Ponoka Secondary Campus held modified Remembrance Day observances on Friday, Nov. 6, showing a pre-recorded video in classrooms and holding a symbolic candle lighting ceremony.
The video opened with a Grade 7 class singing O Canada, and Grade 8 students Keyana Rawji and McKenna Avery reciting their original poem “Remembrance Day.”
A nine-minute presentation “Return to Vimy” by Denis McCready was show.
The school’s Hall of Valour re-inductee this year was Pte. Oliver Mardon Tulk.
The video also played Last Post for four minutes.
Every night at 8 p.m., the gates to the city of Ypres are closed and the traffic is stopped to honour all of those who fought and died in and around the Ypres Salient.
The Broncs World Tour has participated in this ceremony since 2009.
Ava Morency, Grade 7, read “In Flanders Fields” and Hayley Wiancko, Grade 11, recited the Pledge of Remembrance.
Candle bearers then gathered in the hallways, to pass a flame from candle to candle, symbolizing the passing of the torch, until the flame reached the school’s Hall of Valour, which is dedicated to wartime remembrance.
The first candle bearer was Const. Goss, representing the Government of Canada.
Silence was observed during the passing of the torch.
Students were invited to place a poppy on the cross of sacrifice as they exited the school at the end of the day.