Merging my roles of Art Teacher and Pro Photographer didn’t happen until after 10 years of teaching at Pender Harbour Secondary. For whatever reason something finally shifted and I began documenting the grade 12 students while they waited to be called into the gymnasium for the graduation ceremony. Out of the dingy hallway they go, two by two, all fancy and dressed up. In the Pender tradition each Graduate is accompanied down the runway by a ‘Candle Lighter’, usually a friend from grade 11, or perhaps a sibling of family member. Upon reaching the stage and turning towards the crowd for photographs, the Graduate gives a candle to their Candle Lighter and they both take their seats. Onwards the ceremony goes: speeches and the giving of certificates, the announcing of bursaries, bestowing of eagle feathers, and well wishing.

Everyone comes out for the event. At times the community of Pender is a little shy on cultural events, so this afternoon ceremony at the end of June is a highlight of sorts. Even Lynn DeGuire, whose kids have long graduated and whose grandkids have started to, wouldn’t miss coming. She’s bound to know lots of people, as is the way with small towns.

Down the highway a half hour to Sechelt and there they do things somewhat differently. Students stick to the cap and gown; any need for dressing up happens for them a month earlier at Prom. But as with Pender, they too wait to be called in, standing in the hall outside the gym in alphabetical order. Chatelech is a bigger school; bigger gym, longer ceremony. I think I saw Lynn DeGuire there too.