Gaston Comeau, representative from the South Shore Regional School Board shared a few words of wisdom in bite sized pieces with the students.
"If you don't know what you want to do with your life, that's 100 per cent OK," he said, among other things.
"Graduating from high school is a great milestone in one's life. One of many more to come," he said. "Be excited, not nervous about the journey ahead of you"
The guest speaker of the evening was Cameron Strong, a teacher at the North Queens School. The theme of his speech was of embracing every learning opportunity they can get as they go through life.
"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 80 or 20. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in your life is to stay young," he said, quoting Henry Ford.
Strong said when he graduated high school, he didn't have much of a direction. So he decided to see the country, although it didn't turn out as he had imagined.
"After 4,000 km and 20 side of the road breakdowns later, I found myself face to face with reality," he said.
However he adds there was opportunity in his journey as well. It taught him the importance of commitment, and the desire to learn new things.
"Opportunity promised if I kept these two things written on a piece of paper in the dash of my 1992 ford ranger, then all future doors would be kept open and I would be able to accomplish anything I put my mind to," he said.
There will be roadblocks, he said, but encouraged the students to stay committed and it will work out in the end.
Strong also talked about his truck, and how over many years it has needed many repairs. He could have taken it to the shop to be fixed, he said, but instead committed himself to learning how to do it on his own.
"Here's where opportunity reminded me anything is possible. I just have to be willing to try," he said
It proved to himself that he could continue to learn in life, and wanted it to serve as an example of how the grads can accomplish any goal they want.
His final words of advice for the evening were this:
"Just remember that this learning journey never ends. Embrace it."
The Valedictory Address was given by Meggi Labrador and Connor Stafford, who thanked all the parents, staff and the community that supported them through there school years.
They also said their class has achived many goals and made many memories.
"This moment was worth ever minute of homework and long days in the classroom," said Stafford. "Although we won't be meeting in homeroom next September, we will always remember our time in North Queens"
He added it was the end of this chapter of their lives, but also the beginning of next one.
Labradour said they have met many amazing people over the years, and those years went faster than most of them expected.
"Here we sit in our caps and gowns celebrating 13 years of education and friendship, and we are here together for one last time," she said.
"I believe every one of us has a chance to do something great, not because of what we do, but because of who we choose to be."
After the speeches were given, a total of $64,950 in scholarship money handed out to the students.
