It’s almost the end of the road for the graduating class at Jasper Junior/Senior High School. The grads have been fundraising and planning for most of the year for the events that will take place over the next few days, starting on Friday afternoon (May 11).

Members of the community are welcome to attend the cap and gown ceremony, set for the high school gym starting at 1 p.m. Following the official ceremony in front of their fellow students, the grad class, their families and teachers will have a tea and then an evening barbeque is scheduled to take place at the airstrip.

On Saturday (May 12) the festivities start with a group photo that will later grace the halls of the grads alma mater, followed closely by the grand march. Once again, the high school welcomes members of the community to come to the gym and see the grads in all their finery.

As is customary, the formal grad dinner takes place at the Jasper Park Lodge later in the evening, and the meal will be followed by speeches including the valedictory address and a keynote speaker.

This year, the grad class unanimously selected high school English teacher Angie Lemire to deliver the keynote at the grad dinner. Lemire’s selection marks the first time in recent memory that a grad class chose a speaker without any debate, said grad advisor Holly Hammell.

“There wasn’t even another suggestion made,” she said.

Hammell also noted that this year’s set of graduates voted to forego the traditional cocktail party, which was typically for graduates exclusively, in favour of more time with friends and family at the JPL.

“It’s something worth noting,” said Hammell. “It was the kids’ decision to have more time with family.”

Between fundraising events like last week’s ham dinner and the everyday support displayed by businesses and individuals in Jasper, Hammell said the grad class would like to extend a sincere thank you to the community in advance of their big moment.

Watch for complete coverage of Grad 2006 in next week’s issue of the Fitzhugh.