‘It's really exciting': Hundreds of Winnipeggers finishing second shot at high school
Zoe McKay, 28, practices her valedictorian speech as she is set to graduate high school from the Winnipeg Adult Education Centre. June 24, 2025. (Daniel Halmarson/CTV News Winnipeg)
Thousands of students are graduating from high schools across Manitoba this week, including 28-year-old Zoe McKay – the Winnipeg Adult Education Centre's (WAEC) Class of 2025 valedictorian.
'I think I would have probably laughed if you told me this would happen at some point,' McKay told CTV News on Tuesday. 'I'm kind of in disbelief. It's really exciting.'
It's a big change for McKay, who dropped out of high school more than a decade ago.
'There was a lot going on that just made it really difficult to physically be there in school,' she explained. 'I wasn't able to make that a priority at the time, which was always a huge regret of mine.'
She credits a relative for offering her a place to stay while she pursued a high school diploma over the past year.
'He told me the only criteria is you just have to really buckle down and focus on your education because he's always wanted to see that for me. He knew that it was a huge goal of mine as well.'
McKay is among the approximately 150 WAEC students receiving their high school diploma during convocation Thursday.
Many of her classmates are new to Canada after fleeing war-torn countries like Ukraine.
Vladyslav Popenko moved to Canada in 2023 and although he finished secondary school in Ukraine, he needed to improve his English and finish grade 12 courses.
'Graduation will be the day I've been waiting for,' Popenko said.
He plans on attending the University of Manitoba in the fall to pursue a degree in kinesiology.
Other students, like Yohana Gebrekirstos and Robel Tesfatsion, moved to Canada from Eritrea over the past couple of years. Both have post-secondary education under their belts but recognized the importance of earning a Canadian high school diploma.
'It opens everything up – if you want to go to university, college, or if you want to work,' Tesfatsion said.
WAEC principal Dino Di Fabrizio said mature students come from different backgrounds, circumstances and experiences, but he adds they all share a common goal.
'They come in with such great intentions on what they could potentially do. And it's inspirational watching them make this walk and take this journey,' Di Fabrizio told CTV News.
The grads-to-be said returning to high school was intimidating at first, but the fear and stigma of being adult learners quickly faded away.
'I was so nervous. I had no idea what to expect. But it was amazing. I didn't realize what a supportive and multifaceted community they built on campus there,' McKay said.
Yohana Gebrekirstos, who wants to become a nurse, encourages other adults to chase their educational dreams as well.
'After you take the first step, the other steps will just continue by themselves. So just take the first step,' Gebrekirstos said.
'Don't be scared of change,' McKay added. 'Change can give you the ability to transform your circumstances and take agency over your path going forward. Just jump into the great unknown and see what happens.'
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Zoe McKay, 28, practices her valedictorian speech as she is set to graduate high school from the Winnipeg Adult Education Centre. June 24, 2025. (Daniel Halmarson/CTV News Winnipeg) Thousands of students are graduating from high schools across Manitoba this week, including 28-year-old Zoe McKay – the Winnipeg Adult Education Centre's (WAEC) Class of 2025 valedictorian. 'I think I would have probably laughed if you told me this would happen at some point,' McKay told CTV News on Tuesday. 'I'm kind of in disbelief. It's really exciting.' It's a big change for McKay, who dropped out of high school more than a decade ago. 'There was a lot going on that just made it really difficult to physically be there in school,' she explained. 'I wasn't able to make that a priority at the time, which was always a huge regret of mine.' She credits a relative for offering her a place to stay while she pursued a high school diploma over the past year. 'He told me the only criteria is you just have to really buckle down and focus on your education because he's always wanted to see that for me. He knew that it was a huge goal of mine as well.' McKay is among the approximately 150 WAEC students receiving their high school diploma during convocation Thursday. Many of her classmates are new to Canada after fleeing war-torn countries like Ukraine. Vladyslav Popenko moved to Canada in 2023 and although he finished secondary school in Ukraine, he needed to improve his English and finish grade 12 courses. 'Graduation will be the day I've been waiting for,' Popenko said. He plans on attending the University of Manitoba in the fall to pursue a degree in kinesiology. Other students, like Yohana Gebrekirstos and Robel Tesfatsion, moved to Canada from Eritrea over the past couple of years. Both have post-secondary education under their belts but recognized the importance of earning a Canadian high school diploma. 'It opens everything up – if you want to go to university, college, or if you want to work,' Tesfatsion said. WAEC principal Dino Di Fabrizio said mature students come from different backgrounds, circumstances and experiences, but he adds they all share a common goal. 'They come in with such great intentions on what they could potentially do. And it's inspirational watching them make this walk and take this journey,' Di Fabrizio told CTV News. The grads-to-be said returning to high school was intimidating at first, but the fear and stigma of being adult learners quickly faded away. 'I was so nervous. I had no idea what to expect. But it was amazing. I didn't realize what a supportive and multifaceted community they built on campus there,' McKay said. Yohana Gebrekirstos, who wants to become a nurse, encourages other adults to chase their educational dreams as well. 'After you take the first step, the other steps will just continue by themselves. So just take the first step,' Gebrekirstos said. 'Don't be scared of change,' McKay added. 'Change can give you the ability to transform your circumstances and take agency over your path going forward. Just jump into the great unknown and see what happens.'
