How a one-teen prom on Newfoundland’s Northern Peninsula brought a community together

Breanna Bromley-Clarke may be the sole graduate of her all-grades school on Newfoundland's Northern Peninsula, but her prom helped bring many in her community together.

Breanna Bromley-Clarke may be the sole graduate of her all-grades school on Newfoundland’s Northern Peninsula, but her prom helped bring many in her community together.

The 18-year-old celebrated the end of her high-school years on May 2 in a pink dress she says was inspired by the main character of the Barbie movie. Its vibrant colour shone as Bromley-Clarke delivered her valedictory address at the Mary Simms All-Grade School in Main Brook.

In some ways, her event in the community five hours drive north of Corner Brook, N.L., was similar to graduations at larger schools across the province.

During the day, photographs were taken of the young woman in her stunning dress.

She proceeded to the gym, which was fully decorated, and roughly 85 guests sat down to a delicious meal. The valedictorian’s 10-minute speech included gratitude, memories and a description of plans to attend nursing school at the Memorial University campus in Corner Brook.

Bromley-Clarke even quoted from William Shakespeare’s character Brutus from the play “Julius Caesar:” “It’s not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves” — a line she learned while studying English in an online course offered by the provincial Education Department.

But Mayor Ian Brenton said in an interview Friday the local graduation ceremonies are major occasions for this community of about 200 people, which takes pride in each of the 16 students in the kindergarten to Grade 12 school.

“It brings the town together for a celebration of our youth and that’s an important thing,” said Brenton, who said he’s particularly proud of Bromley-Clarke, who over the past 12 years has raised about $45,000 for the Janeway children’s hospital in St. John’s, N.L.