Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During the week of August 1 to 3 École Sir John Franklin High School will be hosting a homecoming in celebration of 50 years of service to Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories.
Sir John Franklin High School and Akaitcho Hall opened and settled into their annual routines in 1958 and quickly became an important part of our life in Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories.
In 1962–63 both needed to be expanded in order to accommodate unexpected demand. After Yellowknife was declared the capital of the NWT in 1967, another major expansion was required in order to address the increase in the number of students. In 1981 the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre and its 300 seats took over the original gymnasium. In 1982 the school began welcoming international students under the AFS banner and has been hosting eight students every year since then. In 1994 Akaitcho Hall officially closed as more schools were constructed in smaller communities throughout the North. In 1999, after 40 years, the school went through a major renovation, which incorporated modern technology and made it a state-of-the-art education facility.
Plans are well underway for a weekend celebration. It’s an opportunity to reminisce and catch up with everyone and anyone who has had a connection with Sir John Franklin High School since 1958, including teachers, staff and students — including a number of MLAs who have gone through this Assembly, both current and previous — and friends. Technically, this isn’t a reunion of graduates but, rather, a celebration of education, and everyone is welcome.
The celebration will kick off with a meet-and-greet on Friday, August 1, 2008, starting at 7 p.m. It will be followed by musical presentations by current and past alumni and a dinner and dance during the evening of August 2. To wrap things up, there will be an afternoon picnic on Sunday, August 3, at Fred Henne, complete with water sports, campfires and plenty of sharing of history and memories.
Tickets are available for the homecoming through YK1 Board Office, École Sir John Franklin High School, Weaver and Devore, Overlander Sports, JJ Hobbies, and committee members themselves. To get more information and get involved, contact the committee at @email or visit their web site at www.sirjohn50.com. As a graduate of École Sir John Franklin High School 19 years ago, I encourage all alumni and those connected to the school to come out and share in the memories.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Robert McLeod.
