Au revoir and farewell to Laval Liberty High School's Class of 2007

It was an evening to reflect over accomplishments and remember those who passed through the doors before them. It was also an evening reminding the graduates that the future holds no limits, no boundaries, and no assurances.

Although students spend an average of only three years at Laval Liberty High School, like most high schools, graduation is no less a momentous occasion for them. A cold crisp evening did not deter family members and friends from attending the celebration for the Class of 2007.

A crowd of several hundred people congregated anxiously awaiting the special moment, and witnessed the enthusiasm and excitement of the returning students who gathered for one last time as a group, to celebrate their well-deserved achievements.

Elgar's heart-stirring masterpiece wasn't the only observance of tradition as Principal Eric Ruggi called on Brittany Isenberg of the Liberty Music Concentration Program to lead the gathering in the singing of O Canada, as everyone stood attentive, dignified, and responsive.

Exercising the prerogative of giving the Class of 2007 one last parting message, Mr. Ruggi set the tone for the rest of the ceremony as he congratulated the graduates for their achievements and hard work, while emphasizing that the presence of so many dignitaries testified to the importance of this last get together of these young people who would probably never experience another such moment of unity and cohesion for the rest of their lives.

True, there would be other passages, Mr. Ruggi hinted, but none like this one as the Class of 2007 gathered as a family of young people who had lived, learned and grown together at Western/Laval Liberty High School.

(This was the school's second graduating class, following the school's name change from Western Laval High School to Laval Liberty High School in 2005.)

Mrs. Joan Wasserman, Pedagogical Consultant at the Laurier School Board, had high praise for Leisa Lee, guest speaker and graduate of the Class of 1982 (when the school was widely known and respected as Chomedey Polyvalent High School).

A graduate of Concordia University in communications enjoying success in the entertainment industry in Montreal, Leisa Lee advised the graduates to "Try something new in life, and find out what you like. Learn to love what you are going to do, choose well and choose carefully, so that it doesn't feel like just a job. You are the future, break away from the normal, do something different."

Leisa Lee's wise words were easily and eloquently echoed by Mr. Steve Bletas, Chairman of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, who invited the graduates to stay focused, exercise optimism, and enter the next phase of their lives with confidence in the face of many challenges. "Never lose sight of your dreams and remember always to stay positive."

Mr. Bletas also provided some meaningful perspective as he told the graduates that their success was in large part due to the dedication of parents, teachers, staff, and administrators who supplied the necessary support for these young people to actualize their potential, putting particular emphasis on the level of excellence of the educational services provided by teachers.

The recipient of several awards, including that of highest academic achievement, Maria took a look back and a step forward, delivering an address in which she emphasized that graduation is a time for reminiscing and reflecting on past accomplishments and an opportunity to celebrate friendships made and trials endured. "While not all school memories are happy ones, graduation is a time to be proud, a time to look to the future, and with graduation comes the opportunity to make changes," Maria stated, adding that with the freedom to change comes the responsibility of making changes for the better.

Describing the future as full of new directions, Maria gave one last look at the past commending teachers and parents for their commitment to the strengthening of their students and children as they journeyed through high school into the future.

A rather quaint but charming dimension of the ceremony at Laval Liberty High School was that the scroll received wasn't in fact the real diploma but instructions informing students about the procedure to follow to rescue their real diploma held hostage.

Upon Principal Ruggi's announcement of the 'fake' scroll (diploma), an outburst of laughter from both students and audience filled the hall from wall to wall, and set a rather happy tone for the rest of the evening.

As names were called, diplomas, awards, and bursaries conferred, students hugged and gladly posed for numerous graduation pictures. Mr. Ruggi could barely contain his emotion as he reflected on the energy and hope he and his staff had invested in these young people who were soon to embark on other adventures in learning and living.

"This is a day of fulfillment, a place of mind and spirit committed to raising successive generations of creative thinkers. Here, time has an added habit of circling back, the faces changing but not the commitment, not the hope, not the achievement," Eric Ruggi told Courrier Laval Weekly News.

As if to try and draw as much essence and substance from their last few moments together, the members of the Laval Liberty High School Class of 2007 enjoyed some very special bittersweet moments in the lobby, appearing drained of energy but exuding a spirit of 'we did it, and now it’s time to move on, in the fullness of understanding where we came from and more secure in knowing where we are going.'

Photos:Group, Hats

Photo:BletasMaria

(Photo: Maya)

Photo:Participaction

(Photo: Maya)

Photo:Parents

(Photo: Maya)