PSC Class of 2025 take their first steps as graduates
Eighty-one graduates crossed the stage at Ponoka Secondary Campus’ Commencement Ceremony, held June 7, closing one chapter and stepping into another as the Class of 2025.
The ceremony, at the Ponoka Arena, opened with a powerful Indigenous honour song, performed by a drumming circle that included PSC 2025 graduates Braven Bull, David Saddleback, and Deston Pipestem.
Principal Cody Baird delivered his address with a fun comparison of graduates to that of a new version of technology rolling out into the world. He leaned into humour and heartfelt metaphor.
“This group is known to have a few bugs,” Baird joked.
“Procrastination, caffeine addiction, independence, and some awkward dancing. But like any good software, you’re being updated into something better.”
Baird offered graduates a “users’ manual for life,” reminding them that even with error messages like “motivation not found,” or the occasional “blue screen of death,” failure wasn’t final — just a debugging process would be needed.
“When things crash and you need to reset, come back. Find your supports and revisit your warranty,” he said.
Valedictorian Taliah Green urged her classmates to hold onto the present before rushing into the future.
“Right now, we’re surrounded by people who have shared this journey with us—teachers, classmates, friends and family,” Green said. “Let’s laugh a little louder. Hug our people a little tighter.”
She encouraged the graduates to embrace life not as a list of accomplishments, but as a series of meaningful, everyday experiences.
“This is not the end of a journey,” she said. “It’s the beginning of learning how to truly live it.”
Ponoka Mayor Kevin Ferguson, himself a graduate of the school 45 years ago, offered both a memory and an invitation.
“Keep as many of these friends as you can,” he said. “They’ve known you like no one else will.”
He also extended a familiar offer to the graduates:
“If you feel the need to come back and visit, I send you an open invitation. And if one day you decide it is here you wish to build the rest of your life, you will find us all here, ready to welcome you home.”
Trustee Lana Thompson reminded the class that no matter where they go, they carry with them the spirit of their hometown.
“You come from a town that values community,” she said. “A town that still waves at neighbours, that believes in hard work and helping hands, and that quickly and passionately rallies around those in need. And those ideals… they travel well.”
She added, “Whether your path keeps you close to home or takes you across the world, you take a piece of Ponoka and PSC with you. You carry the lessons of this place: that success isn’t just about where you go, but how you got there. With kindness. With integrity. With connection to others.”
Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Jennifer Johnson also addressed the class, highlighting the strength they showed navigating their education through challenge and change.
“Graduates, you have emerged stronger and wiser,” she said. “Pursue your passions, take risks, and never be afraid to fail.”
A wide array of awards and scholarships were handed out during the ceremony, recognizing achievements in academics, trades, entrepreneurship, and community service. Each name called to the stage represented a unique journey and the support of the school’s faculty, families, and local partners.
PSC Gallery 2025 Graduation
