SAHTU - As temperatures heat up and summertime approaches, students in the Sahtu are hitting the books for their final exams as graduation time approaches.

Tyler Etchinelle, 19, is set to graduate from Albert Wright school in Tulita on June 8. Etchinelle is looking at a career in the trades, anticipating that lots of jobs will be available with the incoming pipeline. - photo courtesy Jason Shanahan

Twenty-three students could potentially graduate from the region this year. Whether it be college, university, or a career in the trades; this year's graduates are making their plans for life after high school.

Six students are potentially graduating from Ehtseo Ayha school, in Deline, set to happen June 15 at the school gymnasium.

Graduate Janine Dillon, 19, is waiting for her interview to get accepted into a social work program in Red Deer, Alta, with a focus on child neglect.

"I was raised with foster kids all my life," said Dillon about why she chose this field of study. "There's always foster kids in need."

Dillon said it wasn't easy making it to graduation, with many bad influences in the community. Dillon is the youngest in a family of five, and the second child in her family to graduate.

The graduation on June 8 at Albert Wright school in Tulita should see eight graduates this year, according to Principal Wayne Dawe. The school had its first graduates just four years ago, and with nine graduates last year this'll be the schools second largest graduating class.

With mining and exploration activity in the region, Sahtu grads are looking at careers in the trades. That's the direction Tulita graduate Tyler Etchinelle, 19, is looking at.

"The pipeline is coming through, I'll be ready for that," said Etchinelle about the possibilities in the trades. "There's some good money coming up North."Etchinelle plans on going to Calgary for a while to work in seismic. He then plans on moving back to Tulita and get into a trade, preferably as a heavy equipment operator.

Norman Wells will hold its graduation this year on June 22 at the Mackenzie Mountain school, according to teacher Leannah Robertson. She said the school has one confirmed graduate, and three potential depending on the results of their final exams.

Harry MacNeil, principal of Chief T'selehye school in Fort Good Hope, is looking at a graduating class of five this year. He's arranged for former Premier Stephen Kakfwi, originally from Fort Good Hope, to speak to the students during the graduation ceremony June 22 at the school.