Lynn Lau
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jun 06/01) - Graduation ceremonies were held this weekend for Grade 12 students of St. Patrick high school.
Over 600 people turned out to watch the prom Friday night as 86 graduates dressed in their finest for the grand march, the formal portion of the graduation ceremonies.
On Saturday, the cap and gown ceremony was held, followed by the alcohol-free dry grad party in the evening.
"The grad was remarkable," said principal John Bowden.
"Just watching these people seemingly grow up over night is an emotional experience. When they come in they seem like young kids and when they graduate they're adults ... it reminds us all that time passes too quickly."
This year's graduating class included 22 aboriginal students.
"We're very happy with that," Bowden said.
"I just believe that our leaders of tomorrow are coming out of that group."
Class valedictorian Sasha Jason, 17, addressed the school Saturday at the cap and gown ceremony.
"This year we have flourished as a class," Jason told her peers.
"A class that contained individuals and together we have reached a milestone ... I look at the faces in front of me and I see youth. I see determination and a hunger to succeed."
At St. Pat's students are nominated for the honour of valedictorian by their peers, and the decision is made by popular vote. Jason learned she would be valedictorian three weeks ago.
She says she has wanted to be valedictorian for a long time.
"I watched a movie when I was little with a girl giving a valedictorian address, and ever since then I wanted it."
Jason will be heading to the University of Calgary this September to study criminology. She would like to be a lawyer -- probably a Crown attorney.
She says the graduation really became real for her on Saturday at the cap and gown ceremony.
"Friday you just kind of got dressed up and walked around. But Saturday when you got your diploma, that's what you've been waiting for. It seemed a lot more real. Saturday was like that whole new experience."
