View From the Legislature

Across Manitoba, graduations are happening at high schools and post-secondary institutions. I have had the opportunity to attend several of these graduations over the past few days and it has been a tremendous experience to watch so many young Manitobans achieve academic success.

For high school students, this may mark a step toward further education or toward other goals. Regardless, the work that they have invested in their education to date is a demonstration of commitment and accomplishment. Today’s graduates from secondary school are equipped with a number of skills that are reflective of the changing work and world environment that they are graduating into.

Many will be leaving high school with technical skills. Some, including students that I had the opportunity to meet a couple of weeks ago, have competed nationally and demonstrated their skills in a number of vocational areas. Of course, the key skills of literacy, math and science continue to make up the core of what students learn. These are skills that we need to ensure remain a focus even as learning around these core classes evolves.

At the post-secondary level, there are more options available for study than ever before, as demonstrated by the various degrees and certificates that students are completing. From post-secondary institutions across the province, these graduates represent the future leaders of our province in every aspect of work and life. Whether from Universities or Colleges, they are well prepared to take on the challenges that are ahead.

As I have visited graduations this year and in years past what is always reinforced is that graduates achieve success because they have support. While many will rely on financial support through scholarships and bursaries, the most important support comes from their family and friends in the way of encouragement and emotional support. Studying, at any level, can be intense and pressure filled and the support of loved ones makes those stresses a bit easier and more manageable. As graduates have their names called to receive their degrees or certificates I often hear cheering from their family and friends who have come to watch the ceremony. It is truly more than an individual accomplishment and the celebration makes that clear.

That support extends to the many teachers, professors and support staff who ensure that their knowledge is being passed on to their students throughout their studies. Thank you for investing in these young Manitobans and I hope you have a wonderful summer.

To those that are graduating this year, I wish you sincere congratulations. I hope you feel proud of your accomplishments and are looking forward to the future with optimism. To those parents, spouses, family and friends who have walked along side this year’s graduates, congratulations to you as well and thank you for being the demonstration that few things in life are accomplished without the support of others. I wish all of you a joyous and safe graduation.