CALEB NICKERSON

FORT COULONGE

March 29, 2019

The cafeteria at École secondaire Sieur de Coulonge (ESSC) was transformed into a dinner theatre on Friday evening, as a group of soon-to-be graduates raised funds for their send-off celebration.

Around 40 Secondary Five students were divided into performers and servers, with actors sporting 50s attire like poodle skirts or t-shirts with rolled up sleeves, and the rest in white shirts and black pants.

Vice-principal Gabie Paré explained that there would be two dinner sittings, one at 5:30 and one at 7 p.m., in order to accommodate all the expected guests.

“Tonight I have minimum 250 and I’m sure I’m going to hit 300 [attendees],” she said.

Paré has been organizing the dinner for the past ten years and said that the theatrical aspect is a more recent addition.

“A few years ago, one of our teachers in drama had the initiative of doing a murder mystery,” she said.

Paré estimated that previous years have netted between $2,000 and $5,000 and she emphasized the contributions by locals that make the event such a success. The money will go towards renting and decorating a hall for the grad celebration, as well as entertainment expenses like a DJ.

“The different businesses in the community give generously,” she said. “[The] supper is fundraised at about 90 per cent.”

In addition to cash donations, much of the food is given at no cost and the monster batch of spaghetti sauce is prepared by the school’s cafeteria worker. Paré said that the only food item she had to buy this year was lettuce.

“Pontiac is just so generous,” she added.

Paré said she will make an announcement regarding this year’s total in a couple weeks, once all expenses have been calculated.