The 107 graduates from Highwood High School had a lot to celebrate today during their graduation ceremony at George Lane Park.

The weather was perfect as the grads lined up in front of the Museum of the Highwood in downtown High River at 10:30 a.m. for a group photo.

Once the photos were taken and a few tears shed from proud parents the grads marched in pairs down 4th Avenue to George Lane Park.

Family and friends followed along to the gazebo and found either a chair, a patch of grass, or brought their own lawn chairs to enjoy the approximately hour-long event.

Dignitaries also gathered on stage to offer up words of encouragement as the next group of grads move on to their next chapters in life.

The event got underway with a land acknowledgement by Izzy Ait and Taylor Morrison and the playing of O Canada. 

Highwood High English teacher and organizer of the grad, Laura Myers, was the master of ceremonies and welcomed Principal Dave Roberts up first for opening remarks.

Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic was next, followed by Foothills MP John Barlow, the Mayor of High River Craig Snodgrass, Elder and Adopted Kokum Virginia Aldoff Pinay also had some words of encouragement for indigenous graduates, Foothills Board Chair Theresa Letendre and Foothills Superintendent Chris Fuzessy also spoke and offered their congratulations.

Then it came down to the co-Valedictorians Alexander Hastings and Titus Stelter sharing stories from not just the last four years but also gave some shoutouts to Senator Riley, Joe Clark, Spitzee and Cayley schools. 

Teacher and master of ceremonies Laura Myers then wrapped it all up quoting a stanza from Shakespeare, much to the good-natured groans from the grads, and then they gathered for the traditional throwing of the caps in the air for one final celebration.

Once a Mustang, always a Mustang. 

Class of 2023