Graduation 2020 amid Covid-19: Safe Solutions

Education during COVID-19 has many challenges. Along with those challenges comes with some good times too.  In this video, Brandon White takes a look at high school graduations, public displays of support for the local school and some people who are trying to make learning fun while still staying safe. 

Amidst varying solutions to high-school graduation in the social-distancing Covid reality, one northern Saskatchewan school is using an unexpected strategy: a modified skidoo trailer.

The creative ceremony comes after three months of optional distance education in the province, as the Saskatchewan Government, on March 21 of this year, confirmed it would be giving a passing grade to all students--including Gr. 12's. Students could continue their studies online to improve their grades, but were not obliged to. 

There was a period in May where parents and teachers didn't know what students could expect for their graduation, and the resulting sentiment in the tri-communities was that of concern and support. The realization of a possible distance-based solution was the answer to this public tension, and one that was well received by the communities. 

"It was very individualized -- each Grad had their own moment" said Vice Principal Kristianna Merasty, herself a Churchill Community High School graduate.

CCHS delivered 59 diplomas using a trailer modified specifically for this purpose.

"The biggest thing for our grads is to remember where they come from; to be proud of being from La Ronge, Air Ronge, or Lac La Ronge Indian Band communities"

The graduation stage made its way throughout the tri-communities, as well as to Wadin Bay (20 km north on the highway 102) and Sucker River (30 km N or La Ronge on the same roadway). 

One of the 59 graduates to grace the mobile stage was Valedictorian Jayde Des Roches. 

Des Roches secured a 95% average while participating in the Travel and Wrestling Clubs--both of which have had their plans disrupted by the C-19 Coronavirus. 

The Churchill Community High School's Travel Club had been looking forward to trips to France, the Netherlands and Germany over Easter Break; the Wresting club: Nationals. Still, Jayde is optimistic. "Positivity is difficult and not a linear thing. Some weeks are better than others. Getting to spend more time with friends and family during all this, I think, is the silver lining of it all", she reflects.

Jayde delivered her Valedictorian Speech to MBC on the CCHS grounds, finishing with a message for her fellow graduates:
 
"Just because this COVID thing is coming for us, don't let it stop or postpone what you want to do. Keep going and working towards being what you want to be. Use this time to learn something if you can."