The second semester kicked off today at Portage Collegiate Institute.

"People are relieved the first semester is done, but second semester's exams are already on the mind for people already.

Matyasovsky
Even though they're quite a ways away you're still thinking about them," says grade 12 student Arron Matyasovsky on the general mood throughout the building. "I think the thought of graduating is really hyping me up right now, it's not that I have a full course because I'm sort of used to that, but it's really your biggest moment as a teenager. That and being 18 in the same year, it all hits you at once, privilege, relief, and at the same time taking this whole other weight on your shoulders when you leave."

Mason

 

Suzie Mason's looking forward to her final semester of her high school career. She's pretty busy with four-out-of-five classes filled. She's looking forward to working in the auto shop again this year, and can't wait to get the next part of her life started. "I'm going to Brandon University to become a teacher," says Mason. She has a tip for students with a few years left at PCI.

"Everyone needs to help each other out and be friends with each other," adds Mason. "Everyone in my grade started off a little apart but has really come together and we're all like friends now. I just hope that the younger grades do that as well too."

(left) Fraser and (RIght) Pelletier

Marisa Fraser will be leaving Portage Collegiate this summer as a graduate. She says it's a tough time for any student and she's ready to move on to the next part of her life. "We're all almost done here, it's a really big step. I'm just really looking forward to it being done. I want to go somewhere else and experience new things."

"The first half was certainly a doozy," says grade 12 student Luc Pelletier. "I had a lot of work to get done and I started off really slow, but I got through it and got most of my credits, well all except one but that's okay, I'll still graduate," he laughs. He's also got some wise words for students with a couple years left in their high school career. "Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance."