Sylvain Rourke, left, watches as Principal Sylvie Larose moves the graduation cap tassle of Samuel Gilbert symbolizing his successful graduation. Blair McBride/NNSL photo
Families of Allain St. Cyr students gathered in the evening of June 12 for a small but intimate graduation ceremony.
Like previous years at Yellowknife’s sole French language school, the graduating class was small and this year four students were celebrated for completing their studies: Amelie Schwarz, Ellie Lubaki-Zantoko, Sylvain Rourke and Samuel Gilbert.
Each student gave their own speeches where they thanked their classmates and families for their support, and spoke about the challenges of finishing school amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Principal Sylvia Larose expressed her pride in the hard work of the four graduates, who spent the school year studying in their own classroom bubble built inside the gymnasium and isolated from other students.
“They were a very tight group,” she said. “And they didn’t complain or miss any school this year.”
Samuel Gilbert holds up his Governor General’s Award for outstanding academic achievement, as Principal Sylvie Larose and master of ceremonies Mathieu Gagnon speak in the background. Blair McBride/NNSL photoSylvain Rourke, left, receives an elbow bump from Sylvie Rourke, who gave him a parent’s committee award of $200 to be shared among the graduates. Blair McBride/NNSL photoAmelie Schwarz, left, receives an achievement bursary of $500 from the Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest (CSFTNO) from superintendent Yvonne Careen. CSFTNO manages the NWT’s two French schools of Allain St.Cyr and Boreale School in Hay River. Blair McBride/NNSL PhotoIn his speech, Ellie Lubaki-Zantoko thanked his classmates and family for their support during the difficulties of studying amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Blair McBride/NNSL PhotoAn image of Sylvain Rourke as a child is shown on large video screen, during a part of the graduation ceremony where milestones and snippets of graduates’ lives were presented. Blair McBride/NNSL PhotoSt. Cyr teachers Eric Therrien, left, Gwenam Guillas-Letain, Principal Sylvie Larose, Marika Cyr, Christine Raten, Simon Markowski-Bourque, Martin Deschenes, Mathieu Savard, Martin Gauvin, Ingrid Wood, Josette Therrien, Nancy Villemeure, Lisandre St-Amant, Michel Houle, Karine Pelletier, Ginette Bonamie, Georgette Konan; and graduates Amelie Schwarz, Ellie Lubaki-Zantoko, Samuel Gilbert and Sylvain Rourke gather after the ceremony in the hallway. Blair McBride/NNSL PhotoEllie Lubaki-Santoko, left, receives his graduation certificate from Principal Sylvie Larose. Blair McBride/NNSL Photo
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