SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - If Emma Welsh seems a little nervous today don't blame her, because she has every reason to be - on Saturday the St. Patrick High School senior is set to read her valedictorian speech to hundreds of people gathered at the St. Patrick's Catholic Parish.

St. Patrick High School students Lisa Do and Phi Nguyen practise the waltz Wednesday in preparation for their graduation dance that takes place today. - Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison/NNSL photo

"I'm mostly excited," she said. "I've been editing it all week."

Welsh is one of 90 St. Patrick High School Grade 12 students who will have a very busy weekend, starting with a grand march and grad dance Friday.

At 9 p.m. they will enter the school's gym for the march, followed by a reception, dance and midnight slide show presentation. Students present at the end of the night will also be included in a draw to win a First Air ticket to Edmonton.

On Saturday at 11 a.m. there will be a mass at the St. Patrick's Catholic Parish, followed by the graduation ceremony at the school at 1 p.m., where Welsh will speak.

Although her lips are sealed on what her valedictorian speech will entail, she said she will remind her fellow classmates that graduating high school is just the beginning of the adventure, not the end.

"Look at us," she said. "This isn't it. We have to keep on going."

Following the ceremony there will be a barbecue at the Yellowknife Community Arena for graduates and their families, as well as their dates.

Dry grad, which is held inside the arena, begins at 9:30 p.m. and runs until 5 a.m. on Sunday.

According to assistant principal Todd Stewart, to take part in the weekend festivities all graduates had to sign a "dry weekend contract" promising to stay sober and not take the party elsewhere.

Last week, 85 of the graduating students from St. Patrick High School also participated in the annual overnight retreat held at the Prelude Lake Guide Camp.

Michele Thoms, a teacher and graduation adviser who helped supervise the event, said they took part in a liturgy, played games and spent time "reflecting on their past, appreciating their present and looking to their future."

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