​Grande Prairie, AB – This weekend marks the start of a succession of high school graduation ceremonies throughout Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWSD).

Ridgevalley School will host an intimate event for 16 graduates at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 5. Graduates chose an Enchanted Forest theme for the event.  

On Saturday, May 12, Peace Wapiti Academy (PWA), will host a commencement ceremony for 106 graduates at 10:30 a.m. at Evergreen Park's ENTREC Centre, followed by a social tea at 12:30 p.m. Guest speaker for the event is Mr. Randy Nagel, Assistant Principal of Sexsmith Secondary School and former PWA Physical Education Director and Athletic Director. Students will return later that evening for a Vincent van Gogh Starry Night-themed grand march beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Beaverlodge Regional High School will bid a fond farewell to 103 graduates on Friday, May 25 at the Beaverlodge Arena, with a cap and gown ceremony at 9:30 a.m. and grand march at 4:30 p.m. On the same day, Sexsmith Secondary School will send off 63 graduates during a cap and gown ceremony at 10:30 a.m. at the Sexsmith Arena.

On Friday, June 1, Spirit River Regional Academy's 41 graduates will gather at 1:00 p.m. for a cap and gown ceremony at the Spirit River Arena, followed a grand march event at 7:00 p.m. styled after a tongue-in-cheek The Great "Gradsby" theme.

Peace Academy of Virtual Education (PAVE), the Division's online school, will send off seven graduates during a gathering at Dunvegan Park on Wednesday, June 6 beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Eaglesham School will honour eight graduates on Saturday, June 9 during a Country and Western-themed ceremony at 2:00 p.m. in the school's gymnasium.

Superintendent Sheldon Rowe congratulates graduates on a job well done.

“The Board and Central Office staff join me in wishing all PWSD graduates the best in the future. We look forward to hearing of your successes as you advance to post-secondary education and future careers. It has been inspiring to see your dedication and efforts during the past thirteen years. We are very proud of your accomplishments.”

The last of the Division's eight high schools to host a commencement event, Savanna School takes a unique approach to its graduation ceremony. Proud of their "true" graduation tradition, the school holds off on celebrating until Alberta Education releases Diploma Exam marks, to ensure that all participants have met graduation requirements. The school will say farewell to nine graduates on Saturday, August 4 at the Savanna Rec Plex, starting with a dinner at 4:30 p.m., followed by a graduation ceremony at 6:00 p.m.

The following table summarizes the details of PWSD's Class of 2018 graduation events:

 
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