Mount Sentinel students push on with makeshift grad celebrations
Still no further information why graduation was cancelled due to, 'specific and targeted threat'
Some students of Mount Sentinel school in B.C.'s South Slocan pushed on with homemade grad celebrations after their school was evacuated Friday due to a "specific and targeted threat," according to police.
"I practiced my speech, I went through the final run through and an hour and half two hours later to find out that it was not going to be a reality," said co-valedictorian Kyle Chernenkoff. "It was a shock for all ... disappointing for sure."
Police have yet to explain why the school was evacuated Friday, while the school's website says an update will come on Sunday.
The message also asks that parents, "continue to be vigilant with regard to any grad activities, parties or events where students may congregate this weekend."
Despite the cryptic message and uncertainty, several students held their own celebrations with their families at their homes on Saturday.
"We've been waiting for 13 years for this," said Chernenkoff's father Phil. "Unfortunately things didn't go as well as planned."
"We don't know all the details but we have to believe that they were in our best interests not to proceed with grad as planned."
Peter Kobald danced with his daughter in her red grad dress on a residential street to mark her graduation while they wait to find out when the real one can take place.
"We are still in the dark ... just like everybody, we are all very curious," said Kobald. "That's kind of a big problem, why they couldn't provide a little more information, other than that, you do what you have to do."
Officials said Friday that they understand the impact the cancellation has on the 58 graduating students and their families. They are still deciding whether to open the school on Monday, the last day of the year and if to reschedule graduation.
With files from Angela Sterritt