This year the Weyburn Comprehensive School and the Parent Grad Committee are teaming up to create a unique and exciting day for the 2021 Graduating Class on Saturday, June 19.

The Graduates already had their certificate ceremonies on Monday and Tuesday of this week with four separate groups meeting at different times on the football field to reduce the potential of spreading COVID-19.

"That is actually new to us this year with the planning of some of our events actually taking place outside," said Nicole Blackburn, WCS Grad Coordinator. "Our biggest challenge is really the unknown of what the restrictions will be in place. We started making plans in the fall but had to continuously change those plans as the government listed the latest restrictions."

This Saturday the day will start off at 1:30 p.m. with a parade of all of the Graduates around the city on various floats and vehicles.

"We'll start off at the Weyburn Fairgrounds, then make our way down Prairie Avenue and through the downtown core area, and then we'll go back to the fairgrounds," told Tanya Pohl, Parent Grad Committee Chair for the 2021 WCS Grad Class. "So we have designated areas for each family to view from. However, the general public is more than welcome to watch as well from either the mall parking lot and around the mall or from the Royal Hotel parking lot as well."

Following the parade, there will be a grand march taking place at the fairgrounds that is set to begin at approximately 3:30 p.m. and will be held in a drive-in style for families and friends to park and watch the students walk across the stage. This part of the day will be open to the general public as well but there will only be a limited amount of seats and they will be assigned on a first come first serve basis.

Following the grand march students will be able to spend some time with their friends and family before the virtual ceremony takes place at 7:00 p.m. that night.

"So the virtual part of the day will contain all of the traditional parts of a traditional ceremony with the valedictorian address," Blackburn shared. "I hope that our students are getting excited to have this unique graduation experience. I just want to express a huge thank you to all of the parents, students, and staff at the school who have been helping and working towards getting all of the virtual and outdoor ceremonies in place."

After the virtual ceremony is over there should be some free time before the grand finale firework show begins at approximately 10:30 p.m. and will be held at the Weyburn Agricultural Society's fairgrounds.

"The Graduates and their families are encouraged to come to the fairgrounds and park there to watch the fireworks," clarified Pohl. "The general public can watch the firework show from anywhere else that they would like to in Weyburn."

Pohl added that they will have an FM radio station for people to tune into and listen to the graduates' chosen music to go along with the fireworks.

"It's been a lot of work and a lot of getting permission from different people to be able to have this kind of a grad. But I decided after last year's grad that I would make it my mission to make sure that the Grads would have a day that they would remember."

From everyone at Discover Weyburn, we wish the 2021 Graduating Class all the best in their futures and a safe and enjoyable celebratory weekend. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments so far.

Feel free to view our photo gallery below with pictures from the 2021 WCS Grads' certificate ceremonies that took place this week with photos sent in by Kristin Grassing, Anna Madridejos, and Nicole Blackburn.