High School Graduation (2022)

June 3 was a very special day for six high school students.  Their graduation day had arrived!  I’m certain they had been looking forward to this day when they first entered high school.

Fundraising for the event began months in advance.  Several events were held to raise money for decorations, gowns, rings, and catering.  The Graduation Committee reached its fundraising goal and ordered everything needed on time.

The soon-to-be high school graduates spent the morning and afternoon of June 3 decorating the community hall.  They received help from high school students and teachers.  Everything was ready by the late afternoon.  The high school graduates were dismissed early so they could get their formal clothing ready for the evening ceremony.

I arrived at the community hall at 5:30pm to photograph the decorations and food preparations before the start of dinner.  I was wearing a suit.  A large congratulatory banner greeted me in the main foyer.  I greeted the local caterer, hard at work in the kitchen, and entered the hall with my camera.  The Grads and their helpers did an excellent job at decorating the venue.  There were balloons, stars, curtains, lights, tables, chairs, and a red carpet.  The dining area was in front of the stage and large enough to accommodate at least 60 guests. 

The dinner menu featured: turkey, gravy, salads, cherry sauce, green peas, cheesecake, juice, coffee, and tea.  Several staff members & I assisted in bringing the trays of food into the dining area. 

The graduates and their guests arrived wearing formal clothing.  They seated themselves and dinner began at 6pm.  The emcees welcomed everyone and an Elder to blessed the food.  The graduates lined up first, followed by their guests.  I got into line last with the other teachers.  Don’t worry, there was plenty of food to go around.  I even had seconds!  In fact, many people did and there were still leftovers.  Dinner lasted for about an hour.

The next 30 minutes were spent clearing the dinner tables, moving all the dirty dishes & cutlery to the kitchen, putting away the tables, and setting up rows of chairs for the ceremony.  While this was happening, the graduates got into their red gowns.  More people began arriving at around 7:45pm, eager and excited to see Arctic Bay’s next batch of high school graduates.  They were given printed programs in Inuktitut and English before finding seats in the hall.

The graduation ceremony began at 8pm with the playing of the graduates’ chosen song.  The local RCMP officers walked in and took positions on both sides of the stage.  The emcees called out the graduates individually to come forward.  They walked under a metal, balloon covered arch, followed the red carpet to the stage, and took a position on stage.  The audience applauded and cheered after each name was called.  The music faded and everyone took their seats.

An Elder started with an opening prayer.  Another Elder continued with the lighting of a ceremonial qulliq.  The principal continued with his Opening Address, welcoming everyone, and congratulating the graduates for completing high school.  He also thanked parents, guardians, and friends of the students for supporting them in completing their studies.

The District Education Authority (DEA) presented the graduation rings to the graduates.  The rings were selected and ordered months in advance. 

The ceremony moved on to the Presentation of Awards.  The vice principal began with the Governor General’s Academic Medal Award.  This was given to the student with the highest academic score and who displayed leadership skills.  The math & science teacher awarded the Math & Science Award to the student with the highest scores in those subjects.  A town councillor gave the Hamlet of Arctic Bay Award to the student with the highest academic average.  I was given the opportunity to present the Volunteer Award to the student who volunteered the most in the community.  The top athlete was presented with the Athletic Achievement Award by the school’s gym teacher.  The last award was the Inuktitut Language Award, given to the graduate with the highest grade in Inuktitut Language Studies.  This award was presented by the high school Inuktitut teacher.

The ceremony’s climax finally arrived.  Each graduate was called to receive their diploma from the principal.  It was difficult for them to contain their joy and happiness.  The audience applauded each graduate, and many photos were taken.

The graduates were given the opportunity to say a few words to the audience, but they all declined.  Several parents & guardians came up to the podium and gave short congratulatory speeches.  They also thanked the teachers for helping their children complete high school.

The vice principal returned to give the Closing Remarks.  She thanked everyone who helped organize and carry out the dinner & ceremony, and once again congratulated the graduates.

The emcees were given the honour of ending the ceremony.  They signaled for the selected music to be played.  The graduates stood up, exited the stage, and followed the RCMP officers out of the hall.  The audience clapped and cheered as they walked by.  When the music stopped, many people personally congratulated the recent grads in the main hallway.  I did the same, making sure to shake each of their hands. 

The graduates gathered around the large cake made for them.  The cake was labelled, “Class of 2022” and had their first names written in icing.  The grads held a knife and ceremoniously cut the cake while photographs were taken.  They were given the first pieces.  Staff members divided the cake into many more pieces for the people who attended the ceremony.  I managed to get a piece.

I helped in the kitchen with the cleaning of the dishes & cutlery.  Everything that was owned by the school needed to be packed into containers and brought back to the school that night.  Thankfully, I was able to borrow one of Frank’s trucks.  Dishes and cutlery are heavy.  Several teachers helped me move everything to the school.  We didn’t get home until 9:45pm.

I know it’s been said already in this post, but I’ll say it again: congratulations high school grads of 2022!  You did it!  You now have a world of opportunities in front of you.  Take advantage of them.  Go to university, college, and/or pursue another avenue that’ll lead to further successes.  You can always come over to the other side and become teachers.  Nunavut’s education system and youth need you.