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RANKIN INLET - With yards of fabric and starry plastic wrap, students at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik in Rankin Inlet transformed their gym into an alternate wonderland ahead of last weekend's graduation.

Maani Ulujuk high school teacher Simone Clark gives instructions to the graduating class in Rankin Inlet, the night before festivities began. - Karen Mackenzie/NNSL photo

A red-and-white canopy extended from the centre of the room, with mock streetlamps at each door. The stage was dominated with this year's traditional drum, with the chosen theme: "The time of our lives."

The transformation was thanks to students like Adine Sandy, who spent more than two days on the makeover.

"It was a lot of work," she admitted.

Sandy, one of this year's 19 grads, now plans to pursue a course in office administration at the local Arctic College.

She is the first in her family to graduate from high school, and said her parents are "pretty proud."

With all the trimmings in place, the graduating students filed in last Thursday night for a whirlwind walk-through of the big event to come.

Throughout the rehearsal, teacher Simone Clark offered guidance on every aspect of the special evening, from the order of entrance to its speed.

The students fundraised most of the money for the event themselves with activities like a bingo, according to Clark.

Grads were able to put their stamp on most things, like the colour of their gowns and the theme. But one thing stays firm every year: grads always walk in to the tune of Chariots of Fire.

Clark and the other teachers were a big support throughout the year, according to Catherine Ayaruak, who now plans to attend Red River College in Winnipeg for a carpentry program.

So were everyone's families, and a number of students were expecting family from out of town to come celebrate.

"They made me get out of bed every morning," said Briana Rempel, who hopes to attend university in the coming year.

But before heading off to the next stage of their lives, there was a dinner, ceremony and, more importantly, a prom to attend.

Clark cautioned everyone to take care during the weekend's celebrations.

Kivalliq News will have extensive coverage of the graduation next week.