Yellowknife (May 12/06) - There are few bigger milestones in high school than graduation.

From the celebrations and dances, to the speeches from valedictorians, students have little time to relax in between festivities - especially for the students organizing the events.

High school sweethearts Yuliya Len, 17, and Dustin Maksymowich, 18, practice their walk at the rehearsal at Sir John Franklin high school. - Jessica Gray/NNSL photo

"We took dancing lessons yesterday and had our first rehearsal this morning, with a speech rehearsal tonight," said student council president and 2006 valedictorian Leila Hurst, 18, Wednesday morning.

Sir John Franklin high school will hold its graduation ceremonies today and tomorrow for the 142 Grade 12 students leaving Sir John to pursue other things.

Mieke Cameron, Sir John principal, said this is the biggest graduating class since the school taught students from around the NWT.

"Year after year our numbers grow," Cameron said.

Last year, 123 students graduated and around 115 did the year before, she said.

Matthew Ellis, graduation council president, said they have been planning the 2006 ceremony since last October.

"(The grad council) went on a retreat to plan what the ceremony would be like and what fundraisers we would do," Ellis said.

There are eight students who were elected to help plan the event, along with two faculty members.

Festivities will kick off at 7 p.m. tonight with the Evening of Elegance, where the grads get dressed to the nines. The theme is "A Night in Gotham."

Students, their parents or guardians, friends, staff and guest speakers will spend the night reminiscing about their experiences and thinking about what the future will hold and then dance the night away at the Explorer Hotel.

Students will then get together for their actual convocation on Saturday at 7 p.m., followed by the "Carnivale" Dry Grad.

Students will be bussed to the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool for a swim and then to the Multiplex Arena for more fun events, Ellis said.

Breakfast will be served at 3 a.m. Saturday morning, with the event ending two hours later.

These are huge events that all the students want to attend, said Hurst.

"Everyone shows up," said Hurst, despite the fact alcohol is not served or allowed at the event.

Most grads at the rehearsal were excited to be graduating, but realized that getting their diploma in June is another moment to look forward to.

"This grad is symbolic, but getting my diploma in the summer will be a bigger moment for me," Ellis said.

Students still have to complete final exams and community service hours if they have not already done so.

Only a "small percentage" of the students will not have enough credits or high enough grades to graduate with the 2006 class, Cameron said.