A wave of excitement washed over downtown Sidney on Tuesday, June 24, as hundreds of community members lined Beacon Avenue to celebrate the graduating class of 2025 from Parkland Secondary School.
The first-ever ‘Grad Walk’ saw the graduates, dressed in their gowns and suits, parade down the street before heading to the University of Victoria for their official graduation ceremonies later in the day.
The sidewalks buzzed with anticipation as students from Sidney Elementary School, armed with handmade "congratulations" signs, took their place along Beacon Avenue between Second and Third Streets.
Kindergarten teacher Carla Coppock explained the significance of the event for her students.
"I think for us it's to see them having progressed over the years," she said, "They were once little four-year-olds in our room and now they're almost adults and we get to see them shining, many years later."
Coppock and her colleagues prepared 170 young students to cheer on the graduates as they passed.
"We had the idea – wouldn't it be great if the Sidney Bees could come and cheer on the Parkland Panthers," shared Jennifer Alberring, a Grade 4 and 5 teacher.
Despite the busy time of year for teachers, the school was more than happy to support the idea – seven classes came out to participate in the event.
"We're very busy, but we thought this was a great tradition to start," Alberring added.
This is the first time Parkland graduates have walked through downtown Sidney as part of their graduation day festivities.
The event was spearheaded by Kristi Johnson, mother of graduating student Jesse, who spent three months organizing the parade.
Johnson expressed her gratitude for the support she received from both the Town of Sidney and the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP.
"I just thought it would be kind of cool to have the Parkland grads show off their achievements and, of course, their gowns and suits," Johnson said. "And just to have the community come out to get a good look at them and congratulate them is so special."
Johnson, like many others, hopes Grad Walk will become an annual tradition in Sidney.
“We've promised these kids that if Parkland keeps up the tradition, we will keep up the tradition and we will be there for them,” added Alberring. “It’s neat for them to see where years from now they’d get to do the same thing, too.”
Shortly after 11 a.m., the procession began, led by a vintage top-down Ford Mustang that honked its horn in celebration.
The graduating class, beaming with pride, walked side-by-side, visibly moved by the enthusiastic turnout.
Families and friends joined the graduates at Beacon Park, capturing photos and enjoying a rare opportunity to celebrate a significant milestone by the waterfront.
"I'm pretty happy and a little bit sad at the same time that we're graduating," said Montgomery Ogis, a member of the graduating class.
His mother, Rachel Bevington, shared her pride in her son's accomplishments.
"It’s very satisfying to see him walk with the graduating class...he came a long way for this moment," she said.
Sidney residents, many seated in lawn chairs, enthusiastically watched the graduates being celebrated by the community.
The strong sense of community was not lost on valedictorians Hugh Devey and Christian Musicco, who stood in front of the crowd gathered at Beacon Park, radiating gratitude.
In a previous interview with the Peninsula News Review, the valedictorians had emphasized the importance of community in their school.
"Community is a huge part of who we are at Parkland," they said.
Devey expressed his surprise and pride at the turnout for the event.
"It's surreal," he exclaimed. "I didn't realize how many people were actually coming out. It makes me feel a lot more proud."
Musicco shared Devey's sentiments, adding, "It was cool having this event – being part of it and feeling like a community."
Both valedictorians were particularly touched by the presence of the Sidney Elementary students.
"Amazing, seeing that's where we were 12 years ago and recognizing the teachers from elementary, seeing them come out," Devey reflected, calling it a "full-circle moment."
Before heading to the University of Victoria to deliver their valedictory addresses, Devey and Musicco took the time to connect with their families, pose for photos and bask in the warmth of the community's support.
As hugs and congratulations were exchanged, it was clear Sidney had embraced the graduating class of 2025, proudly rooting for them as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
