Congratulations, High School Graduates
Congratulations, High School Graduates!
This time of year, Grade 12 students are normally looking forward to graduation and getting ready to head off to college or university. But everything is different this year. For grads and their proud families, the coronavirus has overshadowed a momentous year filled with chapters coming to a close and new ones opening.
Kids are donning caps and gowns for living room grad ceremonies as their families cheer on. Parents are building stages in their backyards to give their grads an experience. Some schools are hosting online graduation ceremonies. And in a small Alberta town, school administrators lined the sidewalk outside the school with enlarged grad photos — a surprise tribute for students who were coming in to pick up their grad photos on the day that would have been their graduation.
Each and every one of these celebrations is a true testament to the human spirit. But there’s no denying that this is not what the class of 2020 expected
Instead of heading off to college or university in September, many will have to stay home as some schools have already announced plans to hold classes remotely. (Others are sure to follow in the coming weeks and months.) Students are going to miss out on the experience of living in a dorm, forging new friendships and joining clubs. Athletes will, in all likelihood, be sidelined for a season.
As there are different ways to celebrate graduation, there are ways we can give a taste of the university experience at home. Schools will be creating a modified orientation week to welcome students remotely. Make signs welcoming them to “campus,” blast some music on day 1, and have a frosh kit for them filled with university swag, a gift card and furniture.
The student Apartment Living experience is a huge part of university life, so let’s buy Canadian Made and transform their bedroom with a furniture makeover? Think of all the things you’d get to make a room cozy and functional for your university student: new bed, a comfy chair and good lighting for reading (our 7612 chair and Geometric lamp are great options), a generous desk, shelving for textbooks, closed storage for supplies (our Carlotta cabinet adds a pop of colour) and, of course, a mini fridge for late-night snacks and drinks.
Congratulations to all graduates, and a very special congratulations to our first grandson Salvatore who is graduating high school with honours and heading to Queen’s University in the fall!
