BOONAH High’s Class of 2021 were presented to the community in the traditional Formal parade on Wednesday evening (November 17).
Vehicles transporting more than 80 Year 12s were given a police escort from the Boonah Showgrounds to High Street.
Following the same cues as those of the last three decades, after a drive around the block, the Year 12s alighted from their transport and walked up High Street through a crowd of thousands of well-wishers.
At the southern end of High Street, they boarded buses which took them to their Formal event at The Outlook.
The Formal parade and the Graduation Ceremony at the High School two days later are the penultimate events marking the end of 13 years of schooling.
One Boonah High Formal parade across the more than 30 years since they began, had to be cancelled due to a severe thunder storm. On Wednesday afternoon, there was lots of sky watching and checking of weather apps on mobile phones to check whether the gathering of dark clouds meant rain in Boonah.
However, apart from a couple of light showers as the students arrived at the showgrounds before the parade, the weather met the much wished for outcome of ‘fine’.And so it remained for the rest of the evening.
At the Graduation Ceremony at the High School on Friday morning, Principal Cheryl Bullion congratulated the Year 12s.
“We have seen many changes in the last 18 years in Australia [since the Year 12s were born] and overseas but no changes have been greater than in the young adults who form our graduating class of 2021,” Mrs Bullion said.
“You have learnt to crawl, to walk, to run, to swim and drive.
“You have learnt to talk, to sustain an argument, to speak a language other than English, to debate, form an hypothesis, produce experimental proofs, paint, play music and program robots.
“In our midst are students who have achieved at the highest level and whose academic results will be with the best of the best in Queensland.
“But at Boonah State High School, we are not only interested in the students who will score the highest marks or run the fastest race.
“We take equal care of all those who come through our doors.
“We are especially proud of those students who have overcome significant personal difficulties to achieve results which will enable them to continue their education or enter the workforce.
“We are as proud of those students who battled to get modest results as we are proud of those who achieved at the highest level.
“We are here for all of our students and we celebrate with each of you.”
She also counselled the Year 12s to remember the teachers and staff, the family and friends, who have helped them on their journey to this point.
And in closing … “there is no elevator to success – you have to take the stairs. Please, please enjoy the stairs, enjoy the climb and also remember when you have the choice to sit it out or dance – just dance!”