‘This is one of the most important moments in some of our lives’: N.S. students plead for graduation ceremonies
As graduation season approaches, students in Nova Scotia are hoping to celebrate their success with loved ones.
But the province's top doctor told students Friday to hit the brakes.
Emily Krupay, a Grade 12 student in Truro, is pleading with the province to let her school have a special drive-in graduation ceremony.
"This is one of the most important moments in some of our lives, and it just feels harsh to get it stripped away from us," says Krupay.
To her knowledge, Krupay says the event was successful in 2020 and doesn't understand why the province denied it this year, espescially since students are back in class, and drive-in movie theatres are operating.
But Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, has concerns.
"It's too big of a risk for us to take at this point. Given some of the experience that we had with some of the 'so-called' drive-in ceremonies last year, that's why I mention the 'drive-past,' where you have the graduates seated and people and everyone else is in their cars driving past, as a model they may want to look at," he said during Friday's news briefing.
That's exactly what is planned for graduates in Liverpool, N.S. after the community held a similar event last year.
"They'll all be six feet apart, sitting in their grad gowns, ready to see their family and friends come by, toot their horns, holler at them and celebrate them," said Deborah Raddall, a parent and event organizer.
Opposition leader Tim Houston says the province should provide clear guidelines for community-based committees working to organize grad events.
"Even some of the language, of potentially penalizing this year's grads maybe because of the actions of last year's grads, that doesn't make sense to me," said Houston, Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative leader.
"Let's have common sense. It's high school graduation, be very clear on what's acceptable, they'll plan to it."
The province says school-based grad events are separate from any other celebrations that are held in the community. Many schools will hand out diplomas on an appointment-based approach, similar to last year.
"So you have to pick a time and you get three minutes with your parents, to come grab your diploma and leave," says Krupay.
She says that's not enough, and she will continue to push the province for a safe celebration.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Person engulfed in flames outside N.Y. courthouse where Trump trial underway, says CNN
A person was covered in flames outside the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, CNN reported on Friday.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.