The 2019 MUCC Grads celebrated being 'dismissed' one last time by tossing their caps into the air. (Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

Grad 2019

‘Trust your training’: MUCC celebrates class of 2019

Jun 27, 2019 | 5:01 PM

Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate (MUCC) celebrated its graduating class of 2019 on Thursday, June 27.

The school held the exercise portion of the grad festivities in the morning in the school gym as students crossed the stage to receive their diplomas. Many dignitaries were in attendance and gave speeches as well. MUCC also used the ceremony to hand out many different scholarships, varying in values and categories.

There were 85 students graduating this year from MUCC, and Principal Jerry Heffernan said it’s an exciting time for everyone.

“It’s amazing how quickly the time goes by,” he said. “From when they come into Grade 7 as very scared, young students to mature young adults that we have here today.”

The graduating class of 85 students waits after receving their diplomas. (Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

Made in Saskatchewan

Find My Plus One: The Canadian App for Getting Out and Living Your Best Life

Mar 09, 2026

Riderville

Ask Not for Whom the Ed Hervey Tampering Window Opens!

Feb 02, 2026

Seniors Scene

New Year - New Habits

Feb 02, 2026

Heffernan said having a small class can be a good things as he got to know all the students even more, especially as he was able to teach some Grade 12 classes this year. He said this class was an extremely skilled class in every aspect.

“Whether it’s academics, athletics,” Heffernan told northeastNOW. “Everything they have been involved in, drama, the arts. Tremendous leadership in this group with our student council, just every facet of education, this group excels.”

Valedictorian Graydon Eskowich, said he looks forward to the future, not only for himself, but his peers as well.

“I’m excited for everything that’s going to come after this,” Eskowich said. “And I’m excited for everyone else too, just for whatever comes next.”

Eskowich said he was nervous, but also excited for the day and having to speak at the exercises, but he was happy to be able to take the position.

“It’s been a tremendous honour, and it feels nice to be able to represent our class and what everybody has felt about their past years in high school and just being up there representing them all,” he said.

Valedictorian Graydon Eskowich adresses his classmates during his speech. (Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

He added he wants fellow graduates to take away one thing from his speech.

“Biggest thing I want them to take away from it is to ‘trust their training’, and that’s a quote I take from one of our teachers” Eskowich told northeastNOW. “It’s going to be obviously tough going out to wherever everybody is going to go, but like I say in my speech ‘we’ve been preparing for this for six years whether we knew it or not.’ So, as long as we try and keep learning as we go out, and like I say, take something new from every experience and just do your best.”

Eskowich was one of many students to receive scholarships at the ceremonies. One of the major scholarships he was awarded was the Rotary Club award. He won the award as he is going to study abroad in Slovakia.

When it comes to the small class size, Eskowich added it’s great to know everybody.

“Most of us have been with each other since elementary school,” he said. “Obviously there’s been a few new faces, but we’ve all had these six years or more to kind of bond together as a group, and yeah, we certainly know each other.”

The last exam for the students was the day prior on Wednesday, June 26, making the ceremonies the final time some of the students will step into MUCC. Heffernan said the late graduation date really puts a cap on not only the year, but the high school lives of the graduates.

–

mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6