Twenty-seven Grade 6 students proudly walked through Jasper Elementary School (JES) to bid farewell to their teachers and classmates on their final day of school, June 29.
The graduation ceremony, known as the walk down celebration, has become a rite of passage for Grade 6 students at JES, which has held the annual event for more than thirty years.
To mark the special occasion, dozens of younger students lined the hallway cheering on their fellow classmates and offering the occasional high-five to the outstretched hand.
Following the procession, students headed over to the Jasper Activity Centre where their teachers individually recognized them in front of family and friends.
鈥淭oday is a very special day,鈥� said Jodi Campbell, the school鈥檚 principal.
鈥淭he responsibilities that you鈥檝e successfully tackled this year prove that you have the skills needed to carry you through the next phase of your schooling.鈥�
During her speech she reflected on the fond memories she had teaching them as a Kindergarten teacher.
鈥淎t your Kindergarten graduation we told you that we looked forward to spending the next six years with you, that we鈥檇 hold hands and stick together. Letting go of that grip is not easy but we know you鈥檙e ready for that leap,鈥� said Campbell.
鈥淵ou鈥檝e faced challenges this year and you鈥檙e smarter, wiser, stronger and more mature because of this. Along with your parents, the staff at JES are proud of all that you鈥檝e accomplished and who you鈥檝e grown to be. Remember our school motto: be the best that you can be and look for the best in others.鈥�
Following Campbell鈥檚 speech Connie Sawka and John Auger introduced each of their students and shared some of their highlights over the past seven years.
Each student also shook hands with school board trustee Betsy DeClerq, vice-principal Shawn Arseneault and Campbell.
The ceremony also included a moment to recognize the school鈥檚 countless volunteers.
鈥淰olunteers serve an essential role here at Jasper Elementary School, without them a myriad of activities in and out of the classroom could not be done,鈥� said Arseneault.
Paul Clarke
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