INUVIK
Even Mother Nature found the East Three Secondary School graduation to be a bittersweet moment on May 30.
Grade 12 student Luke Terry was escorted at his graduation ceremony by his mother Dr. Leah Seaman May 30. Terry was wearing a ceremonial blanket of Haida Gwaii design as a stole. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo
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After more than two weeks of gorgeous, if unseasonable, early-summer weather, snow and cold temperatures swept back in for graduation weekend, interspersed with moments of brilliant sunshine.
It matched the mood of many of the participants, both students and parents, who alternated behind highs of giddy excitement and the sobering prospect of a largely unknown future and the spectre of empty nests.
Denise Kurszewski, the superintendent of the Beaufort Delta Education Council, likely did the best job of expressing the importance of the moment as she spoke to the students and the packed audience in the East Three gym.
"In the North, graduation becomes a community event," she said during her speech.
"During your education you've had the best of both worlds," she continued, noting the plethora of opportunities afforded to students to travel, to learn traditional lifestyle skills, and to receive a typical education.
Alfred Moses, the MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake, was also eloquent in his comments, noting the "joy on the graduate's faces".
He echoed Kurszewksi, saying the attention shown to the graduates is a perfect way to "acknowledge and honour" the students.
"It's only the beginning for you," Moses told the 38 students. "You have so much more to experience. Don't be afraid to make mistakes or to fail."
Sentiments were definitely mixed amongst both the students and their parents.
Eileen McKay-Saturnino, whose daughter Carina was the valedictorian, said she was perhaps a bit lucky that this was the only high school graduation she would see because her daughter is an only child.
"It was a bit emotional, but more exciting. It'll hit me more when she leaves for university. I think she intentionally went as far away as she could," McKay-Saturnino said.
Carina is heading for Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia to study kinesiology. She said she hopes to be a physiotherapist some day.
Justin Kingmiaqtuq is taking a year off from education to work at the hospital before pursuing his plans to attend culinary school.
"I enjoy cooking, so that's what I want to do."
Dave Kaufman, whose son Ben was honoured for having the highest average amongst the male students, was one of those with mixed feelings.
Ben is the youngest of his three children, he noted, so he and his wife Mary would be sorting out the "empty nest" syndrome in the next few months.
Ben, he said, was a "brilliant" student ... when he wanted to be.
"At least I won't have to chase after him about assignments and homework anymore," Dave said with a smile. "He was brilliant when something caught his attention, but it wasn't easy to engage his attention."
"It was the same with all of them ... I had to chase, chase, chase to see if assignments were done."
Ben is heading to the University of British Columbia in the fall, Dave added.
"I'm kind of looking forward to having an empty house," he added with a smile. "We have to figure out what to do with ourselves now."
Louie Goose, a legendary Inuvik musician, was celebrating the graduation of the oldest child, Anika, from his "second family."
It was an unusual feeling, he said, considering his oldest child, Leanne, is now a well known musician in her own right.
While he's experienced the happiness and sadness of graduation before, this one hit him hard.
"It seems like just yesterday she was learning how to talk," he said. "Time just flies. It's amazing just how fast they grow up and next thing they're a part of mainstream society.
"Who knows? Maybe one of them will find the cure for cancer, and that's the most exciting part of it all."
Tanya Badgley, whose daughter Amy is the first of her three children to graduate, was fighting back a few tears.
"It's quite the moment. I'm very excited for her. She's a smart girl and it's been a challenge at times, but she's a good kid and we're proud of her."
"I don't mind if she stays for a while," Tanya added. "She's not sure of what her plans are now, they change by the day. I know she's looking at post-secondary but she wants to work a bit on her photography. We're just not sure exactly what there will be in the fall."
Doug Robertson, the former director of the Aurora Campus, said "it was a great day, a long-awaited day."
His son Alex was one of the graduates, and he will be pursuing his dream of becoming a national-class speedskater in Yellowknife over the next year.
"For a young guy who doesn't get very excited for very much or anything, he was awfully excited today."
"Yeah, I am," Alex added with a smile. "I'm not really sure what to say."
"I'm going to go to Yellowknife and upgrade and then train with the guys there. I hope to be in Calgary after that."
