Howard S. Billings grads celebrate

While the traditional Grand March at Howard S. Billings High School was a little different this year, grads were still able to celebrate their success on June 17-18. They spoke with Le Soleil de Châteauguay about their experiences during this unusual year, and how they feel about moving on to the next chapter in their life.

Maylee Neilson and her parents

“This year was very difficult. It was just a bunch of ups and downs, and nothing was regular. I felt anxious the whole time because there was school, there was coronavirus and we had to do assignments and stuff like that. I’m anxious about the next step but I know that it’s going to be okay. I just need to get over this bump and then I’ll be okay,” expressed Maylee Neilson. 
Her father, Michael Neilson, said he’s proud of the kids. “They’ve achieved all this through a pandemic. It’s not easy to give up your last year of high school, the year that you’re supposed to rule the school, to have fun.”
“Even at the end, the graduation was supposed to be different. It got cancelled, then it got rebooked, then it got cancelled again, added her mother, Jennifer Grasis. It was a lot of stress for them not knowing if they would even be able to have a graduation. At least they got a little something”. 

Liam Tuck, Matteo Latulippe et Ashton Lecchino

“I feel like this year was a little more complicated than the others, everything being separated and technical, said Liam Tuck, on the left. But other than that, I’m just happy to get out of here and move on”. Matteo Latulippe, in the middle, felt this past year “kind of sucked because of COVID”, and that he’s very excited for the next step. “I want to get out of high school and start my life,” he said. Ashton Lecchino, on the right, agreed. “There were a lot of things that didn’t happen that we did the previous year. Although it was different, we were able to get through it. I’m excited. It’s time to go on to another phase of my life”. 
 

Johnny Ulayuruluk-De Melo

“COVID made this year really hard. It felt impossible to learn things at certain times. All the classes were a mess, in my opinion. But we worked through it and we’re here now graduating. I learned that I can work hard through a lot of things and I’m very resistant. COVID has really made me find out how hard I can work as a person. I’m excited about the next step. I can't wait to move on, to go to college, to start life”, said Johnny Ulayuruluk-De Melo.

Terryll Scantlebury and his family

“This year was rough, but we all got through it. The mix of online and in person learning, nobody liked it but we all did it, said Terryll Scantlebury. I learned that hard work pays off.” His mother, Tessa Riley, expressed how proud she is of her son, and added that three generations attended the ceremony.

Carly Quesnel

“This year has been really crazy and hard, but I’m glad I got through it and I’m graduating now. I learned that no matter how hard it gets, to always try hard”, indicated Carly Quesnel.