May 31 was a special day for the dozens of Aurora College graduates who got to attend their graduation ceremony.
Taking place at the third floor of the Chateau Nova, two students, Danielle Heslin and Breanna Mandeville, got a little more than their expected degree or certificate though.
In addition to her new degree, Heslin was named the winner for clinical excellence. She got plaque to hold on to, though she added she doesn't get to keep it.
She said she didn't know she would be named for it.
"It's lovely to get some acknowledgement. They have to narrow it down to one person and we all tried our best," said Heslin. "Lots of people did great and I'm sure it was hard for them to narrow it down."
Heslin said she'll plow ahead now working as a nurse. What makes nursing important to her, she explained, is its ability to give back.
"It's a very gratifying job, it's a very beneficial job. You see how it helps people every day and it's important because healthcare, in the North especially, is in real need of people who will stick around and who will help out because hospital systems aren't getting any better."
Mandeville has a similar story. She not only got her certificate, but also the Avens Sheila Broders Award. It's in recognition of outstanding achievements of an individual currently enroled in the Aurora College School of Health and Human Services.
Much like Heslin, Mandeville never saw it coming.
"I had no idea they were going to present a plaque," she chuckled. "I was really surprised. I wasn't expecting my name to be called."
Mandeville also got her personal support worker certificate. What got her into it, she said, was also her interest in helping other people.
In June, Mandeville said she'll begin working at Avens as a resident care aide taking care of elders and people who struggle performing personal care on their own.
The graduation ceremony was one of two on the day. Before the nursing and personal support workers had their moment, those in business administration, office administration, early learning and child care, environment and natural resources technology, and the certificate in adult education program were feted in a morning ceremony.
The North Slave Campus was the first to send its grads off into the world. Next up will be the Thebacha Campus on June 7 starting at 1 p.m. at the Salt River First Nation Business & Conference Centre, while the Aurora Campus in Inuvik will have its ceremony on June 14 at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex starting at 3 p.m.
The school is expecting 140 graduates from 19 communities.