And what lies beyond the dawn

Behind them are the last bell and school exams, and in the near future – the admission campaign. Excitement and joy, fear and disappointment – it is their turn to feel like applicants.

Behind them are the last bell and school exams, and in the near future – the admission campaign. Excitement and joy, fear and disappointment – it is their turn to feel like applicants. In the meantime – words of farewell and fireworks in honour of the former schoolchildren. On the town square on this June evening, graduates were celebrated. 531 graduates of grades 9 and 11 – this is how many young people in our district have received certificates this year… Girls in flowing dresses and young men in smart suits, touched teachers and parents – by 22:00, many people had gathered near the RDK. "Graduate-2013" – the inscription on the stage echoes the ribbons of the young people. Artists recall the brightest moments in their congratulatory songs – about the last bell and first love, school friends and dreams.

The chairman of the district executive committee, Boris Efremov, congratulated the young people on finishing school:

- We are proud of our graduates, among whom are winners of subject and distance Olympiads, regional, national and international festivals and competitions, participants in innovative projects, artists and athletes… Young people, be grateful to your mentors for their love and the knowledge gained, and to your parents – for their understanding and help. Confidently follow the path of knowledge and boldly build your life trajectory, because our future depends on your ideas…

And here comes the solemn moment: Boris Sergeevich presents certificates and gold medals to 12 eleven-graders. This year, the highest number of excellent students is at the Educational Institution "Gymnasium named after I.M. Erashov of Lepel" – four. The students from Zaslonovskaya Secondary School are not far behind: there are three medalists here.

The graduate of Secondary School No. 3, Anastasia Корпусенко, comes on stage with a response speech and a song. And now, the ninth-graders are ready to receive their certificates of completion of basic school with honours. 13 young men and women are nervously awaiting their invitation.

- You will build the beautiful edifice of your lives with your own hands. I wish you to choose the right path and reach the heights you deserve, – the deputy chairman of the district executive committee, Nikolay Nikitin, advises the graduates and presents certificates to the ninth-graders.

We remember and plan about…

Meanwhile, twilight had descended upon the town, but the celebration continued with musical greetings. Some of the graduates were already releasing balloons into the sky, while others were taking memorable photos with their best school friends… It was the perfect time to ask the graduates about their dreams and memories.

Graduate Maria Nazarova from Starolyadnyanskaya Secondary School promised not to forget her school. Incidentally, the girl doesn't need to wait for a reunion with her classmates to recall cheerful school moments: one of her classmates is always by her side – her twin sister Elena. The sisters started first grade together, moved from Slobodskaya Secondary School to Starolyadnyanskaya in the tenth grade together, and plan to enroll in BSU for technological engineering together. By the way, they achieved identical academic results – both are medalists.

Medalist Nikita Leyko, a graduate of the gymnasium, named history and chemistry lessons as the most interesting. In the future, the young man intends to become a pharmacist. Moreover, two other excellent students – Daria Lyasun and Maxim Kharlenok – will also be applying to Vitebsk State Medical University. However, medalist Elizaveta Agaponko prefers economics.

- I can't believe how quickly time has flown by, - says her mother Elena.

Lyudmila Lyasun, Daria's mother, standing nearby, joins the conversation:

- We are happy for our grown-up little children…

Meanwhile, a family duet is performing on stage: gymnasium student Oksana and her mother Anna Lavetka are performing the touching song "Daughter".

Lyudmila Bykova, the class teacher of the 11th "A" grade, calls the students closer to the stage to support her classmate.

- You have to obey me: I am their class teacher until six in the morning, - smiles Lyudmila Nikiforovna.

A little later, having gathered together, the gymnasium students release "Chinese lanterns" into the sky. The graduates watch these "big stars" slowly rising upwards with joyful exclamations… Around midnight, a bright fireworks display will illuminate the sky over Lepel, but the celebration is not over yet. After all, the dawn still awaits the graduates. That very dawn, after which adult life begins…

Ekaterina Osovskaia

In the photo: Chairman of the District Executive Committee Boris Efremov solemnly presents certificates and medals to the graduates.
Photo by the author.