Grads at burned Bay d'Espoir Academy get party bus prom surprise

Students who had their graduating year disrupted by a fire in Milltown last January were treated to a surprise Friday night when a party bus picked them up for a celebratory ride around town.

Everyone was energetic and pumped up, so it was a really good start to the day.- Sudent MichaelCoombs

Bay d'Espoir Academy, thetown hall and RCMP detachment in Milltown-Bay d'Espoir were either completely destroyed or damaged by a fire that police say was deliberately seton Jan 15. That meant students had to be temporarily moved to a community centre in St. Alban's.

Pumped up

For the 15 students setto graduate in June, the ordeal called into question their graduation and many oftheir plansfor post-secondary education. That's why having a surprise party bus show up to their senior prom on Friday was so special for the whole class.

"We were all stunned, none of us expected it. We were all trying to think of what it might be throughout the week and it was certainly something that shocked us a lot," student Michael Coombs told the St. John's Morning Show.

"Everyone was energetic and pumped up, so it was a really good start to the day."

Coombs said losing their school in January was not how any of his classmates pictured their last year of school. He said while it was a big adjustment, they all realize moving to the community centre was the best option they had.

"As we finalized grad and ended off the year I think everyone has their heads held high now and everyone has adapted, grown to the surroundings and ultimately a really positive impact for how far we've come," he said.

No timeline for new school

It's already been decided that students at Bay d'Espoir Academy will be spending another year in the community centre, and Principal Connie Wilcotttold CBC there is no timeline in place yet for when the school will be rebuilt.

• Students adjusting to temporary school, 2 months after Milltown-Bay d'Espoir fires

In the meantime, she said everyone is just working to make sure students can continue to get their education, no matter where they get it.

She said a night like Friday on the Party Bus, and just the general outpouring of support, helps the students keep a sense of normalcy despite how devastating a year it was after losing their school.

"The support has been been absolutely amazing and it's really continued right throughout," she said.

"We're still receiving books from the Lions Club, there are student supplies still coming in from various schools, donations of money. So the support has been tremendous right from the start and has continued right through to now with the Party Bus."