Vanier Catholic Secondary School's graduating class of 2012 celebrated the end of high school and the start of a new chapter over the weekend.

On Saturday morning, the graduates crossed the stage before a packed gymnasium of family, friends and teachers at Yukon College.

Ronald MacIntosh, a councillor with the Kwanlin Dun First Nation, opened the ceremony with warm wishes for the grads and an expression of confidence that they were ready for this important step.

Premier Darrell Pasloski, a long-time member of the Vanier community, congratulated the grads on behalf of the government. Pasloski's four children graduated from Vanier.

The Riverdale school provides an "opportunity to combine academics with Catholic faith and Christian values to teach to the whole person,” he said. "This is an education that will serve you well for your entire life.

"There will be a lot of great things that will happen, and there will probably be some challenging things as well, certainly some successes and some failures, but from each of these things, take something from it because they're all great life experiences and you'll be the wiser for it.”

Edward Frison, Vanier's principal, had positive things to say about the graduates as well.

"What I see today are young men and women ready and eager to take on the world,” he said.

"You have shown yourselves to be brilliant and talented and very independent thinkers, people that can move on from the protective confines of high school and family with the confidence and skills necessary to be successful in everything that you take on, in fact to be liberators of the world,” he said.

Frison urged the grads to remember two important lessons: first, God loves them, and second, there is nothing more important than family.

The ceremony's inspirational keynote speaker, Darryl Tait, was introduced by a clearly admiring uncle and Vanier teacher, Russ Tait.

Russ explained how Darryl "loved to fly,” though not necessarily in a plane like his dad, Jamie.

"It could be a snowboard, it could be an x-bike, a wakeboard, a mountain bike, of course a snowmachine.

"All of those things he loved to fly and not only just fly but he had this instinct that made him want to make them go upside down and flip them.”

Darryl had a natural talent for what most of us consider extreme sports, said Russ.

Everything changed, he said, on Oct. 11, 2009, the date Darryl broke his back in a snowmobile accident in New Hampshire.

"You might think that an event like that would make you be bitter, make you full of self-pity,” he said. "But for Darryl, that was farthest from the truth; it was what he calls his new birthday.

"It was just a new challenge for Darryl. He didn't just heal, he became an inspiration for all of us,” said Russ.

Russ said he was proud of the grads for choosing Darryl as their speaker.

"He exemplifies so many qualities that you will need in your life: persistence, determination, the ability to look ahead and not have to look back, make the most of the gifts that God has given you, be proud of who you are and where you come from,” he said.

Darryl said for him, family and friends have been the most important thing since leaving Vanier.

As you face big changes in your lives, you can turn to them, he said, "through thick and thin.

"For me, there was a really dark point when I had my accident and was forced to make some changes, and it was these people that really got me through,” he said.

"You guys have helped me, and I want to be here to help you guys, so if you have any issues, you can turn to me and I would love to help you guys through,” said Darryl.

In closing, he thanked everyone who has supported him, receiving a roar of cheers and applause in response.

After the presentation of diplomas to the class of 89 students, student speakers Hannah Turner and James Boyle were introduced.

Nicole Morgan, a school counsellor, said the student speakers are chosen by both students and staff.

Morgan said Turner "actively seeks leadership opportunities to help other students, to help those that are less fortunate and to advocate for the environment.”

She's been a peer mentor, a member of the social justice club and a community volunteer.

"She truly is a gem,” said Morgan.

Boyle, Morgan said, "is a gem of a different kind.”

"He brightens the space around him,” she said, noting later that she thinks every class should have a James Boyle.

"James' gift simply put is his ability to lift the spirits of others, and he challenges all to think outside the box,” she said.

Tuner and Boyle's speech was both meaningful and lighthearted, interrupted often by laughter from the crowd.

"It seems like just yesterday we were immature, acne-ridden, neat freaks,” said Boyle.

"I think it's safe to say that most of us have grown up a lot since then. I myself have really not done too much growing, but I feel together we've matured,” he said, joking about boys and girls now being able to eat lunch together.

"That first year was an interesting one; we were all very young, very naive,” Turner said, adding the Grade 12 students seemed like they had everything figured out.

"As we're graduating, we realize that some of us really don't know what lies ahead,” she said.

She reminded her fellow graduates that they have people to lean on during this transition.

"As we move onto the next chapter in our lives, we'll take with us not only textbook knowledge, but life lessons as well,” said Turner.

"Adding to this list of vital things, we learned that most of the love stories we embark on will still be a better love story than Twilight,” said Boyle.

Turner talked about the different paths the Vanier grads might take next year, from continuing their education at the post-secondary level, to travelling or immediately entering the work force.

"The path you choose will reflect the relationships and good times we've shared with each other all throughout the years,” Turner said.

Said Boyle: "This grad class has had a positive influence on my life and Hannah's as well, so I can only imagine what you'll be able to do for others out in the real world.”

"I have high hopes for you all ... so shoot for the stars; if you don't make it, you'll land on the moon and even if you miss the moon you're still in space,” Boyle concluded to a mix of laughter, cheers and loud applause.

Several awards were handed out Saturday. The St. Eugene De Mazenod Oblate Awards were given to Taryn Brickner and Arturo Calvo Centeno.

The Dr. Anthony Strelzow Scholarship was awarded to Kaitlyn Bouvier, while the Knights of Columbus Bursary went to Justin Dragoman.

The Catholic Education Association of Yukon Bursary was awarded to Hannah Frison and Elias Park.

The Audrey McLaughlin Bursary went to Kathryn Peters.

Lara Bellon and Erika New received Yukon College scholarships, while Nhi Pham was awarded the Rosemary Burns Grant.