Few stories are as uplifting as the annual high school graduation ceremonies. Each spring, scores of students stroll across a stage they've crossed many times before. Only this time, they leave with a diploma in hand, dreams of the future in their eyes.

But that's the only story we saw in this year's list of graduates from Sir John and St. Patrick high schools. Looking at the Sir John photos in last week's xxxYellowknifer, we were struck by the number of names belonging to long-time Northern families. Names like Bourque, Cymbalisty and Carthew. Names our reporters and editors, receptionists and advertising agents all recognize.

Many of the names have graced high school graduation features in our pages before. Fathers and mothers, aunt and uncles from the same families have gone through Yellowknife's school system, and the next generation is following in their footsteps.

It's a sign of maturity, not just for the graduates, but for the city, which is building a legacy for itself. More and more graduates are choosing to remain in Yellowknife rather than seek their fortunes elsewhere. And those who choose (wisely) to attend university, are returning with their degrees to live and work where they grew up.

The GNWT's generous policy of forgiving the students loans of those who, after studying at colleges and universities in the South, come back to work in the North, is beginning to bear fruit.

In a time of stubbornly high school drop-out rates and stubbornly low literacy rates across the North, it is one program that we cannot afford to cut and we urge our elected representatives to guard it closely.

Meanwhile, our sincere congratulations to all students, from families both new and familiar to the city. Every diploma is a victory. Every graduate a champion.