Vanier Catholic Secondary School's grad class of 2014 added some "whimsy” to the traditional cap and gown ceremony Saturday when many chose to sport bright rainbow socks.

"That was a surprise,” principal Ryan Sikkes said this morning.

"It caught a lot of eye.”

He added he didn't want to speculate on why most of the 81 graduates chose the attire.

While he noted it was a decision obviously planned out by the students and not one he wanted to make any suggestions on, others around town have commented the move was made in support of the school's Gay Straight Alliance group.

Whatever the reason, Sikkes said, it was neat to see the students add the rainbow socks to the grad wear Saturday.

Throughout the ceremony at Yukon College, students heard messages from the likes of Premier Darrell Pasloski and other speakers that they are the leaders of the future on the local, national and even international fronts.

Sikkes said he hopes that during their time at Vanier, they've developed the necessary skills, values and ethics to make the best decisions as they head out on their own journeys into the world.

He said he's been privileged to have worked with much of the grad class from the time they were in Grades 8 or 9.

He's pleased to now see a tightly-knit group full of critical thinkers who have a strong sense of social justice.

"They're a wonderful group,” he said, noting his excitement to see how Vanier's class of 2014 will contribute to the world.

As each graduate gets set for the next stage of their lives, Sikkes said, the journeys are all different.

While some students will head Outside for the first year of what they intend to be an eight- or nine-year course of studies in a chosen career, others are opting for other life experience, taking time off from the school environment, Sikkes said.

For many, regardless of the direction they choose, it means saying good-bye to the routine and friends they've known for 12 years or longer.

Sikkes counted himself fortunate to know the students for the past five years, but he noted student speakers Sadie Pater and Joe Wallingham reflected on a much longer journey in their speeches.

Many of the graduating students, he said, have been together in class since Kindergarten.

Pater's and Wallingham's speeches reflected on all the help and assurances that have come from their families and school staff over the years.

Pater and Wallingham were selected as this year's speakers through a process which includes input from students and staff. They are asked to select individuals who could best articulate the feelings of the grad class.

As Sikkes noted, while school marks are a factor in deciding who will speak at the ceremony, the decision largely focuses on who are well-rounded, strong leaders in the school community. Both Pater and Wallingham fit that bill.

While the cap and gown ceremony is seen as officially marking graduation, the weekend was marked with many more events to celebrate the accomplishments of the 81 students.

On Friday, the students had their larger group photo together with a rehearsal for the grand march during school hours.

That was followed by a special evening mass and then a tea and reception in the school's cafeteria.

Saturday began with the cap and gown ceremony before the evening's celebrations, which saw the grand march. Also included were toasts and thank-you speeches for the class of 2014.

Graduates then cut loose with a dance, followed by a Dead Simple concert and hypnotist show in a party which ran into the early-morning hours where food was served at 1 a.m. and a draw was held for prizes at 3 a.m.