The Moose Kerr School Class of 2025 left their high school days behind them in fine style during this year's graduation ceremony.
Janine Johnson, the schoolSA国际影视传媒檚 principal, said the gymnasium was well-decorated with a country-and-western theme.
SA国际影视传媒淪ome of the kids came with their cowboy boots on, and their family members with their cowboy hats on. So it was a really nice, fun theme,SA国际影视传媒� Johnson said.
Seven Grade 12 students in Aklavik walked across the stage this year to accept their diplomas: Erwin Elias, Loretta Koe, Coby Elanik, Edyn Arey, Jordan Archie, Talina Storr and Jesse Irish.
Johnson said this year's class valedictorian was Edyn Arey, who also received the Governor GeneralSA国际影视传媒檚 award.
SA国际影视传媒淎nd we have a new award that we created this year, a really beautiful award called the Philip Elanik Memorial Award. Philip Elanik was a community member who was a beautiful drum dancer, and he died of cancer, but he actually saved his children in a house fire. So the award was created in memory of him, and it shows courage, resilience and a real love of their Inuvialuit culture.SA国际影视传媒�
Johnson said that award was presented to Jordan Archie, along with a $500 grant, which was recently donated by a relative of Arnold J. (Moose) Kerr, who lives in Toronto.
Two other students, Talina Storr and Jesse Irish, each won a leadership award SA国际影视传媒� a $500 grant from the Hockey Hall of Fame, she said, adding that they were two of 25 grants provided to students across the North.
Johnson said Irish has been instrumental in volunteering with the junior kindergarten class SA国际影视传媒渁nd they love him.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淗e's been with them for three or four years, and he creates these beautiful creatures out of pipe cleaners. And you know, he shares that with them. And he comes to school every single day. He never misses a day. He's a very diligent student.SA国际影视传媒�
Storr volunteers as an official at regional sports events, she noted.
SA国际影视传媒淪he loves sports, but she has a really great relationship with the Elders in her life. And, you know, she's very respectful of them.
SA国际影视传媒淪o they kind of won each of those grants based on those qualities.SA国际影视传媒�
Johnson said the school has worked closely with the Hockey Hall of Fame organization over the year.
SA国际影视传媒淭hey provide live virtual sessions that we sign up for if we want to, but kids do traditional things, like, they make beaded earrings and all kinds of amazing things, like birch bark baskets and stuff, and so they've been a really good partner with us.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淭hey also offer a digital scholarship for kids. So I wrote probably about 15 letters for kids to get them a MacBook Pro, and they all were approved for that.
SA国际影视传媒淪o each of the kids got this beautiful MacBook Pro computer laptop, and they sent them here and we presented them,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
Moral support
Graduation is a significant event in the school of 120 pupils, and Grade 12 students cast important influences on others, Johnson said.
SA国际影视传媒淓ach of our classrooms in the school adopted a grad. And a couple of times throughout the year, they might post something on their locker, or they might post a big picture on their wall near their high school classroom, saying, SA国际影视传媒楬ang in there. Loretta, your graduation is coming up. We're proud of you.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淪o the good thing about a small school and a small class is that everybody in the school knows them, and they really become like role models for the little kids. And they look at them and they say, SA国际影视传媒業 can't wait until I graduate. I know I can.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淎nd I heard some of the little ones in Grade 4 and 5 talking about when they get there. So in that way, it's real nice.SA国际影视传媒�
Many paths to success
SA国际影视传媒淲e're really proud of those kids too, right? Especially, you know, the kids who are in it for the long haul, it's not always easy for them. And they really show some resilience. Some have come back after years of being away. And weSA国际影视传媒檝e got some kids graduating at 18 and 19, and we have one that was 21, so everybody's path is different.SA国际影视传媒�
Johnson said community support is key to ensuring a memorable graduation ceremony, and both staff and community organizations help raise the necessary funds for the big celebration.
SA国际影视传媒淓verybody steps up, so they shut down the offices, local offices, and everybody comes and attends. It's a really nice time for the community, and everybody celebrates in the success of these young people.
"And weSA国际影视传媒檝e got a big gym, and we kind of go all out with graduation. And we had a community feast, and so we had a beautiful night,SA国际影视传媒� she added.
