The Keremeos and area Substance Abuse Committee issued its annual grad message to Similkameen students this week, as part of this year’s grad ceremonies. It read:
“You are about to mark a milestone in your life, There will be more to come, of course, but this one will be a big one. You and your classmates will be graduating.
In these next days you will be flooded with congratulations, in the forms of words and hugs and cards and gifts. Each one of these comes from persons who care about you. We want to add ours to all of them, and also to extend our sincere best wishes to you as you move toward the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities of adulthood. (Believe it or not, adulthood can be a really good experience.)
Not only will you be congratulated, you and your friends will be celebrating this milestone in several ways. There will be the graduation ceremony itself - festive in its own way, but also somewhat sobering in its words and tones. It is, after all, a pretty serious event. You will also be celebrating with proms and parties - some formal ones and perhaps some less formal and spontaneous. Rightly so, these will be way less serious and lots more festive. Quite simply, their purpose will be to have fun together. That’s one of the best ways to celebrate anything - so please, have a great time celebrating your graduation.
Yet please also keep these things in mind: let us highlight two words that we’ve already used. One is “sober”. It’s a good word. It’s easy just to “go with the flow” as we party and play, and to forget the personal and social importance of making wise decisions for your own safety and well-being. Please stay sober as you play. The other word is “together”. Have fun together. Watch out for each other. Keep each other safe. Be a real friend to your friend and classmates.
We don’t mean to preach to you, or rain on your parade. We ask this because we care about you. You’re worth caring about. So, please take care.
Cheers and best wishes, on behalf of the Keremeos and area Education and Substance Abuse Committee