For Annalise Steadman, the golden moment of her senior high school year was when she heard that the mask mandate was being lifted.
That meant that her high school prom would go ahead.
“Up until then, we knew there was no possibility of a grad ceremony due to restrictions on gathering,” said the 17-year-old Royal Bay Secondary School grad. “I had hoped, but I had to tell myself that there was a possibility it would not happen. Once I heard the news, it was a golden moment and I said to myself: I think we will be all right.”
This year marks the return of in-person graduation ceremonies and other large gatherings in the wake of multiple cancellations since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.
“It was super amazing to do it in person, in front of my parents in the University of Victoria auditorium,” said Steadman, who had two grad ceremonies — one with the rest of her class and one with other Indigenous students from the region.
Over the past two years she has had virtual classes or attended classes that were half full due to restrictions on the number of students allowed in a room at the same time.
Grad Taja Dalep of Edward Milne Secondary School in Sooke had a similar experience.
“I didn’t see some friends much for two years because … in our school, if your last name started with A to N, you would have morning classes. If you were M to Z, you were in the afternoon.
Like Steadman, Dalep is grateful to have an in-person grad ceremony. “I feel bad for the last two grads. It feels like they didn’t get their full high school experience.” She said the last two years pushed her in ways that she had not expected, although she feels as if she has grown from the experience. “It felt as we were thrown curve balls. We managed to persevere by learning to adapt, as each year was different.”
As for Steadman, she got a job working on an organic farm, which ended up being a game-changer. “I liked the experience so much that I have decided to go to the University of Alberta to pursue an agriculture degree.”
Other grads appreciated the time spent at home, instead of going to school.
“Staying at home gave me more time to focus on what I liked to do — to write,” said Robert Shirley, a grad from Oak Bay High School. “It just re-affirmed my choice of career.”
Although he enjoyed the solitude, he said that being able to return to in-person events was like a breath of fresh air.
“Everything is more enjoyable, more fun,” he said.
The only thing he would change would be the timing of his class dinner-dance (they don’t call it a prom at his school) to celebrate his graduation.
“We had it at the end of May and it was a blast, but having to go back to school to finish off the school year after that is a drag.”
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