GUYSBOROUGH — On the back cover of this year’s Guysborough Academy graduation program is a photo of a classmate who never got to cross the stage. Aaliyah Desmond’s life was cut short at age 10 in 2017 when she died in the shooting tragedy in Upper Big Tracadie that later became the subject of the Desmond Fatality Inquiry.
As her classmates graduated June 26, they remembered her. Graduate Brooklyn Jordan spoke about Aaliyah on behalf of the class.
“Aaliyah dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, as she always wanted to help all the animals,” said Jordan. She said Aaliyah had loved horseback riding, among other sports, and spending time with her dog.
“Aaliyah had the most beautiful smile,” she said, before reading a poem in memory of the friend they lost.
Vice Principal Tara Dorrington displayed a shadow box of graduation mementos that would be presented to Aaliyah’s family on behalf of the graduates.
This year’s guest speaker was the graduates’ former teacher, Mandi MacLennan, who let the grads in on “a little secret.”
“You are easily one of my favourite classes I ever had the privilege to teach,” she said. “I know teachers are not supposed to have favourites. But you’re graduating, you’re at adults now, so I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Teachers are human, too. So, it’s only natural that certain students are going to affect our hearts just a little bit differently.
“I don’t believe I’ve ever taught a more creative group of outside-of-the-box thinkers.”
This year’s ceremony featured remarks by co-valedictorians, Scotia MacEachern and Kiera Newell.
“Let us always remember the friendships we made, the memories we created and the lessons we have learned,” said Newell. “This may be the end of high school, but our stories are just beginning.”
MacEachern also focused on friendships. “Just remember, moving away from your hometown is not the end,” she said. “If you’re lucky enough to find a friendship like Kiera and myself have, regardless of the distance between, somewhere along the way you’ll find yourself back to the same friendship that got you through it all.”
Principal Barbara Avery presented the academic awards and medals, with the top three finishers being Jonah Worth in first place, taking home the Henry Marshall Tory Prize; Isabella Gregan in second, with the Burton Norris Jost Trust Award; and Lindsay Connolly in third, with the Dr. Anita Foley Memorial Prize.
These graduates and their classmates took home many other awards and scholarships, with a value of more than $76,000.
There was also a re-presentation of the Lt. Gov. Awards for 2024, to Grade 11 students Charlotte Collings and Bianca Surette.
