École Héritage Class celebrates graduation

Tom Henihan
Express Staff

The École Héritage graduation ceremony took place at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Falher on Saturday, May 25.

Archbishop Gerard Pettipas, Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan, officiated at the Eucharistic celebration.

St. Anne’s parish priest Father Jean Cornelis and Deacon Réginald Bouchard assisted the Archbishop in saying Mass at the formal occasion attended by friends, teachers, parents and family members of the graduating students.

The eight students celebrating their graduation were Jonah Maisonneuve, Adrien Houle, Tyler Maure, Nadia Sylvain, Riley Labrecque, Blake Lambert, Zoé Tardif and Eric Dentinger.

École Héritage does not name a Class Valedictorian, instead the students speak together, each giving a brief speech addressed to their teachers and parents.

The musicians playing at the occasion were École Héritage students Meera Sylvain, Alexanne Fillion and school staff Joël Lavoie, Charles Marinier and Jean-Pierre Lavoie.

The graduation ceremony at St. Anne’s Church also included the symbolic lighting of the candles, and the placing of toys and other emblems of childhood at the top of the church, which represents putting childish things aside as the graduates go out into the world.

Following the church celebrations, a banquet was held at Knights of Columbus Hall and a dance was held later in the evening for ages 16 to 21.

At the reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall the following bursaries were presented: Bourse CSNO $800 to Nadia Sylvain, and Bourses de l’ACFA (bursary): Alfred P. Canuel, Bourse des Compagnons, Bourse St-Isidore – $1000

“There is no greater feeling as an educator to see your student proudly wearing a cap and gown in the school’s colours,” says École Héritage Principal, Nicole Walisser. “I am blessed as a principal to share with our students this great achievement.”