About 30 of Merritt Secondary School’s 105 Grade 12 graduates put on their caps and gowns and took a tour of all Merritt’s Elementary Schools on Thursday (June 23) to high five students.
Lined up along the hallway, students at Nicola Canford Elementary from all grades cheered and extended their hands to congratulate the grads on their achievement — and to get a glimpse into the not too distant future.
Nicola Canford principal Burt Bergmann said the tour is new to the school district and was done to shows elementary students what the end result of their hard work and education looks like.
“It celebrates our grads, which is nice for them, but it gives hope, a focal point, a purposing,” Bergman said, adding that current elementary students can visualize themselves being in the graduates shoes someday — coming back through their old elementary schools to be cheered on by students and their former teachers alike.
While 30 graduates participated in the high five, all 105 graduates will be on hand for tonight’s Grad Walk.
The class of 2016 will march from Merritt Secondary School to the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena where they will receive their diplomas as part of the annual Grad Walk through downtown Merritt.
The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. and the ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside the arena.
