With the end of June nearly upon us that can only mean one thing – graduation is just around the corner.
Next week Caleb Catto, Walter Ostrander and Julian Tuffeau will embark on a new chapter in life as they graduate from École Desrochers on June 28.
In an interview a week prior to their graduation, each student said they are looking forward to what the future holds.
“I’m scared and unsure about the future, but I’m just happy to be moving forward and getting to make new life decisions,” said Catto.
Ostrander said he was indifferent about the whole thing, but looking forward to taking a break from assignments nonetheless.
“I’ll be happy to not be doing homework,” he said with a chuckle.
For Tuffeau graduation couldn’t come soon enough.
“I’m very, very happy to be done with high school. I don’t feel like it was the hardest part of my life, but I’ve got to move onto something new quickly.”
In the short term each student said they intend to stick around Jasper for the summer and possibly into the New Year before beginning post-secondary education.
This summer Catto will be working for Parks Canada with the cleaning crew before taking the rest of the year off to decide what he wants to do.
“I do want to go to university I just haven’t figured out what subject yet so from now until October I’m going to try and figure that out.”
For Ostrander, he’s landed a job working for 3 Sheets this summer and will coach skiing in the winter.
“I’m taking a year off for sure and then going to university after that. Right now I’m leaning towards biomechanical engineering or hydrogeology.”
Tuffeau, who arrived in Jasper last year, said he plans to enjoy the summer and make some money before returning to Quebec in mid-August to study horticulture.
Reflecting on their time at École Desrochers, each student had only positive things to say about the school.
“I’ve really enjoyed being here and having the opportunity to learn French,” said Catto, who has been enrolled with the school since Kindergarten.
“It’s also a much smaller class environment compared to the other school so you get to do way more in class.”
Ostrander agreed.
“I think it’s just a great opportunity,” he said, adding knowing how to speak French will help him travel in the future.
For Tuffeau the biggest highlight of his time here was a hiking trip to Mosquito Creek.
“Going on hikes with the school was the best thing. When we did Mosquito Creek – 10 out of 10 – it was awesome.”
For Catto choosing a highlight was difficult but he said he really enjoyed connecting with other Francophone students throughout Alberta and fieldtrips to Edmonton and Yellowknife. He also got to spend two weeks in Hakone, Japan, Jasper’s sister city, in 2016 with Ostrander.
The graduation ceremony will be held on June 28 in the high school’s gym at 1:30 p.m.
Paul Clarke
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