Every year around this time, members of council are invited to attend the high school graduation ceremony.

It害羞草研究所檚 an opportunity for us to not only salute individual students, but to also recognize the contribution of our youth to the community.

This year, due to COVID-19, there will be no ceremony.

You害羞草研究所檙e in the feelies, it害羞草研究所檚 understandable.

Everyone should be able to celebrate their achievements.

If this was going to happen to anyone, it was going to happen to you, Class of 2020.

Because you were different from the start. You were born into a world reeling from the 9/11 attacks.

You have seen the impacts of war with the arrival of refugees in our community.

You害羞草研究所檝e seen the impacts of the opioid crisis with overdoses and deaths of people you know.

You害羞草研究所檝e seen the impacts of climate change with unprecedented wildfires and flooding.

Now 害羞草研究所� surprise! 害羞草研究所� you害羞草研究所檙e graduating in the middle of a pandemic.

The upheavals you害羞草研究所檝e experienced throughout your early life, culminating in these bizarre final few months of your graduating year, has given you inner strength, even if you don害羞草研究所檛 yet realize it.

You have learned that life is uncertain and nothing is promised. In the process, you have become resilient.

You害羞草研究所檙e going to hear a lot more about resilience as you step out into the world.

Whether we害羞草研究所檙e talking about individuals or society, business or government, community or country, there will increasingly be a need to bounce back from crises and adapt to new normals.

Not everybody has an ineffable quality to be knocked down and get back up stronger.

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But you do. You害羞草研究所檙e proving it right now.

You won害羞草研究所檛 get your moment to parade into the arena and party like it害羞草研究所檚 1999. But you害羞草研究所檝e found other ways to celebrate and capture your graduation through photo shoots, videos and social media. You害羞草研究所檝e had to innovate.

Innovation is another word you害羞草研究所檙e going to hear more often.

Increasingly, the ability to resolve problems 害羞草研究所� personal and societal 害羞草研究所� will depend on doing things differently.

Not everybody knows how to think outside the box. But you do. Again, you害羞草研究所檙e proving it right now.

You害羞草研究所檙e living history, and already you have quite a story to tell about your graduation. About how you crossed an empty stage in an empty theatre to receive your diploma. About being all dressed up with no place to go. About how a pandemic made you boldly go where no grad had gone before.

The ability to share a good story will serve you well.

Facts and figures have their place but it害羞草研究所檚 our stories that create lasting impressions and help us make sense of this crazy world.

For many cultures, including most First Nations, storytelling is the foundation for learning and relationship building. Indigenous writer and storyteller Thomas King says a great way to start a story is with the words: 害羞草研究所淵ou害羞草研究所檒l never believe what happened.害羞草研究所�

Not everybody knows how to tell a good story. But you do. When talking about grad, you害羞草研究所檒l forever be saying, 害羞草研究所淵ou害羞草研究所檒l never believe what happened.害羞草研究所�

So even if your graduation hasn害羞草研究所檛 gone as expected, be proud of your accomplishments and know your future is so bright you害羞草研究所檒l have to wear shades.

Your resilience, innovation and storytelling will get you through the tough times of today and you will emerge as the leaders of a better tomorrow.

Class of 2020, the force will be with you.

Always.

Doug Holmes is a Summerland councillor and parent of a 2020 graduating student.

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