, Natural Resources Department for Simpcw First Nation, and Bailea Wittner.

Silent Auction Contributors: Armour Mountain Bookkeeping & Tax Services Inc., Robin Schilling, the communities of Barriere and Chu Chua.

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Barriere Secondary School 2024 grads sporting Barriere sports jackets during the fashion show on May 1 in the theme of ‘Walking through the decades’. The fundraiser is the 27th and involved some previous graduates and styles going back in time. (From Left to Right): Cohen Hunt, Leilani Celesta, and Fraser Schilling (Photo by: Earl Celesta)
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Barriere Secondary grad, Bobby Raye Farrow struts her style during the ‘Walking through the decades’ fashion show on May 1. (Photo by: Earl Celesta)
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Barriere Secondary School grads performed “These boots are made for walking” during the annual grad fashion fundraiser at BSS on May 1. The theme was ‘Walking through the decades’ and the proceeds go towards the 2024 dry grad celebrations. (From Left to Right): Kaydence Kolodiazny, LJ Elliot, Harmony Trommeshauser, Bobby-Raye Farrow, Alexis Nelson, Cassidy Calahasen (Photo by: Earl Celesta)
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Barriere Secondary graduate, Cassidy Calahasen, looking elegant in a formal gown during the 2024 BSS Grad Fashion Show with the them of ‘Walking through the decades’. All proceeds from the fundraising event go towards the dry grad celebrations. (Photo by: Earl Celesta)


About the Author: Hettie Buck

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