With their former principal cheering them on, 110 Hidden Lake Secondary School graduates walked across the stage at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House to begin the next chapter of their lives.

 

After 40 years in education, James Steward retired at the beginning of the year; and he received cheers from students, staff and families as he was introduced. Steward chose not to sit on the stage, saying he didn’t want to draw attention away from the students on their big day.

 

Superintendent Pam Swanson told the graduates that the end of their high school years is, “The ideal time to identify the things they want to hold on to and carry into the future, and let go of the things and thoughts that kept them from being the best version of themselves.”

 

Because Hidden Lake is an alternative school, many of the graduates took a non-traditional path toward graduation. Some students had dropped out and re-enrolled while others became parents before coming back to school to receive their diplomas.

 

All of them are Heroes!

 

View the entire ceremony and browse and download candid photos at our WPS Graduation Page.

 

Graduation Highlights: