Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in the House today to honour all of the students who are graduating this year.
It is no small accomplishment to complete high school, and one of my constituents, Claire Ritchey, is a shining example of how hard work and perseverance pays off. Claire had just completed the 11th grade when she left Kelowna, British Columbia, to attend school in Lacombe, Alberta. She expected that she would automatically go to grade 12, but not all of her grades were transferrable and she had to take grade 11 classes again. When Claire left school she was just a few courses short of her diploma.
A year and a half ago, she returned to school at the Parkview Adventist Academy in Lacombe, and this year Claire was one of 37 graduates who were rewarded for their hard work.
What makes this story so amazing to me is that Claire Ritchey has 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Ms. Claire Ritchey is 85 years old, and I am proud to have her as one of my constituents.
Maria Robinson once said: “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning but anyone can start today and make a new ending”.
We congratulate Claire. Her friends, family and community are very proud of her.