The Master of Ceremonies role for the Alberni District Secondary School’s graduating class of 2016 will be a shared one this year as both Carmen Steinbach and Freya Knapp have teamed up to host and entertain at the graduation ceremony on Friday, June 24.
The duo took it upon themselves to pair up and write both their names on the MC sign-up sheet, a position that is traditionally for a single person.
“I told my friends I wanted to run for MC,” said Knapp,
“They said, well Carmen’s running, and I knew Carmen had more friends then me so I thought if you can’t beat them, you have to join them.”
Knapp said she has wanted to run for MC since she first heard about the position early in her high school career.
“I love having attention on me,” Knapp said.
“I’m super excited for MC, this is what I’ve been looking forward to forever.
Steinbach has also always known she’s wanted to run for MC and has extensive experience with public speaking.
“I speak a lot in Vancouver on behalf of Children’s Hospital and for the Ronald McDonald House,” Steinbach said.
The 17-year-old who was affected by cancer was a patient herself at Children’s Hospital throughout her Grade 10 school year and continues to speak on behalf of the organization and encourages people to donate.
The girls have a lighthearted and fun chemistry between them but claim they haven’t always been so friendly.
“We were rivals in Grade 6,” Knapp said.
“But now look at us.”
Their friendship flourished during their Grade 12 year through their social justice class and working collaboratively on community projects.
“I’d take a bullet for this one,” Knapp said with a smile.
The pair plan to keep their speech heavy with jokes as they introduce guest speakers, including the mayor of Port Alberni and school trustees, and provide final words to their graduating class.
“We’ve got to poke fun at the teachers who we know will be okay with it, like Mr Hall,” Knapp said.
“Making fun of Carmen,” Knapp says, will also be a common thread throughout the night who is one foot taller then her fellow MC, so height humour will definitely be prevalent.
Both MCs say they are excited about graduating high school and that their time at ADSS has been “lit,” which is a good thing.
They also agree on Anne Ostwald as their their favourite teacher and social justice as their favourite course.
After spending the summer in Port Alberni, Knapp is packing her bags and moving to Spain where she will spend one year as a nanny.
“After that I’m hoping to go to school. I want to be a midwife and then work in third world countries,” Knapp said.
For students starting Grade 12 in the fall, Knapp offers the advice to not procrastinate when it comes to finishing grad transitions.
“For kids going into Grade 12, get your grad transistors done soon...it took me like half an hour to do but you just think it’s going to take longer so you put it off and eventually it’s too late,” Knapp said.
Steinback, who will be attending Vancouver Island University in September for a Bachelor of Science, said her wisdom for new Grade 12 students is to keep an organized binder and volunteer.
“I didn’t realize while applying for scholarships how much of it was community involvement...that is what’s important for scholarships at least,” Steinbach said.
The pair aren’t nervous for the graduation ceremony but rather excited to present on stage and showcase their quick-witted humour.
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