One of the smallest graduating classes at St. Joachim School in La Broquerie will be accepting its diplomas at the Parish Church in La Broquerie on Thursday, June 22 at 4 pm.

Principal Luc Bremault says the two Valedictorians representing their class are Roch Tetrault and Karine Dumesnil. He says he got to know the small class of 16 very well since he coached many of them in volleyball.

Bremault says there is a good mix of graduates continuing their education at universities in Manitoba as well as out of the province. Tetrault will be living on the UBC campus in British Columbia to pursue a Bachelor of Science and major in physics, while Dumesnil will commute to the University of St. Boniface for a Bachelor of Science, to major in microbiology and biochemistry with hopes of becoming a doctor.

Dumesnil says what made this graduating class special was their closeness to each other and their teachers. "We are unique and special because we have so many different talents, a little bit of everything, and I think that's how we get along so well. We are so close and we fit and connect like a family."

Tetrault says he will miss the small town connections while living in a busy city. "Although I am very excited to go to Vancouver, I will miss just being connected to the entire community. Our town is small so I kind of have a general idea of what's going on with everybody's lives, and everybody knows what's going on with my life. So I'll miss that sense of being connected to everybody in the community."

Bremault says he would like these graduates to aim for what they are passionate about. "I encourage them to keep pursuing their interests, but also their passions. I want them to find what makes them happy in life, and live out a satisfying life, and not to settle on second best."