Sarah's GRAD 2010

What a night! Grad 2010, June 15th. Sarah spent most of the day, while we were at work, getting ready not only for GRAD, but also to leave the next morning for her Grad trip with friends to the Philippines! Lots on the go! Juls came over to get ready with Sarah - lots of giggles, and makeup and hair... this is sounding familiar!


Juls straightening Meg's hair for the night. We were also celebrating Meg's last day of school in Grade 10 - full on party mode at the Bate household!


Last minute notes of thanks from Sarah for her favourite teachers. Sarah got a beautiful summer dress, below, to wear under her Grad gown.


Cap and gowns all ready to go!


Sarah and Juls made their way to the "Forum", an open space in the main part of the school, where they their GRAD photo taken



GRAD photo in the Forum - getting used to wearing the cap - tassle to the RIGHT!


Flowers lining across the front of the stage - lots of preparation onstage and in the lobby kept us busy for 2 days in the LLAC.


Waiting for the procession to begin - family Bate.


And here she comes! From the entrance to the theatre auditorium, down the aisles and up onto the stage.






The Treble Choir (Gr 4/5) performed the Canadian and Chinese National Anthems to start the ceremony.


At least we knew the words to one of the two!


The opening remarks, and great speeches by the Board of Governors Chair, Upper School Principal and Head of School.


Upper School Principal, John Jalsevac. His speech at the end included the same quote that Sarah chose for her yearbook page, from Mark Twain.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail awayfrom the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."



Head of School, and good friend, Dave McMaster, addressing the graduates.


And the grads begin to receive their diplomas. Sarah and Head of School,


Sarah receiving her two diplomas, Ontario Secondary School, and International Baccalaureate. And then the Grads were invited to move their tassle to the LEFT!


Sarah's reaction to hearing the description of the Award of Distinction - Citizenship - from the Chinese Canadian Association and the students chosen to receive the award....


Sarah (and Juls) both received the Chinese Canadian Association of Hong Kong's Citizenship Award for leadership. Amazing!


Sarah being congratulated by Head of School and Upper School Principal.


Doreen Steidle, Consul General for Canada, was at the ceremony, to present the inaugural Spirit of Canada Award. Doreen is a huge supporter of the school, and attends many of the special events during the year.


And they're off! Caps went flying (too fast to capture that image!), and the grads got a chance to breathe, and laugh!


YES! She made it!


Grad portraits on display outside the theatre auditorium.


And onward to celebrations!


The Bate girls - what a wonderful night!




And then off for a late dinner at one of our favourite restaurants, The American Peking, to celebrate this special day!