By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Advance
The last steps of a journey started over a decade ago were celebrated at Gus Wetter School on June 29th.
The graduating class of 2021 came together for a final time on June 29th, for a combined prom and convocation ceremony. The event was smaller in scale than in years prior, but still maintained the air of celebration.
Lasting just over two hours, speakers included the Clearview Public Schools Superintendent Brenda MacDonald, former Gus Wetter Principal Daram Van Oers, former Gus Wetter Teacher Jason Faber, Clearview Public Schools Trustee Erika Grice, and current Gus Wetter Principal Wendy Coppock, each imparting final words of wisdom to the departing students.
The festivities were held in two parts, with the prom part of the event happening first, featuring several of the speakers, and then having the grads perform their ‘Grand March.’
After the march concluded, the grads left the gymnasium and prepared for the convocation part of festivities, while the attendees in the gym watched the grad video, created by grad Baylee Freimark.
When the graduates returned, they were wearing the traditional cap and gown. They took their seats again, sitting through a couple more speeches before things progressed to the awards part of the ceremony.
The first awards presented were the Class of 2021 Clearview Honour Roll, which is presented to students achieving 80 per cent or better in the core subjects.
Honourees for 2021 were Ryleigh Bunbury, Garrett Compton, Baylee Freimark, and Jaxon Michielsen.
The next awards presented were the Senior Council 30 Level Awards, which are presented to high school students achieving the highest scores in selected subjects.
In the two levels of English, winners were Baylee Freimark and Trent Weeks.
In the two levels of math, the awards were presented to Jaxon Michielsen and Ryleigh Bunbury. In Social Studies, the awards were presented to Garrett Compton and Raiza Marshall. In Biology, the award went to Garrett Compton again. In Physics, the award went to Baylee Freimark. Finally, in Foods, the award went to Ty Wetter.
The Senior Council Athletic Awards were presented next, with Dylann Rossing and Ryleigh Bunbury being presented as male and female athletes of the year. Logan Perry and Baylee Freimark were Honourable Mentions.
The next award handed out was the Clearview Teachers Association scholarship, which goes to, “The most deserving student in each of the high schools in Clearview. These students have attained the highest average of five advanced diploma courses (…) and are enrolled in a post-secondary institution.” The award for 2021 was presented to Baylee Freimark.
In addition to the Clearview Teachers Association Scholarship, a variety of other scholarships were presented.
In total, 18 additional awards were presented to many of the students.
The theme chosen by the graduating class for the ceremonies was ‘A year Behind a Mask,’ which is appropriate as the past year has been one unlike any other in recent memory.
Still the grads have risen to the challenges, overcome adversity, and have excelled.
Congratulations to Kyle Beverton, Erika Blumhagen, Ryleigh Bunbury, Garrett Compton, Cienna Duncan, Trey Erion, Baylee Freimark, Kristin Fuller, Payton Fuller, Kiara Gamroth, Cade James, Justin James, Raiza Marshall, Jaxon Michielsen, Logan Perry, Madelyn Rombough, Emily Ross, Dylan Rossing, Berlin Schnell, Taylor Seaba, Lenae Van Oers, Trent Weeks, and Ty Wetter, the graduating class of 2021!