Chippewa students to host special Remembrance Day ceremony

Story by Hayley Hoover/Special to BayToday.ca. Photo by Kate Adams

Chippewa students conducted final rehearsals today for a special Remembrance Day ceremony they're hosting in the school’s theatre Friday morning.

For weeks now students have been working on dramatic, musical and dance numbers to demonstrate what the day means to them. Faculty member Andrea Lefebvre says the ceremony is completely student driven and each department is approached to make submissions.

“We have junior representation, we have the French Immersion program represented, we have dance, drama, media arts, music … we try to bring as much as we can,” explains Lefebvre.

“Students are taking a lot of initiative on this assignment. It’s not even an assignment they will come up with ideas themselves at home and it’s interesting the songs they choose – the lyrics might not be something that we would think would tie to Remembrance Day until you really listen closely and the connection they’re finding and they’re looking for a different meaning in a unique way.”

Lefebvre says the school has put a service together for the past two years and it encompasses all the protocols of a Remembrance Day ceremony while introducing art based pieces such as dance, poetry and the music all chosen by students.

"The idea is that it is student made for students."

In the past students have attended the Remembrance Day Ceremony just down the road at Memorial Gardens in past, but the students are now looking for an interactive learning experience. Lefevbvre says it is a message that is readily received by all the students.

“All of our students show tremendous respect on this day.”

“I also think the respect is earned because they see their peers on stage as well so it’s a very supportive audience and a very respectful audience.’

“We do have a number of performers as well who are involved with a lot of local military and we have some fathers and mothers who are serving overseas right now so it is an emotional time for them too.”

Lefebvre says she hopes the students leave the ceremony with a sense of respect and understanding.

“I want them to leave with a sense of knowledge and history of the day.”

Grade nine student Mickenzie Shave, who has a father and step-father currently serving in the military, Remembrance day takes on a whole new meaning.

“My real dad went over to Afghanistan and like every day when he was there -- it makes you think like you look at the news and people are dying and you think what if that was him –- is he okay and every day you think that and it’s just heartbreaking to know that he’s over there.”

She says the emotions she experiences having parents currently serving brings a whole new appreciation for veterans who served in earlier conflicts.

“You just thank God they fought over there … some of them lost their lives and went through so much tragedy,” she explains.

“It gives me the understanding that they fought for our country and wow that’s why we’re here now.”