SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - "Just a few days left until we graduate," Braden Redshaw said excitedly.

Braden Redshaw is Sir John Franklin High School's 2011 class valedictorian. Redshaw says his speech will focus on school memories of the past and hopes for the future. - Sarah Ferguson/NNSL photo

Redshaw is Sir John Franklin High School's valedictorian for the school's graduating class of 2011, and said his class is thrilled to be finished high school and is hopeful for the future.

"I've been here for all four years (of high school), and we're a close-knit bunch. We're all really glad to finally be graduating," Redshaw said.

Sir John Franklin High School music teacher and graduate advisor Scott Purchase said preparations for this year’s high school grad ceremony are nearly completed for graduation celebrations on June 25 at the Yellowknife Community Arena.

"The gowns are ready to go," said Purchase.

"We plan on having approximately 150 students at the grad this year, and everyone is really excited about the ceremony."

The number of graduating students at Sir John Franklin High School is up from last year, when close to 140 students received their diplomas.

Redshaw said his speech to the graduating class will reflect on school memories of the past and student hopes for the future.

"There are many people that need to be thanked in my speech for making the grad possible," he said.

"I'm still finishing the speech up. It's going to be a good one."

Purchase said the grad planning committee, which consists of six teachers from the high school and a 12 member student grad council, has decided to plan an "old Hollywood" theme for the grad this year, based on the fashion and feel of the 1920s.

"We plan on playing some old-fashioned, black-and-white classic movies like Casablanca as part of the grad party," he said.

Purchase added the grad committee is planning to run the school's "dry grad" event, allowing students to continue celebrating in a drug- and alcohol-free environment, from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. immediately after the grad celebration takes place.

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