B.C. Premier gives Langley grads a memorable send off
June 14, 2024
It was a big day for soon-to-be graduates at Brookswood Secondary.
The BSS class of 2024 started the day by donning their cap and gown in preparation for their grad walk.
A grad walk is an annual tradition in Langley, where grads hop on buses and head to their respective elementary schools to visit former teachers and staff, as well as inspire the younger students.
But before they proceeded to walk the halls and reminisce of the past, the nearly 200 grads received a special surprise send-off from a provincial dignitary.
Just as administrators on stage wrapped up their instructions for the day to the grads, out came BC Premier David Eby alongside Andrew Mercier, MLA for Langley.
Premier Eby shared words of encouragement and inspiration.
“You are an incredibly unique graduating class, that you have lived through a global pandemic,” said Eby. “That shaped your high school experience. So, I want to say congratulations for making it, you went through some really tough times, and thank you for hanging in there.”
He also told the students to rise to the challenges that come their way after graduation, whether it be climate change, global instability, and the aging global population.
“The whole world is getting older and there is an international competition for you, for your skills, and for what you are going to bring to the world.”
“You’re going to be shaping our province and our world for many years to come,” he added.
After his remarks, the grads began their walk through the school and then made their way outside where they were again welcomed with high fives from the Premier and had the opportunity to take selfies.
Later in the morning, Premier Eby made a stop at Walnut Grove Secondary to meet, greet and congratulate a group of grads there.
Students, many of whom had deep interests in politics and social justice, were invited to a Q & A session with the Premier. Grads asked the Premier questions on a variety of topics including affordable housing, funding for education, and electoral reform.
“What I really wanted to do was to hear from you. I understand that you have some questions and I’d like to hear what you’re interested in and what you’re wondering about,” Eby told the students.
“I know that MLA Megan Dykeman does a lot of outreach here and across the community but it’s helpful for me as Premier to come and hear from you.”
To end the event, two students gave the Premier a cultural lesson on ‘how to be a gator’ by teaching him the gator chomp cheer, which brought smiles and laughter throughout the room.
Before leaving, Premier Eby posed for photos with the grads.