Jorge Maria

Fort Colounge June 25, 2021

On a rainy day, the 2021 graduating class of Ecole Secondaire Sieur de Coulonge (ESSC) celebrated in style for their afternoon graduation lunch. 

While the small gathering was an improvement from last year — grad was canceled — it was still far cry from the typical celebration in years past when almost 600 people would be in attendance. Due to a recent COVID outbreak,  plans had to be scaled back.

Vice principal Gabie Paré, and English teacher Christine Hillier MCed the event.

Paré, was doing double duty since her daughter and neice were also graduating.

The wet weather didn’t dampen the spirits of graduates as they entered the cafeteria in pairs and trios dancing their way down a red carpet before finding their seat.

Owen Jewell, 17, said he is going to miss playing sports — lifting and rugby were his favourite activities. After graduation he plans on enroling in a mining course. His friend, Samuel Eadie, 17, said he is going to miss his friends too. In the fall he’ll attend Algonquin College and study business. 

Hillier has been at the school for 20 years and said this graduation would be her last. Paré isn’t convinced, Hillier has made this claim before.