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NNSL Photo/graphic

Sisters Krystal and Aleisha Manuel enjoy their day off. "If this screws up my year, I'm going to be angry," said Krystal of the SHSS closure due to the roof collapse. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

Mixed reviews to closure

Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (May 10/04) - Some students may dream of the day their school burns down. On Monday morning, Samuel Hearne Secondary school students got the next best thing when the building's foyer roof collapsed under the weight of snow.

Thursday, while deputy premier Floyd Roland and Education Culture and Employment minister Charles Dent arrived in Inuvik to discuss the situation with regional officials, students could be found in a variety of locations enjoying the unexpected holiday.

"It rocks my world to have another holiday," said grade 10 student Lu Tee over pizza.

Tee's friend Sheena Campbell didn't think the situation was that bad either.

"I don't have to get up in the morning, so that's good," she said.

However, senior students who are supposed to graduate this year were concerned, rather than elated with the circumstances.

"I was told by many that the year could be messed up," said Grade 12 student Dennis Dosedel. "I have enough credits to graduate already, but others may not be in the same position."

Grade 12 student Krystal Manuel believes her year may be in jeopardy.

"It's bad enough that kids don't come to school already, so this isn't the best thing that could've happened," she said. "If this screws up my year I'm going to be angry."

As for parents, those the Drum spoke with were relieved that nobody was hurt in the incident.

"Like most parents, I'm just grateful that nobody was hurt," said parent Doris Tyler. "But I'm also concerned that it appears there was no kind of monitoring or inspection. Lots of buildings have snow removal and this shows no foresight."

Concerned parent Rosie Archie echoed Tyler's sentiment.

"Safety should always be first," she said. "Somebody should've removed the snow long ago."