Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Coral Harbour (Oct 10/01) - The big day is now only a bit more than two weeks away for the Class of 2001 at Sakku school in Coral Harbour.

Graduation ceremonies will be held at the school on Saturday, Oct. 27.

Sakku's Class of 2001 will have three graduates -- Lorna Ell, Robin Kolit and Abel Kalai -- receive their Grade 12 diplomas.

Sakku school principal Ken Beardsall says preparations for the big night are well underway.

A graduation committee has been formed and the students are working on Sakku's traditional large wooden disc, which is to be erected in the school's foyer.

The graduating class paints onto the plywood circle the year of the grad its emblem, motto and, some years, the names of the graduates.

"There's a lot of decorations going to be in place to mark the big night for these students," says Beardsall.

"We're also very excited Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell is trying to come into Coral for the grad."

Sakku school started graduating Grade 12 students in 1995.

On average, the school has graduated two or three students per year, with its largest being the eight graduates in the Class of 2000.

Beardsall says a number of factors go into the number of students to graduate each year.

He says sometimes, as in 2000, a group of students will build up that has almost all of its credits.

"In Coral, we also have students who sometimes want to graduate together.

"They know a friend is going to graduate during this particular year, so they'll make the extra effort to finish the last couple of courses they need to earn their diploma."

Beardsall is quick to point out that a smaller community only having two or three graduates during any given year doesn't lessen the significance of their accomplishment.

"We know how much work our students put into earning their Grade 12 diplomas and it's a great accomplishment," he said.

"High school graduation is taken seriously in Coral Harbour.

"It's a special time for our community."