Chris Hunsley
Northern News Services

Fort Franklin (June 06/05) - The Ehtseo Ayha School has never had a class like this.

A record number of graduates will complete their studies this year and almost half have applied to attend post-secondary institutions throughout the country, said teacher Jeff Sprecker.

"It's also a record year for the region with 23 graduates and the school in Colville Lake School had their first-ever graduate this year," said Seamus Quigg, superintendent of the Sahtu Divisional Education Council in Norman Wells.

At Fort McPherson's Chief Julius School, 16 senior high schoolers will don the cap and gown June 10 as they walk proudly towards their futures.

"And next year, potentially, we can have as many as 15 graduate," said Roy Cole, principal.

The fact there are 10 Deline graduates suggests the school's two-year-old modular delivery system has made a real difference. Last year, the school only graduated two students.

"It's flexible and continuous so it works well in the community and in a small school it makes more courses available," Sprecker explained.

The work-at-your-own-pace style allows students to go out on the land or be absent from class without penalization. Schoolwork can be made up upon their return.

Quigg also credits the Miss School Miss Out contest, sponsored by Ledcor, for contributing to improved attendance.

"It was quite successful," he said. "It was done at all the schools in the region, so the names of students with perfect attendance were entered into a draw for different prizes."

Teachers have promoted education in regards to self-government explaining that those jobs will require post-secondary education.

Students older

"It seems people are smartening up and sticking in school now," said Warren Vandermeer.

The 19-year-old Deline grad, who plans to attend Aurora College's Heavy Equipment Operator course in Fort Smith this fall, said the ability to grab his work and study individually helped him to get ahead.

"I just work hard and I don't fool around."

Over the last 10 years, more young adults have been returning to school to complete Grade 12.

Crystal Vandermeer, Warren's older sister, was an on-again off-again student herself, until 2001 when she became pregnant.

Now 23, she returned to school two years later, determined to provide a better life for her daughter.

"Yeah, it's unusual," she said. "You see a lot of girls around here having children and not going back."

Now, she will graduate with her brother and last week was accepted to Lethbridge Community College in the two-year business administration/hotel restaurant management course.

The Vandermeers, along with eight other classmates, will celebrate their accomplishments Thursday, June 9.

In Fort McPherson, Cole explained that staff at the K-12 school started an intensive effort the last three years to highlight the importance of education and motivate students to finish.

Now, students are streamed into academic or general course loads after the ninth grade, developing a three-year plan with teachers who will help lead them to graduation.

More teachers

staying

Continuity of staff in a region used to temporary workers has also yielded benefits. Close to two-thirds of Chief Julius' staff has been on hand for more than three years.

"The teachers have been here for a long time now. They teach everyone really well and are fair," said William Kendi, who's really looking forward to graduation. "They're good people. I really respect them."

Role models

Senior students have turned into role models not only for the up and comers, but for adults who never completed their education.

"It's great. More and more people in the community are realizing how important education is," said Kyla Ross.

The 18-year-old, who will leave to undertake a child and youth program at Lethbridge Community College in the fall, said there were many times she wanted to give up on her studies, but her teachers wouldn't walk away.

For Ross, the accomplishment is not just for the students and teachers. It's a reason for the community to celebrate.

"People have always looked down at McPherson," she said.

"Now, here's an opportunity to show what McPherson can do. This is a big class to graduate for a town this size."