Centennial Year Grad

After three years of attending Rosthern Junior College, I am about to leave the school as a member of the 100th graduating class. For three years RJC has been a big part of my life, taking part in sports, music, drama, coffee houses, guys' nights out, musicals, service projects, retreats, and when time allowed it, even school. The inclusion of almost the entire student body in all of these events, and the close relationships that are made are what this school is all about. I think those are the values that RJC was built upon.

In grade nine, my parents and I made the decision to enrol and give the school a shot. For me it wasn't as big a decision to make as it was for others, probably because I wasn't leaving home. Many of my friends were either going to go to RJC or would be close by in town. It wasn't as if the school was foreign to me anyway. Being the son of an alumnus, attending drama productions, open houses and concerts at the school had already made RJC quite a familiar place. The biggest reason why I chose to go wasn't because there was a better class selection or that there were better music, arts or sports programs. The reason I chose RJC was to meet and get to know new and exciting people. Looking back, I think I made the right decision.

Once I started attending the school I found that everyone was very welcoming of me as a new student. It didn't matter who I was, I was part of a group that included all students in all parts of school life. Everyone had their own stories and they all came from interesting backgrounds. It seemed like nothing about school life was monotonous and that every day had its new and exciting challenges. The school year starts busy and gets busier until the year is over. But that's one of the reasons RJC is so interesting and rewarding. I am only now beginning to explore what it means to be a member of not only an RJC graduating class, but of the 100th RJC graduating class. Walking through the halls looking at all the alumni, I think about all the memories that I have made in the past three years. I also think about what going to RJC has meant to so many other people over the past 100 years. I feel very privileged to be a part of a group of people from over 100 years with common values and beliefs. Being a part of the 100th year's graduating class is going to be very special. I will join my fellow classmates in celebrating the conclusion of our high school education, as well as the achievement of 100 years of an education with a plus. It will be a time of joy no other RJC graduating class will experience. Taking a look at 100 years of alumni while walking through the halls, I begin to suspect something that is special to RJC. Once you leave, you are more than just a picture on the wall. You become part of a greater community that seeks to shape the world with the same values that helped shape it. You become part of a tradition that won't soon be forgotten.

"I feel very privileged to be a part of a group of people from over 100 years with common values and beliefs, Being a part of the 100th year's graduating class is going to be very special."

[Author Affiliation]

Joel Thiessen lives in Rosthem with his parents. He plans to enrol in Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan in the fall.

-Editor's note