“It truly is an honour to be voted valedictorian in this crazy year.” Maurice added. “It’s hard to put into words what it’s like to be a graduate as all the work we’ve put into school over the years is finally coming to an end.”
 Both boys said it is hard to believe at this point we are still dealing with COVID. Students ended last year working remotely from home. At the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, they were able to come back to classes with restrictions, and there was a feeling they would be able to loosen up at some point.
Elena Neufeld, who is going into journalism, was planning to do some interning at The Recorder. She said the year they experienced has a similarity to a certain oft quoted carnival ride.
“This year was a bit of a rollercoaster,” Neufeld explained. “At the start of Grade 12 I thought the virus would eventually disappear and we would be left with a normal year where we could play sports, have spirit weeks, and be in the school every day. I had hoped for a final volleyball season, a grad trip, and to be able to be a part of gym blasts and events and that it would overall be normal. At first it was a bit challenging to adapt to social distancing and wearing masks because I wasn’t use to having to spray down tables after every use or make sure I kept distance between friends.”
She added one of the toughest parts was not being able to turn to a classmate to ask a question, as due to the distancing, they were really by themselves.
Maurice said at the beginning of the year, it looked like everything would eventually ease. They were masking and social distancing, but everything was moving in the right direction especially after ending the previous year remotely.
“As grade 12’s we were at the school everyday being able to see teachers and fellow classmates just like the good days. We even began to have practices for our sports but just days before every game COVID came along and shut it down. At the start it was a little hard to get used to the whole mask and social distance rules as we were so used to sitting with our buddies around tables joking around having a good time, but with the rules we were spread out more so it wasn’t as easy to interact with one another,” Maurice said.
Challner said one of the interesting aspects was when the older classes got moved to the Boissevain Legion. This was supposed to happen in November, but got delayed due to the province going into Code Red (although schools remained in the less oppressive Orange). Neufeld said it was not too hard to get used to working in there, although there were times they missed items like a printer or not having the chemistry or biology labs. Maurice thought it was good there, as they were at least in class with everyone. There was also a post-Christmas return to remote learning. This has never been particularly popular.
“Although I was used to the remote learning when it happened, it was still a bit of a struggle as our marks were not frozen during that time so there was still stress to make sure we fully kept up the best we could to keep said marks up,” said Neufeld.
“The couple of times we had to go remote were difficult as kids sitting at home looking through a computer screen don’t have the same drive as kids sitting in a classroom,” Maurice added. “The remote learning felt the exact same as last year just waiting for the days to be done to get back into the classroom to see your friends.”
Of course, there was also a move out of the classroom in the spring, when there were COVID cases in Boissevain School. Neither Neufeld nor Maurice said they were particularly concerned about this, as everyone in town had done a good job of keeping the virus out and it was bound to come at some time.
Overall, Challner said this was not the grade 12 year everyone envisioned, but he felt everyone did the best they could.
“Between switching from in person to online multiple times and moving to the Legion, it’s been a year like no other. With this being said, I feel like our class did a great job of sticking with it and making the best out of a bad situation,” Challner stated. “Honestly, for most of the in person school we had, it felt relatively normal. Sure we had to wear masks and have strange classrooms, but you still got to see your friends and teachers, which was far better than being alone at home.”
He added school was often the only time they could be together, which was made more apparent  when COVID hit Boissevain.
Neufeld felt the same.
“Overall my classmates have handled this all together very well, it is a bit difficult to keep up with everyone as we don’t all have classes together and we aren’t seeing each other in the hallways, going on trips together, or participating in events with each other. However, with what little opportunity we have to spend with each other or be in the same classes together we make the most of it whether its walking back to our cars or simply talking to them from across the room. We have made it work to still keep up with each other,” she explained.
Maurice said he knew a lot of their classmates were disappointed there would not be a “normal” indoor grad, but he is hoping they will be able to do something to celebrate the work they put in over the years.
At the point of writing, the school was planning an outdoor grad for students, with parents in cars. Maurice felt that worked out well last year. Neufeld simply wants something for the class to do together. Challner felt similarly.
“As for me,” Challner stated, “I’m still hopeful we will, at the very least, have something similar to last year and I’m okay with that, as long as we get to spend the day together.”
All have plans for the upcoming months. Maurice wants to work this summer to earn some money before he heads off to school and plays football at the University of Minnesota-Morris. Challner is looking forward to attending Mount Royal University in Calgary for an athletic therapy degree, which he is very excited about. Neufeld will be heading off to Halifax after working the summer, where she will study journalism and play volleyball at University of Kings College.
Maurice feels he should not have to worry too much about COVID by then, as the US is well vaccinated and sports are opened up. Challner has been told 80% of his classes will be in person, with 20% online. Neufeld is planning to head east in August, do her quarantine if need be, and if the Atlantic bubble holds up, her classes and volleyball season should move as planned.
It has been a very different year and a bit for everyone involved. Each of the students from Boissevain have learned many things outside of the classroom they will be able to apply to life.
“Overall I think this year has taught us that if you work hard and surround yourself with the right people you can get through whatever life throws at you. Whether it be graduating or an infectious virus like COVID,” said Maurice.
“Over my last year at Boissevain School, I’ve learned how important in person relationships are in life and to not take anything for granted as it could change in an instant,” Challner added.
Neufeld said it would impact them long into the future.
“I feel like this will be a year we talk about when we look back on high school because it wasn’t normal, but we all got through it together to graduate regardless and I’m very proud of my class for all the hard work they have done even when life threw a curveball at them,” she explained.

by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff