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'Next is the unknown' Sir John Franklin grads talk of exciting and scary future
Candace Thomson
Northern News Services
Published Friday, June 28, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
There were teary-eyed parents and an explosion of camera flashes to welcome Sir John Franklin High School's graduating class of 2013 during their opening procession Wednesday.
The ceremony at the Shorty Brown Arena in the Multiplex drew a crowd of over 1,500 people. Families and friends of the graduates were jam-packed into rows of seats that left just enough room for the graduates to march through on their way to the stage, while members of the general public were welcomed into the balcony viewing area.
Robert and Ethel Fyfe waited hours to see their grandson Colton walk across the stage to get his diploma. Ethel said they were proud of their grandson and didn't want to miss the ceremony for anything.
"He's the last of our grandchildren to graduate," said Ethel. "We're going to have to wait for great-grandchildren now."
Over 164 graduates accepted their diplomas after hearing inspiring speeches from their principal Ed Lippert, political figures, members of the Yellowknife Education District No. 1 school board and more.
After the graduates received their diplomas, Lippert commended the aboriginal graduates with a separate round of applause. Students who had earned their French bilingual and French immersion certificates were also congratulated with a second march across the stage.
Various businesses and sponsors awarded 14 scholarship winners. Martha Hamre took home the City of Yellowknife Citizenship award and the Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. scholarship. Hamre plans to pursue a career in environmental engineering.
The graduating class of 2013 is a close-knit group, demonstrated at Wednesday's ceremony by the two students who shared the honour of being class valedictorian.
This was the first time the school has had co-valedictorians, said Lippert.
Taylor Rein and Alex Weir originally campaigned separately for the honour but, in an effort to avoid the usual popularity contest, they proposed to share the limelight, an idea that was unanimously approved by the grad committee and student council.
The co-valedictorians commended their teachers and school administration for being the unsung heroes who got them through their education.
"They achieved a selfless goal of furthering us as people," said Rein.
They also thanked all parents, saying the graduation ceremony was as much a victory for them as it was for the graduates.
"You've put up with a multitude of pain and crap from us," said Weir. "... sometimes literally."
After reassuring parents the graduates would be fine once they left home, the valedictorians turned their address to their classmates.
"Tonight is our last chance to make memories that will last a lifetime," said Rein.
Weir told his classmates to look forward to change.
"Beforehand we were safe," said Weir. "Next is the unknown, but it's more of a beginning than an end."
Many of the graduates have plans to attend university. Others have dreams of travelling the world and some are taking a year off to work before deciding what they're going to do.
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