HS Graduation (2023)

June 2.  The day had finally arrived for two excited & relieved senior high school students.  They were graduating high school and moving on to the next chapter of their lives.

As mentioned before, the community hall was decorated days in advance.  Food preparation was much easier for the Graduation Committee in that they didn’t have to prepare any.  The local hotel catered this year!  I think this was the first time since I’ve been here where the graduation dinner was catered.  The hotel’s cook & kitchen staff prepared and transported everything.  We just had to set up tables.  The dinner began at 6:00pm.

Everyone attended in their best attire.  The local RCMP & our MLA David Akeeagok was in attendance.  The food was blessed by an Elder and the grads were invited to be the first to receive their food.  Everyone followed thereafter.  The dinner lasted an hour.  Everyone assisted in the clean up and rearranging the hall for the graduation ceremony.

The ceremony began at 8pm with the local RCMP leading the two graduates to the main stage.  Everyone applauded as the graduates took their seats on stage.  An Elder led everyone in a short prayer and then another lit a ceremonial qulliq.

The principal welcomed everyone to the ceremony and congratulated the two graduates for completing their high school education.  He admitted the journey must have been difficult at times but assured them that it was all worth it.  Now with high school behind them, the grads were ready to explore all the possibilities the world has to offer.  He encouraged them to try new things, explore the world, and if possible, consider becoming a teacher.  He then presented the grads their diplomas. 

The ceremony moved onto awards.  The awards were: Hamlet of Arctic Bay (HAB), Volunteer Achievement, Athletic Achievement, Inuktitut Language, and the Governor General’s Award (GGA).  The HAB & GGA awards are similar in that they’re given to the top academically performing student.  The only difference is the GGA also comes with a large ceremonial coin. 

MLA David Akeeagok was invited to the podium to say a few words to the graduates in the audience.  Similar to the principal’s address, he congratulated the students for finishing high school, wished them all the best, and encouraged them to inspire others to finish high school.

The graduates were invited to address the audience.  It’s not mandatory, but the offer is there.  One graduate accepted the invitation and did a short thank you speech.

Parents/Guardians were also invited to address the graduates & audience.  A few came forward and offered their own congratulations. 

The vice-principal did the closing remarks, thanking everyone for attending and supporting the graduates.  The graduates were led off the stage by the RCMP while music played in the background.  The crowd applauded the graduates one last time. 

The graduates had their pictures taken with the graduation cake.  The cake was then cut and distributed to the people in attendance.  Of course, the grads received the first pieces.  The grads then posed for more photographs with the MLA, RCMP, teachers, family, and friends.  The celebrations lasted well into the night.