Brooklyn Nelson celebrates with family. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW)
Grad week

PACI grad celebrates community and family support

Jun 26, 2025 | 5:00 PM

In his closing remarks to the 2025 graduation class, Prince Albert Collegiate Institute (PACI) Principal David Lokinger encouraged them to never be afraid to reach out for help.

As part of Thursday afternoon’s ceremony at the EA Rawlinson Centre, 43 students, donning black and gold robes, walked across the stage.

“It’s a celebration of community because let’s be honest you did not get here alone. Every one of you has faced challenges. Some were big, some quiet, and some that no one else ever saw and through these moments, there were people around you, friends, family, staff, classmates and those who supported you, those who challenged you, believed in you, or maybe just listened to you when you needed it most,” he said.

This year’s grad class featured not one but three valedictorians. Kaeleigh Burns admitted standing out in front of her classmates was a bit scary.

“The three of us have been working towards it for a very long time, for like years, so it was a big accomplishment and I’m proud of every single one of us for graduating and the three of us for making valedictorian.”

The annual hat toss. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW)

Burns will soon begin her post secondary studies and aspires to one day become a teacher like the ones who have supported her.

“Miss Jordan influenced me, kind of manipulated me, but she’s the reason why I wanted to become a teacher. Something about showing people like wisdom and my knowledge and furthering our generations just seems like my calling,” she explained.

Nesslin McDonald has been accepted to the University of Regina and plans to one day join the Royal Canadian Armed Forces. She described the ceremony experience as surreal.

“It just felt like such an unreal moment to just be there and to be around everyone who I’ve been with for the past four years and it’s so sad to be moving and leaving them because to be with them for four years, you get really connected to all of them,” she said.

When asked about one lesson or piece of advice she received during her high school years, McDonald replied don’t let the get downs, get you down.

“Definitely when something just doesn’t go your way, it’s not worth a fuss or a cry over. It’s worth it to go around it and push through it,” she said.

Moon Cote will attend the University of Saskatchewan and plans to study psychology. She was asked what she will remember or value most from high school.

“It’s definitely teachers support and teacher passion for teaching that definitely got me through high school and I’m sure it helped a lot of other people.”

When asked if there was a specific lesson she will take with her, Cote joked to not procrastinate. 


“It’s definitely a big one.”

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social

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