The Tisdale Middle and Secondary School (TMSS) Grad Class of 2019 gets together to sing its chosen graduation song as is part of TMSS tradition. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

By Aaron Schulze

TMSS Grad 2019

TMSS Class of 2019 cracks jokes en route to graduation

Jun 28, 2019 | 10:20 AM

Moments after the Tisdale Middle and Secondary School (TMSS) Class of 2019 officially graduated, Principal Terry Andrusiak had four different descriptions that apply to those students.

High academic, high expectations, very respectful, and a good sense of humour.

The sense of humour flowed throughout the evening, from class album presentations by Kieran Farber and Ryann Leader to the valedictorian address by Allison Elmslie.

Whether it was about a graduate’s traits or stories, nothing was left unscathed to roast in front of their families, loved ones, peers, and TMSS staff.

“Friday to Sunday we were together as a grade, so of course you get the little [irritating] digs,” Elmslie laughed. “So how could you not bring it up when we’re graduating?”

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Not even Andrusiak was safe from his students’ humorous side, as he fell victim to a practical joke earlier in the week.

“They totally trashed my office about two days ago,” Andrusiak told northeastNOW. “But they didn’t really touch anything of mine. They filled it with balloons and put posters everywhere. It was very respectful, but it was a very good joke.”

When the TMSS Class of 2019 zinged someone, they zinged them good as Andrusiak said.

During the presentation of scholarships, the top 15 grade averages were announced one by one from bottom to top, with the scholarship money growing as it went on.

In would could have been a tight, competitive atmosphere, the TMSS Class of 2019 cheered louder as each winner was announced, up until the person with the highest average of 99 per cent was the last one standing.

“They recognize where hard work came from,” Andrusiak said. “When you see someone with a 99 average, that didn’t happen by chance. All these students know how much work went into that and they wanted to reward that person for it.”

A different reward – the honour of being the TMSS Class of 2019 valedictorian – was given to Elmslie as voted by her peers.

Allison Elmslie gives her valedictorian address to the Tisdale Middle and Secondary School Grad Class of 2019 (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff).

“I was just like ‘oh my goodness,’” Elmslie said. “This is such an honour that my grade has chosen me to do this impeccable role at such an important and pivotal moment in our lives. I started right away because I’m not one person to leave it to the very end. I got it done right away and it flowed together. We’re such an amazing group, so what’s not good to say about us?”

The motivation of Elmslie’s speech, which ultimately became the message, was to not be afraid of leaving Tisdale and look forward to whatever the future has in store.

“Moving on is good,” she said. “It’s supposed to feel scary but it’s going to be fine.”

The TMSS grad committee will meet and discuss what went right and wrong while preparing for the ceremony and keep the notes when planning for Grad 2020 begins in the September.

However, one familiar face won’t be a part of it.

Andrusiak said he’s retiring the day after Grad 2019 and thanks the Town of Tisdale for allowing him to be a part of their children’s lives at TMSS for 18 years.

As Andrusiak graduates to retirement, the class of 2019 will graduate to society.

Elmslie said nearly half of their class will be moving to Saskatoon with the other half going to Regina for post-secondary education. She said with the class of 2019 visiting each other in different cities and holiday break homecomings to Tisdale, she has no doubt in her mind that they’ll all be able to keep in touch.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow