With a hop and a skip, students at École Père Mercure celebrated the school’s 25th anniversary at the hall of St. Joseph Calasanctius last Thursday in North Battleford.
Festivities began with Grades 4/5 singing the national anthem, followed by words from Mme Julie Lemire, who hosted the celebration. Speeches, thank yous and presentations were interspersed with short performances by students who recited text, danced and played music.
The seven-student kindergarten class graduated in a cap-and-gown ceremony. In what was likely an unusual percentage, only two students aspired to unconventional careers (in this case, singers), while the other five each had plans to pursue policing, firefighting, and teaching. one student was unsure if she wanted to be a teacher or a cook, but she has time to decide before her projected graduation date of 2029. There were no aspiring astronauts to report.
Mayor Ryan Bater was in attendance and offered some words in French. Presenters that followed included Monsieurs Andre Messier, Martin Prince and Clarence Briand. Prince elaborated on the Père Mercure story.
Mme Elizabeth Blais, one of the school’s founders, and described by Lemire as a “master teacher,” explained how the school came about, and spoke of the current state of affairs.
“Before knowing where we’re going, we have to know where we are,” she said.
Community members were honoured and students read messages submitted by MP Gerry Ritz and MLA Herb Cox.
Near the end of the ceremony, the students stole the show. Some of the older boys paced the stage, then began dancing in a fusion of styles. Students from Grade 1 to 8 then crowded the stage and exuberantly sang and danced their hearts out.
St. Joseph Calasanctius might have something to say about all the French noise that came from the hall of the church named after him. Andre Mercure would be proud.
