Ecole St. John Paul II made official with fanfare

By Jeremy Appel on October 23, 2018.

jappel@medicinehatnews.com @MHNJeremyAppel

Medicine Hat’s newest school held its grand opening ceremony Monday — scheduled to coincide with the saint’s feast of its namesake.

Ecole St. John Paull II’s opening brought together dignitaries from all three regional school boards, both MLAs, Mayor Ted Clugston and Fr. Jerome from the Diocese of Calgary.

“This is a momentous occasion,” Michelle Lucas, the school’s administrative assistant, told the News prior to the ceremony, adding that she feels “blessed” to partake in local history.

“It’s a beautiful building. We’re filled with wonderful children and staff, and it’s just a great experience to be part of.”

The ceremony began with students leading the audience in a rendition of O Canada, before superintendent Joe Colistro partook in MC duties.

After the ceremony completed around 2 p.m., there was an official cake and ribbon cutting, while guests were serenaded by a performance from the school choir.

Medicine Hat MLA Robert Wanner, who has three grandchildren enrolled at St. John Paul II, represented the provincial government at the ceremony.

“These are challenging times,” said Wanner. “There is much pressure to reduce costs and with them expenditures. We need to re-focus our minds to the fact that schools are not costs.

“They’re rather an investment — investments that will pay back long into the future.”

Wanner ended his remarks by addressing the students themselves.

“I want you to work hard … every day,” he said. “Remember that every time you reach out to one of your classmates, you will learn something, because every person has something we can learn and benefit from.”

Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes said he had an opportunity to see the new building earlier that day.

“Congratulations, and my hats off to the designers, the builders, the Catholic school board, Alberta Infrastructure and everyone involved in making this such an excellent facility,” said Barnes.

He also had high praise for St. John Paul II, whom he had the opportunity to see speak in Rome years ago.

“I think you have one of the best names for a school I’ve ever heard,” Barnes said. “To be named after a saint is absolutely amazing.”

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