The long weekend began with a celebration for 24 graduating Ecole Plamondon School graduates.
On Friday, June 28, the Class of 24 donned their caps and gowns and received diplomas and awards at the convocation ceremony, which took place at the Plamondon Festival Centre.
Out of school
Although the students formally finished their schooling from Ecole Plamondon, they didn't actually finish their last school days in the school building. Due to a massive water main break inside the school in April, the grad class and all other students in the K-12 school were placed in temporary classrooms across the region — some in other schools, some inside the same community hall where the grad ceremonies were taking place, and some at Portage College.
It was an ending to the school year that gave a direct example of how life can offer challenges, noted several speakers during the convocation ceremony.
The ceremony began with graduates marching into the Festival Centre and taking their places on the stage in front of a near-capacity crowd comprised mostly of family members, friends, and visiting dignitaries.s
The ceremony started off with the singing of ‘O Canada’, a land acknowledgement and opening remarks. There were speeches by Ecole Plamondon Principal Karen Grygus, NLPS school trustee Blair Norton, , Lac La Biche County Mayor Paul Reutov, Lac La Biche County Ward Three Councillor Colette Borgun and others.
Following the speeches, an awards ceremony took place where various awards were given out. These included the Ecole Plamondon School Perseverance Award – presented to Dylan Bourassa, the Premier’s Citizenship Award, and Ecole Plamondon School Outstanding Student Award. For the next part of the ceremony, the graduates received their diplomas and participated in the traditional cap toss before going outside to have photos taken.
Rylynn Campbell was the Ecole Plamondon School Class of 2024 valedictorian.
In the evening, there was a banquet for the graduates and their families.
The 2024/25 school year at Ecole Plamondon School is expected to resume on schedule, as extensive repairs at the building are continuing through the summer months.