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Grad a community event
Full house at Chief Jimmy Bruneau graduation in Behchoko

Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Saturday, June 22, 2013

BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO
Parents and community members filled the gymnasium at Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School during the school’s graduation ceremony in Behchoko late last month, said principal Patricia Turner.

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Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School graduate Gordon Chocolate stands for a photo with his grandmother, Elizabeth Chocolate, at the school's graduation ceremony in Behchoko on May 25. - photo courtesy of Chris McCarthy

About 350 people came out for the event on May 25.

“The gym was packed full,” she said. “There could have been more or less, but we know we had enough room for 350 people.”

Turner said the school had 30 graduates this year, nearly matching the school’s highest record of 32 graduates.

More than half of this year's graduates have already been accepted to post-secondary school, with the most popular destinations being Aurora College campuses in both Yellowknife and Fort Smith, as well as schools in Edmonton, Alta.

“As of a couple of weeks ago, over half of them had been accepted into a program for the fall and some have been conditionally accepted on top of that, (and are) awaiting their final exam marks in June,” she said. “That’s a very large number as well and we’re very happy with those numbers.”

Turner said the Tlicho Community Services Agency’s (TCSA) post-secondary co-ordinator, who works with students applying to colleges and universities, provided assistance to many of the graduates. She said the TCSA provides funding for post-secondary application fees and also provides scholarships to students. The scholarship funding is added to money provided by the Student Financial Assistance program, which is administered by the territorial government, Turner said.

“They’re supported not only from the school, but the community and the region as well in applying to post secondary,” she said.

Turner said she believes students at the school have been successful because of the support they are receiving at home and in the community.

“In terms of the amount of people at the graduation and supporting the graduates, it’s a strong reflection of the community support they have through their families and community members and the leadership as well,” she said.

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