“We’re In Good Hands”:McNiven on MSS Grads

“The beginning of a new adventure” was the theme on Thursday night as 122 students received their high-school diplomas at Merritt Secondary School (MSS) in front of family, faculty and dignitaries.

Throughout the graduation celebrations, the challenges the class faced during their high school year with the Covid-19 pandemic, fires, and the horrific November flood of 2021 that saw many of the student separated to different communities for weeks, only to return to Merritt and continue their education in makeshift classrooms throughout the city.

“It is my belief that the grad class of 2024 had something special; something that has never come out of MSS before,” said valedictorian Owen Bateson. “The graduating class of 2024 has a connection like no other. We are not just a group of individuals that happened to share the same graduation year…we are a family. We laughed together, we cried together, we won together and we lost together. We learned together from the nervous days of grade eight to where we are today.”

Superintendent of schools for School District 58, Steve McNiven, who will be retiring this year after a 30-plus year as an educator and leader, said he was very proud of the glass of 2024.

” This class just brings joy to the district, joy yo the community and I’m so proud of them,” beamed McNiven.” They are a resilient group who went through so many challenges. The world will be a better place with these kids leading the way, we are in good hands.”

The 2024 graduating week celebration began Monday night with the annual Awards and Bursary Night which saw over $165,000 awarded to students continuing their education in the fall. On Saturday night, the students again paraded through the city as they prepared for their 2024 prom.

Q101 congratulates all graduates of the Nicola Valley, from Merritt Secondary School, NVIT and SCIDES. Well done!