June is always a joyous time at SelfDesign. Every June, as at other schools, we celebrate the learners whom we have watched grow through the years and who are finishing their SelfDesign learning journeys. They are going on to follow lives filled with passion, continued growth and curiosity. We’re delighted for them but sad to say goodbye.
This year, 175 members of our community gathered online in June to celebrate the achievements of the SelfDesign Learning Community’s Class of 2021.
“There are 101 unique reasons for pride and excitement today as we think about all that you’ve each accomplished over your SelfDesign journeys,” said SelfDesign Director of Educational Programs Nikki Kenyon in the principal team’s address to commencing learners. “We hope you can take the energy and persistence you’ve shown this year and lead out into the world to pursue your next goals and dreams. We know you’ll make an impact on the communities and initiatives you’re involved in.”
SelfDesign’s personalized learning program provides learners with the same credentials that any B.C. school offers. We support learners in achieving their goal of completion in the way that best suits them, whether it’s their B.C. Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma), Adult Graduation Diploma or School Completion (Evergreen) Certificate.
In addition to achieving their learning goals towards graduation, SelfDesign’s Class of 2021 spent their final year at SelfDesign navigating how to learn during a pandemic and its associated uncertainties. Through it all, learners demonstrated their resilience, passion and creativity.
“You have faced true challenges – physically, emotionally, virtually, locally and globally,” says SelfDesign Educational Program Lead Janice Green. “This has proven your perseverance and your determination, and I just couldn’t be more proud.”
Amid the good wishes and commendations, a number of commencing learners presented their achievements. These included recordings of gymnastics and dance routines, piano performances and clips from animations, as well as artwork. Some learners spoke of how they found the acceptance and support at SelfDesign that allowed them to learn, flourish and discover themselves.
“Although I have had many adventures, I will always be grateful for the amazing generosity and unbelievable support of SelfDesign,” said Matt, who is studying computer animation.
“I am super in love with my life and all of its experiences and ups and downs and all around and the pandemic and travelling throughout the world… and learning languages and meeting those people along the way and all the amazing mentors along the way,” said Hannah. “I just want to give a lot of gratitude to everyone and everything that is happening, pandemic or not.”
As Michael Harris, an Indigenous elder with the Gitxsan Nation and the event’s commencement speaker, told the learners and all others at the ceremony, life is defined by ongoing learning.
“The purpose of our being here is to learn – learn through our teachers, learn through home school, learn through our experience going fishing or hunting or going to the PNE or working on the boat or whatever you’re doing,” he said. “You’re going to learn and learn and learn. And so just because we’re leaving school doesn’t mean the end of learning.”
To SelfDesign’s Class of 2021, everyone here at SelfDesign Learning Foundation wishes you all many joyous adventures and discoveries as your learning journeys continue through the coming years!
