When you push the doors open of the high school you have spent typically four years at, letting in the summer light and air for the last time, it is a moment that can tend to stay with you.
So full of hope and wonder at a world that is opening up like a flower, the High School graduate often feels herself, or himself, entering a world that seems bathed in sunlight.
The graduation from high school is, indeed, a crucial personal landmark. It is an important rite of passage, symbolizing all of the work and effort and friendships that marked the sojourn at the school. Perhaps such rites of passage could be imagined as lighthouses along the shoreline, helping our little boat make its way along the coastline of our lives.
There are, to be sure, numerous lighthouses that appear along the way. Rites of passage, traditions, ceremonies all help us to take notice and to pause to reflect on the meaning that lies behind the ceremony. They enable us to mark and manage change on the landscape of our lives.
The graduation from high school is, however, a particularly crucial one in that it also offers one an opportunity to pause as one phase of life opens to another. The movement from high school to university or college, is in many ways paralleled by the movement from youth to adulthood. It is a juncture at which we reflect upon what we have accomplished up until now, who we are, and who we want to be.
The “Grad,” as it is commonly referred to, of course, consists in so many things which seek to reflect the happiness of this moment. Hair is done just so. Then comes the donning of the graduation gown, the hat, and the long, often nervous, walk up to the platform to receive the diploma which documents the accomplishment, one both academic, but somehow also one which reflects the entire experience. Flowers for the young ladies. Smiles all around. It is usually accompanied by the Promenade. The Prom, for short, consists in a formal dance where young ladies wear gowns. Suits and ties for the young gentlemen. Boutonnieres. Corsages. A day and evening to remember.
RSE is proud to interview one of its own who belongs to the Class of 2019. We asked Marina Layton to reflect on what graduation means to her. Marina has worked with RSE for a number of years as founder Joanna Ranucci’s personal assistant and junior buyer.
You will notice, interestingly, that even at this moment of graduation, horses hold a special place in her heart. Marina began this way:
High School Years
The past four years of high school and life have been a great experience for me. There have been so many ups and downs, but the one thing I am eternally grateful for are the amazing people and horses along the way who’ve helped shape me and make my dreams into a reality. A reality that I never actually envisioned for myself, and never even knew possible!
Since before I can remember, I’ve had a strong pull and fond love for horses. My earliest memory being at Janet’s Farm where I learned to ride on a medium-sized strawberry roan pony named Samira. She was what everyone referred to as your typical “chestnut mare” and “stubborn school pony”. After a few months of consistent lessons, we were packing around 2’ - 2’3 hunter courses at some schooling shows. I remember feeling particularly accomplished after one show, where I was the youngest of everyone entered, yet in every class I placed in the ribbons. I remember that feeling I felt, of never seeming good enough to be a rider, until that show. It helped me gain my confidence as a rider. The other amazing thing Janet’s Farm did for me, was introduce myself to another girl that became one of my closest friends, who I’ve been lucky enough to spend all of elementary school and high school with.
Never deny yourself opportunity.
-Anonymous
During high school, I received many different opportunities to further my riding career and experiment with different disciplines; classical dressage, working equitation, cross country, mounted games, and I really took the time to further understand horses themselves. ... All the opportunities received were made possible thanks to the amazing coaches I've been taught by, the phenomenal horses I’ve been able to work with, and my mother for always supporting my expensive hobby.
In terms of working at RSE, the founder, Joanna Ranucci, has always referred to our work at RSE as dragging something great from out of the shadows again ... But the biggest thing RSE and Joanna have done for me, and continue to do, is help me realize what I want from life and help me obtain my goals through amazing experiences. Joanna showed me that the equestrian world is more than horse shows and horse training. Equestrian fashion is a huge component too, for both horse and rider.
The Graduation
Getting ready for graduation was hectic. I oddly enough wasn’t nervous beforehand at all. It didn’t hit me that I was graduating till I got into my car, heading to the hockey arena for the ceremony that evening. Then I got a bit anxious (hyperventilating and all, had to do some “four square” breathing exercises to calm my nerves). I didn’t know what to expect because we weren’t exactly given any details. What’s the process? How does it work? What order were we going in? How long was each portion of the ceremony going to be? No one seemed to be able to answer my questions either. Essentially, it felt as though we were all going in blind; the only thing that was certain was that we were to wear our caps and gowns, receive our diploma, and listen to some people talk for a few hours.
I had my best friends and some of my biggest supporters by my side though, which was definitely the only thing that put me at ease and got me through the night — knowing I was surrounded by my favourite people, my “ride or dies”. The building was also extremely hot, there were 365 graduating students that evening, plus their families. There was easily well over 700 people, sitting in the hockey arena from 6 to 10 pm. Some of us were smart enough to bring battery-operated fans or plug-in phone fans (to any future graduates, I highly recommend bringing one of these).
After waiting an hour for the teachers to get everyone organized and ensure that we were ready to get started, we all walked out and took our seats. My seat was one from the aisle seat, at the very front row. They divided us into four sections, calling one group of graduates at a time to walk around the back to line up and receive diplomas one by one, on stage. Once my section was called, I was a bit nerve-racked because there were NO mirrors ANYWHERE! I couldn’t see what I looked like as I was about to walk out on stage, before 700+ people. The photos taken were going to be the ones my mom would send to all of our family members, so it couldn’t be a horrendous photo. Then the moment came (far too quickly) when they called my name and I walked out on stage. I heard cheers and screams and clapping from different parts of the arena. Then I walked down, and a wave of calm and also a feeling of accomplishment rushed over me. I was so happy to have this milestone in my life completed.
My grandma always told me that good things come to those who wait, and my family has taught me that amazing things happen to those who wait but also work to earn it.
-Marina Layton
I loved high school. I had an amazing high school experience. I made so many friends; some older people whom I reconnected with and some new individuals who were my polar opposites. Sitting in the crowd of over three hundred graduates, I realized how much I’ve changed as a person: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Afterwards, it was a bit hectic trying to navigate my way through seven hundred people, but once I was outside and found my friends and family again it was just a buzz of happiness. I don’t think I have ever felt so truly blessed to be surrounded by so many people (especially since I can get claustrophobic and dislike large crowds). Although I am sad to part ways with these amazing people, and the thought of everyone leaving is scary and worrying, I know that all this change is a sign of growth and good things to come. My grandma always told me that good things come to those who wait, and my family has taught me that amazing things happen to those who wait but also work to earn it. Last night was one of the few times so far in my life, where I’ve truly felt that.
The Future
Marina reflects on her future:
As for my future, I will be having a few long-distance relationships: one with RSE, another with Sandlyn Farms where I’m currently working on show jumping and hunters, my horses, and lastly my friends & family. I am very excited to embark on the next chapter of my life, making new memories and meeting new people. I will surely miss everyone dearly, particularly my horses. I will still be returning home as much as I can and will continue to find ways to further my riding career while in university.
The graduate’s departure to university is at one and the same time both exciting and a little scary. Marina has mentioned that we need to remember that this is true for both the graduates and for their families. Change can be scary at times, but without it we don’t have growth and progress. We do well to remember, too, that our graduates while moving into adulthood still need the support of their families and communities.
Marina is now about to make the departure from high school to take up an offer of admission at the University of Waterloo. Marina plans to study in the Global Business and Digital Arts program there. RSE congratulates and extends our best wishes to Marina and all 2019 Graduates.
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