{"id":29650,"date":"2022-07-10T02:31:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-10T05:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelaker.ca\/?p=29650"},"modified":"2022-07-10T02:31:00","modified_gmt":"2022-07-10T05:31:00","slug":"photos-lockview-high-grads-celebrated-in-ceremonies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/?p=29650","title":{"rendered":"PHOTOS: Lockview High Grads celebrated in ceremonies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;93&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;148&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Inspiring valedictorian speech sends LHS grads onto the next steps of their lives<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MAIN PHOTO: LHS grads pose for photos after their grad ceremony in the morning at MSVU. (Healey photo)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BEDFORD:<\/strong> A heartfelt, inspiring valedictorian speech at the Lockview High graduation ceremony last month saw many in the crowd need to have extra Kleenex for the tears that rolled down their faces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Quincie Grant gave such a speech that even a couple days later people were still talking about it and what a speaker he was, even one that should enter politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Grant, one of the 276 graduates who crossed the stage at the Seton Auditorium at Mount Saint Vincent University where Lockview held their graduation ceremony in two separate services, started his morning ceremony speech talking about his mom being a single mom raising him, and his stepdad coming into their lives and being his dad, motivating him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His family was in the crowd, and he pointed to them on a couple of occasions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_3835-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29787\"\/><figcaption>LHS valedictorian Quincie Grant points towards his family in the crowd. (Healey photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;72&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;31&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As he started out his valedictorian speech, Grant said he was \u201cdeeply honored and humbled\u201d to have been standing before his fellow peers as the Valedictorian,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He wanted to thank all the teachers at LHS who contributed to moulding us into the young, strong, successful, intelligent young adults sitting in cap and gowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI&#8217;m speechless to how fast these years have gone by with you all, and I&#8217;m thankful that you all have given me this platform and become a part of my life,\u201d Grant said in his speech. \u201cWe have succeeded and been set back. We have triumphed and we have fallen. Some have loved and some have lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOthers may have given up, sat down, and embraced failure, but not us. No, we stayed strong through our hardships and with every setback we responded with two steps forward. We confronted the herds, withstood the bumps and bruises of high school and the failed tests, the failed classes, the failed relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate group=&#8221;6&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;127&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_4043-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29791\"\/><figcaption>Melissa Hann receives her graduation diploma from Lockview principal Kelly MacLeod. (Healey photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNone of these were enough to stop us from standing here today. We learned from our mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd the hardship that we&#8217;ve endured over these last two years. We have become strong, and we have persevered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He said it took the graduates years of hard work to be able to walk across the stage and have those who love them look at us with admiration were rewarded for our patience and, we must say, patient, as we leave this part of our lives behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThroughout the next steps of our lives, we may not immediately succeed,\u201d Grant continued. \u201cIt may take a year, five years, 10 or 20, but we will not fail. For lack of success has only fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf you allow it to conquer, we must say strong and we must say vigilant. We&#8217;ve achieved something today, graduates. We now hold the world at our hands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"LHS Grads 2022 - morning ceremony\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jCcz2F2KF8Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_3672-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29785\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_3536-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29781\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;84&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;169&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_3685-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29786\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Grant said the past is something that humans often cling to, as it is the only thing they know to be true and to be definitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBut we cannot allow ourselves to dwell so much on the past that we forget about the present and the future: the past does not belong in the present,\u201d he said. \u201cWe must live without regrets. Think back to our first day at Lockview, to our grade nine orientation, back in the days before the gathering restrictions remark on how distant this day felt, how far out of reach it may have seemed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s here today, today will live forever within us, but just as this day came, it shall go, shall tomorrow and shall the next. So look around you, take it in, look at the faces of your Classmates, look at the faces of your friends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_3595-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29782\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate group=&#8221;7&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;25&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The more than seven-minute speech, which followed one by Principal Kelly MacLeod, continued enthralling the crowd as they listened intently as Grant spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe may hail from different provinces or countries, you may come from wealth, and you may not, but today we are together as one,\u201d he said. \u201cWe hold open arms to those of different nationality, religion, creed, race, Sexuality, gender identification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe hold no wise towards each other, for we are all family, for we are all Dragons, Dragons!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"LHS grads entrance - afternoon ceremony\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vDRw-T3SnTM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_3225-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29777\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_3842-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29788\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe now stand with finite possibilities, ahead of us lies the rest of our lives, a new journey, a story that only we can write.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBe proud of yourselves, be proud of each other and look forward to what the future holds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In ending his Valedictorian speech, Grant had a simple message for his fellow grads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLife is an opportunity, and we are opportunists,\u201d said Grant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;123&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;150&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_3611-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29784\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_3303-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29779\"\/><figcaption>Emily Alford has her tassel on her cap turned by Principal Kelly MacLeod. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Several top awards were handed out to graduates after each had received their diplomas. Those included the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sarah MacDonald Miles \u2013 Citizenship Award (morning service)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Molly White \u2013 Citizenship Award (afternoon service)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hannah MacLeod- Dragon\u2019s Fire Award (morning ceremony)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Olivia Chute \u2013 the Governor General\u2019s Medal (morning ceremony)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Holly Legere &#8211; Queen Elizabeth II Medal (afternoon ceremony)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_3226-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29778\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_3159-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29774\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;95&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many bursaries and scholarships were handed out to the graduates as well and were announced (if the grad wanted them to be) as they crossed the stage to accept their diploma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After the morning ceremony, many gathered outside for photos with friends and fellow grads as keepsake memories of the day under the hot summer sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Laker News was very honoured and grateful to LHS for allowing us to be at the ceremony to cover it and snap some photos (we took about 1200 pics between the two services.). It was hard to decide on which photos to use in this story as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_3496-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29780\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_3874-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29790\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;34&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_3169-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29775\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_3177-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29776\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;126&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;156&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;93&#8243;] [adrotate banner=&#8221;148&#8243;] Inspiring valedictorian speech sends LHS grads onto the next steps of their lives MAIN PHOTO: LHS grads pose for photos after their grad ceremony in the morning at MSVU. (Healey photo) BEDFORD: A heartfelt, inspiring valedictorian speech at the Lockview High graduation ceremony last month saw many in the crowd need [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":29789,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,957],"tags":[2,4,2522,3919],"class_list":["post-29650","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-news","tag-fall-river","tag-lhs","tag-lockview-high-school","tag-quincie-grant"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29650","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=29650"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29650\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29650"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29650"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29650"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}