Changing lives

My favourite part of working at Bridgeway is hearing the stories that our students and families share.  It is always so moving to hear the ways that Bridgeway has made a difference in their lives.  The accomplishments our students are most proud of are often the ones that many of us take for granted. 

Christian was our Class of 2011 valedictorian this year.  He has kindly given me permission to share the following exerpts from his speech.  Read and be moved... 

Rhonda

First I would like to welcome you all to Bridgeway Academy’s graduation ceremony for the class of 2011.  It means a lot to me and the other members of the graduating class to have this opportunity to celebrate something that not too long ago many would have doubted would ever come to pass.

When I first came to Bridgeway, I was an obese, depressed and nervous wreck of a person, who had zero confidence that I would ever achieve or amount to anything.  For all intents and purposes, I had given up on life.  As overly dramatic as it may sound, Bridgeway Academy was my last chance of having a life.  That was three years ago.  Now I stand before you a different...no, better individual than I was before, and it was only made possible by this school.

                I want to thank the school staff and administration for running and maintaining this place to the best of their abilities.  You do not get enough credit for the difficult job that you have.

                I thank all of the wonderful teachers we have here at Bridgeway Academy for their hard work and patience with all the students who attend this school.  It is without a doubt in my mind that you are the reason for this school’s success, not name, dating and colour coding.

                I want to thank my parents Ken and Cindy, for not only their love but for their persistence that I pursue my education.  Without it, I would have likely given up long ago.

                To my grandparents, Hank and Thelma, your love and patience make you the best neighbours anyone could ever ask for, and I am lucky to have you both.

                Finally, I would like to thank my friends who supported me.  Whose companionship helped me through the rough patches; you may never understand how grateful I am for your support.

We the Class of 2011 have finished high school and now look forward to what comes next.  We have prepared as best we can and have learned the necessary skills and tools needed for us to move into post-secondary education.  I am proud to say that each of us has been accepted into the university or college of our choosing and are all excited to start this coming September.  Although I can in no way guarantee that each of us will experience immediate success at these institutions, I am confident that this graduating class is as prepared as it will ever be for the challenges that may lie ahead.  Remember that you have faced adversity before and that you have found a way to overcome it.  Do not be afraid to make mistakes – it’s bound to happen – but I would advise you should avoid making them as much as possible, and that the ones you do make should serve to teach you something new.

I was 335 pounds and was regularly attending the IWK mental health program just three years ago, and there’s no reason why it could not have gotten worse.  But it didn’t.  I learned anyone can make changes in their life for the better; the only time you can’t is when you stop trying to do so.  So go forth onto those next few steps on the stairs we call life, and do so with the confidence that the only person that can hold you back is yourself.

Graduation 2010

Graduation ceremonies are so inspiring. There's nothing like watching a group of young people take that next big step into the future. Friday's graduation at Bridgeway was my first since joining the staff, and the emotion in the room was quite apparent. For many of our families, seeing their students in cap and gown was a moment they thought they might never experience. The pride shone through the tears. Thank you graduates and families, for letting me share that experience. And thank you James Huggard for giving me permission to share an excerpt from your valedictory speech. Enjoy!

Rhonda

Valedictorian Speech
James Huggard
June 25, 2010

Welcome everyone to the 2010 Bridgeway Academy graduation ceremony.

My name is James Huggard and I am speaking to you today because my classmates have given me the honour of speaking on their behalf as this year’s Valedictorian.

I came to Bridgeway in January 2007. In my former schools I had trouble with schoolwork, I had a hard time making friends and school was JUST not fun. I seriously just did not want to go to school anymore. I had lost my desire to try. When my parents found Bridgeway and suggested it to me, I wanted to come here.

Since I’ve been here, I have learned many things – not just how to LEARN, but how to function and survive. Organization is a big problem for me and after 4 years with my Bridgeway Agenda, school life is much easier. Let’s not forget the colour coding which worked so well that it actually applies to my real life, such as all my candy piles and laundry hampers, (which I still don’t use).

Friendships as well have become easier to make and maintain since I learned better social skills and I found a new RESPECT for others and myself.

Here, I found teachers who truly CARED about every student and made us feel special.

And finally by being here, I discovered I wasn’t the only person in the world having trouble with school and this place made me realize I COULD learn and I COULD make friends and I COULD have a future.

Speaking of that future, I am pleased to say that I have been accepted into St Mary’s University in the fall where I will be studying for my Bachelor of Arts degree. I will be taking History, English and Sociology courses and may eventually take my Education Degree. Imagine – maybe some day I will come back and become a teacher at Bridgeway Academy!

I would like to take this opportunity to quickly thank a few people who - without their support none of us would be here.

I would like to thank Mrs Low for starting Bridgeway Academy many years ago. Because of this school, we all have a chance for a great future.

I want to say thank-you to all the teachers we have had over the past number of years - for their dedication to all of us, for believing in us and teaching us to believe in ourselves. You are all very special people and we know you are proud of us today.

To Ms Fielder – thank you for being a mentor to me. Your support over the years has meant a lot to me and to my family.

Ms Fielder wrote a poem in 2007 describing what it meant to be a teacher at Bridgeway Academy. It is called “TODAY”.
It begins and ends with the sentence “Today I was a teacher” and THAT says it all!

Last but not least I want to say a big THANK YOU to our families for giving us the opportunity to attend the best little school in the world!

In closing I want to share with you an old saying which I’m sure everyone knows which is, “TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE”.

Today is our graduation day, which is our last day of high school and indeed the first day of the rest of our lives.

Congratulations and GOOD LUCK to all my fellow students on this special day.

And remember,“Don’t stop believing!”