Residents of Lampman and the surrounding area came together Saturday to provide a unique celebration for Lampman School’s graduating class.
The town held a graduation celebration for the 13 students who comprised the Class of 2020. A traditional cap and gown celebration was supposed to happen in May, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19.
So on a beautiful afternoon in Lampman Saturday, people of all ages gathered to congratulate the grads and wish them the best in the next chapter of their lives.
It started with a parade down Main Street by the graduates, who were dressed in their finest clothes. The parade was led by the town’s volunteer fire department. Many people from the Lampman area lined both sides of the street to salute the grads. Some of the spectators carried signs.
Tammy Siebert, who was part of a parents committee that organized the festivities, was thrilled with the parade. In terms of attendance, she’s not sure how many people turned out to watch the parade, because the crowd was spread out down Main Street.
“We had a great turnout for it,” she told the Mercury.
Then the grads climbed aboard the fire truck and headed to the Lampman Health Centre so that the residents would be able to see the grads in their finery.
“I think they were very delighted,” Siebert said. “The residents were very happy to see them in their formal attire, and I think they were very, very thrilled to have the grads come through, to be able to see them from their windows.”
Then there was a private graduation ceremony that Siebert said met Saskatchewan Health Authority regulations. She described it as “short and sweet.”
“We did some little bios on the kids,” said Siebert. “There was a tribute to the parents, and then we had a guest speaker, a … retired teacher.”
Katie Weinrauch, who was this year’s valedictorian, also spoke to the grads.
After the ceremony, the crowd dispersed so that grads could spend time with their families.
Earlier this year, the community had banners hanging on Corrigan Road/Highway 361, which is the road that passes in front of the school. Each banner paid tribute to a grad.
Siebert said it took some time to plan Saturday’s celebrations. Not only did they have to piece together the activities, but they needed to take current regulations into account.
But the kids were very pleased that they were able to have the one last activity together for graduation.
“They thought it was absolutely wonderful. They all enjoyed it and had a great time, and were able to spend some time with their family afterwards as well.”
