Sheshatshiu Innu School's class of 2018 sets graduating record

After several years of increasing numbers of high school graduates, the Sheshatshiu Innu Schoolhas set a new record.

This June, 21 students formed the Class of 2018, the most graduates the school has ever had since itopened in September 2009.

"It feels good. Icried so many times. I've been waiting for that moment for so long,"DasiObedtold theLabrador Morning Showabout going to her graduation ceremonywith her parents in attendance.

"I didn't think I would make it that far."

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'The numbers speak for themselves'

The 2018recordis part of a growing graduation trend in the community.

"We've had a total of 94 graduates since 2009,which is amazing," said Elena Andrew, the school's director of education, adding that growth is asource of pride not only for the school itself, but also the entire community.

"We're always really excited to see big numbers," she said. "Students are staying in school and it's really great to see."

Andrew said she was the only graduate in the Class of 1999 at Peenamin McKenzie school, which operated in the community prior to the SheshatshiuInnu School's opening.

"My schooling experience was not the greatest, and I think that the experience that the kids have now is a lot more positive than what it was before," she said.

The Sheshatshiu Innu School is run by MamuTshishkutamashutau Innu Education,unlikethe previous school, which operated under the Labrador SchoolBoard.

"Before theInnutook over the school, Idon't think the LabradorSchool Board was doing very well with theInukeducation ofInnuchildren. But now since 2009, the numbers speak for themselves," Andrew said.

"Innupeople knew what their kids wanted and what they needed, and there's a sense of pride inInnurunning their own education."

Post-secondary plans

Many of the school's past graduates have moved onto post-secondary education, Andrew said, and three from the community graduated from their programs this spring.

Obed plans to take some university courses through college, with the eventual goal of being a policeofficer, and perhaps eventually working as onein Labrador.

Another graduating student,Aurora Andrew, hopes to complete a heavy equipment operation program in Badger. She said her career goal was inspired by a class trip that included a tour of the industrial site at Voisey's Bay.

"It looks fun," Andrew said of her prospective career.

"It's fun to drive around with those big haul trucks."

The graduating students held their prom last weekend, and on Saturday some of the students from the class head to Toronto for a graduation trip that will mixeducation and celebration.

The students will visit some post-secondary institutions in the Toronto area, Andrew said.

"But it's also a fun trip, to celebrate what they've accomplished."

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