While Mother Nature forced Francophone students in Cornwall to put a small damper on their heritage celebrations Friday, there was nothing she could do about their spirit.
Students from Ecole secondaire l'Heritage and la Citadellle had planned to march through the city as part of Franco-Ontarian celebrations that happen annually at this time of year. But rain foreceast to start falling throughout the region forced parade organizers to change their plans.
Instead of parading around city streets, students were kept to the track on school property.
But that did little to keep Francophone pride from bursting through with some students.
"It's a way to show who we are and what it means for us to be French," said Melissa Hagen, a Grade 12 student at la Citadelle.
Her sentiments were shared by Kensie Watson.
"It makes us proud to be able to do this," she said. "It gives us a unique opportunity."
Students agreed the fact that the celebration is held just one day a year makes it more special.
"We should go all out to show who we are," said Hagen.
La Citadelle principal Julie Charland said cancelling the parade portion of the day's events was difficult, given the unpredictability of the weather pattern.
"It was a hard call to make," she said.
