PARRSBORO, N.S. — Think big!
It’s a simple message, but one Kelsey Dinaut left with her fellow graduates at Parrsboro Regional High School during graduation ceremonies June 27.
“As we face this new beginning, I ask that you consider these wise words of Nelson Mandela: ‘There is no passion to be found in playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living,’ Dinaut told the class of 2019. “This is a lesson that I have learned in both academics and in sport. I don’t ever like to play small! I was voted most competitive in my class for a reason.”
Sports, she said, has always been important to her and she learned valuable life lessons from her coaches, fellow athletes, the successes and the losses.
“In sport, I have found passion. I ask that each of you find that passion in your life. That driving force that gives you energy, gives you direction, and gives you purpose,” she said. “Life is not about settling. Life is about giving it your all and then some. It’s about learning what you are capable of and then pushing it further.”
Dinaut said grads need to “feel the excitement and find the passion” as they take this next step in their lives.
“As we leave here tonight and go our separate ways, I remind you, the grads of 2019, to find your passion and to embrace and live your one ‘wild and precious life!’”
She said so many people touched the life of every member of the graduating class and played such important roles both individually and to the class of 2019 as a whole.
“I would like to acknowledge our teachers – both our current teachers here at the high school, and also our elementary teachers who were instrumental in shaping our young minds,” she said. “We all have our favorite teachers who we will remember. The ones who challenged and inspired us to do better and to be better.
She also called on her fellow grads to recognize the contributions their families have made and to thank them for their endless support, encouragement, words of wisdom, and love.
“These people and the experiences we share have played a key role in making each of us who we are today,” she said. “We are blessed to have grown up in such a supportive school and community. It has shaped how we see ourselves and how we will see the world.”
Dinaut accepted a national entrance scholarship to St. Francis Xavier at $3,000 per year for four years while also accepting the PRHS Scholarship Society Scholarship for First Place Standing ($1,500), the Bo Lattie ‘Hope for the Future’ Memorial Burary ($500), the PRSH Cafeteria Appreciation Award ($100), the NSTU Cumberland Local Bursary ($460), the Parrsborough Shore Historical Society History Prize ($200) and the Wilson Female Midget AA Hockey Bursary ($200).
Carly Marie Merriam, who like Dinaut graduated honours with distinction, accepted a $5,000 President’s Scholarship – renewable for four years - from Cape Breton University as well as a Cape Breton University Residence Scholarship valued at $4,200.
She also accepted a cafeteria appreciation award of $100 and a PRHS Scholarship Society Scholarship for Third Place Standing for $500.
Dakota Ferdinand, who graduated honours with distinction, accepted a $2,000 entrance scholarship and a $1,000 leadership scholarship from Dalhousie University as well as a PRHS Scholarship Society Scholarship for Second-Place Standing, valued at $1,000.
She also receive a Parrsboro Skating Club Bursary ($500), a Royal Canadian Legion Branch 45 Bursary ($350) and the Ruth Bigelow Smith Public Speaking Bursary ($200).
Shannon Nicole Ward graduated with honours and received an entrance scholarship of $2,400 to Acadia University as well as a $1,000 per year renewable scholarship for four years and a $2,500 per year renewable residence scholarship.
She also accepted the Jack and Linda Bursary for $1,000 and the Patricia J. Storey Memorial Bursary of $1,000.