THUNDER BAY - During her valedictorian address, International Baccalaureate Programme graduate, Brooklyn Ranta, shared her memories of late nights studying, early morning classes, and what seemed like an endless list of assignments. But she also shared all the moments of levity with her fellow classmates and teachers, which was one of the biggest motivators to keep going and succeed.
“It was only that we were able to come together and work as a team that we were able to achieve so much and come so far,” Ranta said. “It’s really the unity that we had.”
This year, 20 students earned a diploma in the IB programme after completing their international exams in May 2018. A traditional graduation ceremony was held last June, however, because students do not receive their final grades until July, a separate ceremony is held for them in December.
“It’s really exciting,” Ranta said. “IB is such a journey so it’s really good to look back and see us all here with the tools that we have. We have succeeded so well already in post-secondary, so it’s really exciting to see everyone come together and celebrate this occasion that we were looking forward to for four years.”
The IB Programme challenges students to achieve their full potential through the development of academic, community, and time management skills
The academic average for the students in this year’s graduating class was 5.7 out of a possible seven points. The global average is 4.9.
“We are super proud of their results,” said Clarke Loney, IB Programme coordinator. “They have knocked the international average out of the park as our graduating class has always done. And they are thriving now in the university and college programs that they are attending.”
Loney said what really sets an IB student apart is his or her ability to manage time effectively and be motivated to succeed.
“You don’t have to be a 95 plus student, though most of these kids are, to meet the expectations of this,” Loney continued. “It is something students often grow into. As long as they are motivated and manage their time, they can be successful.”
But the IB Programme is no walk through the park and students are challenged on every level. Caitlyn Slaubaugh, who finished the program with the highest grade, said the last few months before graduation were the most intense, but she knew she was never alone.
“But just having this group of people around me that knew what we were all going through and all going through it together,” she said. “And it was having amazing teachers to help us get through and having that really great support system was really helpful.”
“Without the teachers and the students, I don’t think it would be possible,” Ranta added. “The teachers are so immensely wonderful and they give their absolute all to help the students succeed.”
And while all the students are now looking forward to future challenges in university and college programs, they can’t help but look back and reflect, especially for this year’s class, which is the last class to graduate from Sir Winston Churchill High School before its closure last spring.
“We were pretty disappointed when we thought it would be closing before we would get to graduate, so it was a roller coaster of emotions thinking we would not be able to graduate, and now we are so proud we are the last IB Churchill class,” Ranta said.
Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute is now hosting the program and currently has 128 students enrolled.
“The program is thriving at the new school and we are happy to be there,” Loney said.
“I think everyone in our class had a really great experience doing this program and it is kind of sad to know that we are the last class that is going to get to have that in the same way,” Slaubaugh added. “But the IB program is still continuing, so it’s nice to see it growing in a different way now.”
