History is in the making at Fort la Reine School as the first-ever Grade 8 class prepares to graduate next month, marking a significant milestone for the community and the school’s evolution.
Janelle Neyron, the Grade 8 teacher, expressed deep admiration for her class, whom she's taught for the past two years.
"The bunch that I have is wonderful. I feel like I won the lottery. They're kind, respectful, and fun. I've really enjoyed my time with them, and I'm going to miss them a lot when they leave."
This class holds a unique place in the school's history because many of them have been there from kindergarten through to grade 8. For the past three years though, they've been the oldest students in the building, and trailblazers for what's now becoming a full K–8 school. Neyron emphasized the historical importance,
"They're kind of history makers. Most students can't say they've been the oldest in a school for three straight years."
Fort la Reine over the last 2 years has gone from a K to 6 school, to a K - 7 school and now this year a K to 8 school.
For students like Cassandra Beaton, the graduation is both personal and generational.
"My mom went here; my uncle coached my volleyball team this year and it's like almost all my family went here. I'm kind of happy I've been stuck here, even though I wanted to change schools. It's home."
Beaton hopes to be remembered by her classmates and teachers for her kindness and love for sports.
"People know me as the sports kind of girl, and for my laughter. Little kids come up and hug me all the time. That makes me happy."
Josiah Victor, another graduate, reflected on the significance of the milestone.
"It makes me feel pretty proud," he said.
One of his fondest memories was building pillow forts on pajama day in Grade 1. He credited his teacher Ms. Wing for instilling the value of kindness, something he wants to carry forward.
"Thank you for helping me turn into the person I am today," he wanted to say to his teachers.
Damien Anderson, who briefly left but returned to Fort la Reine, said the hardest part of graduating is leaving his younger brother behind.
"That's what I'm going to miss," he said. Looking ahead, Anderson dreams of becoming a mechanic.
Ryan Preston, who wants to be a technology programmer, remembered the fun he had in Mr. Metcalf's class. Though he doesn't know what legacy he'll leave behind, being part of the school's first graduating class has special meaning.
Layton Henry hopes to be remembered as a standout student-athlete.
"I was a player on the basketball, volleyball, and badminton teams, and a smart kid in all of our classes," he said proudly.
While he once aspired to join the military, he's now aiming to become a Twitch streamer with help from his dad. Henry shared a message for his many teachers over the years, "Thank you for helping me on my journey through life. I feel smarter than I used to."
For Neyron, the moment is bittersweet.
"They were my first group ever. They've taught me more than they'll ever know," she said. "We've built something special, and I'll carry this with me for the rest of my teaching career."
As Fort la Reine prepares to send its grade 8 graduates off to high school, their teachers and school community look back with pride, and forward with hope at the legacy this first Grade 8 class leaves behind.
