On June 26, eight graduates of Snow Lake's Joseph H. Kerr School took their last walk as seniors down the narrow hallway that leads to the buildings primped and spacious Gordon Doak Gymnasium.

They arrived to the flash of cameras and cheers of friends and family, while taking a circuitous route to their places of prominence on the stage at the west end of the gym.

Prior to the event getting underway, former Snow Laker, Celine Leclair sang O Canada. Many people started out singing with her; however, they stopped just so that they could listen to her earnest and authoritative rendition of the national anthem.

Following his principal's address, Dean Elliott presented the Class of 2010 with their diplomas and turned their tassels. It was at this point that the afternoon's emcee, Alan Beilman, began to call the presenters of bursaries and scholarships to the stage.

Those awards and their recipients were: The Jeff Cann Memorial Bursary. This was a new bursary for 2010 and was given by family members in memory of grad classmate, Jeffrey Cann. There was no mention of its value; however, it was presented to Ara Stoupe.

The Snow Lake Lions Memorial Bursary ($800), Tegan Armsworthy; Royal Canadian Legion Bursary ($500), Tegan Armsworthy; Royal Canadian Legion Auxiliary Bursary ($500) Ara Stoupe; J.H. Kerr Student Council Bursary ($500), Ara Stoupe; Local Manitoba Nurses Union Bursary ($300), Ara Stoupe; Royal Purple Bursary ($400), Nasya Hughes; BPO Elk’s Lodge # 461 Bursary ($500), Ara Stoupe; CUPE Bursary ($250), Ara Stoupe; Snow Lake Health Auxiliary ($500), Ellyn Hornyak; USWA Local # 7106 Bursary ($500), Nasya Hughes; NORMAN RHA Bursary ($250), Ara Stoupe; The Robert Simpson Memorial Bursary Scholarship ($1000), Tegan Armsworthy; Northern Neighbours Foundation Bursary ($500), Ara Stoupe; J.H. Kerr School Committee Scholarships, University ($1500), Nasya Hughes, and College ($1500) Nikita Huxter; HBM&S Scholarship for the highest average ($8000 over 4 years) Ellyn Hornyak. Ellyn also received the Governor General’s Medal for outstanding effort and the Chow Centennial Award for highest average. Both Nasya Hughes and Tegan Armsworthy were presented awards for Most Improved.

Subsequent to the awards, Nasya Hughes and Ara Stoupe delivered their valedictory addresses, while grad fathers, Terry Hornyak and Robert Stoupe, shared guest speaker duties. Both conveyed the humour and heartache of young people coming of age and it was certainly a nice touch to witness these fathers speak to their children.

Following closing remarks, grads, escorts, family and friends gathered in a wonderfully decorated (courtesy of Camie Longmuir and Gordon Cann) Lawrie Marsh Hall. Each year the supper is a time to kick back, replenish the body and reflect on the day. As well, it is a time for toasts, roasts and thanks. Along with the exceptional meal, the highlight of the supper was the reply to the grads toast from a father. Darryl Armsworthy delivered it and began by noting it was the same suit he wore for his son's grad and that speech was still in the pocket... so what the hay! His words were both comical and reverent and they earned Armsworthy a grand round of applause.

Following supper and just prior to the skies opening up with some much needed rain, the Grand March took place in the schoolyard. The Family Social succeeded this and the Safe Grad ... and there ended the 2010 J.H. Kerr School Graduation.