By Sean Delaney
Jessica Wlodarczyk, Principal of St Basil-The-Great College School, accompanied by Vice Principal Mariko Mackasey said the 2024 graduation on June 26th was an exciting affair not just for what their students achieved, but for the new international students and what their success has now grown under their roof.
“It was unique because this is the first year we had a graduating class of international baccalaureate students,” Wlodarczyk said. “It was monumental for the school because the program is new and growing rapidly. It was excellent these students could achieve this success.”
And the St Basil graduating class was also treated to a unique guest speaker. The keynote speaker was an alumnus from 2009, Anthony Ricciardi, who is an internationally recognized artist now.
“He did an interactive keynote address painting a canvas right on stage while addressing the students,” Wlodarczyk said. “His message was to start, believe and continue. And SBC is our school letters as well, so it was really neat.”
And both administrators noted it was not normal times for the beginning of these students’ high school experience, because they began at the beginning of COVID. And it was heartwarming for them to see the valedictorian make it clear that the staff were dedicated throughout and created a productive learning environment through all of it.
One of their graduates left with an average of 97 percent and was recognized as a top scholar for the entire school board. Another graduate earned more than 1,600 community service hours.
As well they handed out the principal’s honour roll, a governor general award, an Ida Li Preti community champion award, and Ricciardi, the keynote speaker, started his own bursary giving a $2,500 scholarship to a student who showed an entrepreneurial spirit and who had acceptance at a secondary institution.
“The world is yours,” Mackasey said. “Continue the pursuit of learning. It doesn’t have to be in a school or academic setting. Continue your work and reach your potential.”
“Work hard and follow your dreams,” Wlodarczyk said. “Set your goals and stay focused.”