In the community of Tl’etinqox, just over an hour west of Williams Lake, five students are celebrating a particularly special graduation.
“We’ve been excited about it for a while,” said Kris Hance about his school’s first ever graduation. At the age of 15, Hance is not only counted among the school’s first graduates - he is also his class's youngest graduate and co-valedictorian.
“We’ve spent hours talking about it, just talking about the technicalities of the graduation."
With a total student population today of about 60, Tl’etinqox school has traditionally taught students from Kindergarten to Grade 6, after which children had to leave their community to complete their schooling.
In the past, School District 27 hosted students from remote areas in dormitories at Columneetza school in Williams Lake. Today, students who continue to travel to the city for schooling stay with boarding parents. This means students as young as 12, perhaps younger if they were ahead in their education, would have to be far from the people, places and communities they know in order to get a high school diploma.
“If you’re switching schools, you’d be starting over socially,” Hance said. “It’s nice to have the constant people around.”
This moment has been building for at least seven years, when the school’s former Principal Clayton Grice, former Vice-Principal Colin Cook and other staff and community members came together to make graduation at home possible.
“It’s been a very long process,” said Cook who is now principal of the school. “When you’re growing a Grade 12 program it really is growing a Grade 12 program.”
With the vision of developing a fully functioning K-12 school in their community, Tl’etinqox has been introducing a new grade to the school each year the 2025 graduating class advanced beyond Grade 6.
“Now that we have this framework, going forward we’ll be able to have a new graduating class each year after this,” Cook said.
Hance said the school has improved a lot since this plan was set in motion, with staff always seeking funding to be able to offer the best to the students of Tl'etinqox.
“They’re very proactive in funding...they also indulge our random wants,” Hance said, explaining how the students are encouraged to express and pursue their interests so the staff can find the necessary resources and support to work towards their goals.
The students have access to a 3D printer, photography equipment and quality Apple products to help them in their studies and projects, and they also benefit from one-on-one support.
“Especially since we have such a small class, since there’s five graduates, we’re all able to get the education we need,” Hance said. Described by his former educators as an intelligent, ambitious and determined individual, Hance skipped grades four and nine, graduating even before he could get a driver’s license.
"The realization and excitement kind of mounted over time,” he said about being part of the school’s first graduating class. During his valedictorian speech, Hance thanked all the people who helped him along the way, including his friends, family and cats.
“It wouldn't have been possible without Clayton's hard work setting up the foundation for my success, along with Colin and Randy's guidance, so I'd like to thank you three mostly for that” Hance said. He wished his classmates happiness wherever life takes them; for him, that will be the University of British Columbia in Vancouver where he will study Computer Science.
Hance’s co-valedictorian Aaron Jim, who will be attending UBC in the Okanagan come the fall, shared one of the greatest lessons he’s learned over the years.
“Failure is a part of the process,” Jim said. “I've realized that you just need to try. Whether you fail or succeed isn't the important part, it's the trying, it's the growth.”
He shared memories as examples, such as the time he and his fellow graduate Jadikka Johnny tried snails while in Europe and finding they liked it, and the time he and Marlon Case attended volleyball camp, a difficult but rewarding experience.
“Success is not defined by just grades – success is when you feel like you did it, when you feel like you succeeded,” Jim said. “I was asked what I hope our legacy would be as a first graduating class. I don't know about a legacy; all I want is for people to be able to see themselves in our spot – it is possible.”
With over 130 friends, family and community members present to witness the school’s first graduation on Thursday, June 11, the five graduates had a truly special conclusion to their time at school.
The school’s Grade 3 and 4 class, led by educator Jen Stump, performed their debut as the drum group Tsinen ?esqax or Children of the Cliffs. They drummed and sang several old songs that are being revived by the community and are eager to continue on their journey as a drum group.
The graduates’ educators shared memories, advice and thank yous, highlighting each student's kindness, curiosity, respect and leadership.
“Your voices, your spirit, your curiosity and the mark of your kindness will ripple through these halls...They're woven now into the fabric of the school's history,” said the school’s Vice Principal Randy Grice who also teaches senior students at the school.
Former principal Clayton Grice described both graduates Jadikka Johnny and Zava Dick as having a wonderful sense of humour. He attributed the words ‘reflection’ to Johnny, ‘honesty’ to Dick and ‘determination’ to Hance. When speaking of Marlon Case, Grice described his perseverance and kindness. As for Jim, Grice spoke of his beaming smile, his caring and respectful character and natural, quiet leadership.
Along with words shared by the community’s chief Dale Hance, one of the community’s representatives on the Tsilhqot'in Women’s Council Cynthia Dick and their past teacher Jen Stump, the graduates enjoyed a drum song and powwow dance from community members before they handed off their stoles to next year's graduating class.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the students and the work they’ve done,” said Cook in an interview with Black Press following the ceremony. “It’s exceptionally difficult to do something for the first time and the fact that they’ve done that just speaks volumes to the work and dedication they’ve put in.”
The ceremony concluded with a dinner in the school, the graduates surrounded by the community, friends and mentors who have led them to this moment.
Eight other students from the community of Tl'etinqox are graduating from schools outside of the community including Lacie Billyboy, Abbigale Dick, Montana Hance, Lexi Mueller, Hope Johnny, Timothy Hance, Nevaeh Jewett and Marissa Billiboy.
