Portage Collegiate Institute started a series of three school days dedicated to flag-raising ceremonies. They were slated to begin Wednesday, but that was postponed, putting the three days until Monday.

So far (Friday), 19 flags were hoisted and PCI now has the highest national representation it's ever had. Each flag represents at least one student from that nation, and their families were invited to come and take part.

Zachary Caners is a student who helped in the program and says it was a great honour.

"It means a lot to our community and all the people that are a part of it. We're just helping as part of our leadership class."

Jordan Reddaway likewise lent her hand and added, "It's really special. Seeing all these families so happy to put up their flags and everything, it just helps. You feel happy for them because you just see them smiling and happy. It's just amazing."

Local Immigration Partnership Program Coordinator Mitch Tilk was also on hand and explained it is significant to see the flags of all the nations represented.

"You just don't realize how many diverse perspectives are available to us, even just in our high school, while seeing some of the flags. I work in immigration and I'm a little bit ashamed to admit I didn't recognize some of the flags as they were going up. It's good to have this as a visible way of demonstrating the amount of diversity that we have in our community. It kind of goes on unnoticed, even from people who are aware of all the things happening in our sector."

Sandibel Salcedo was there to help raise the Mexican flag. She notes it touched her quite powerfully.

"You know what? My heart was pumping so hard and I was in tears because this was the first time I had raised the flag. I've never done it, especially in Canada. It's very emotional. I've been here for 14 years, almost 14, and I love Portage. It's such a nice town; small, and you get to know everybody real quick. I like it here."

Principals from the other schools in the Division were invited to come and likewise take part. Yellowquill School principal Darryl Patterson says the effort is excellent.

"This one started last year and it's great to see the kids raising their country's flag. A family friend of ours was raising a flag here today. That was special and our community's becoming a lot more diverse even in the last five years. It's great to see."

He adds Mayor Sharilyn Knox was there too, and mentioned Salcedo's eyes tearing up, and adds she had a few tears, as well.

"We're seeing diversity in schools and the conversations that kids are having, sharing their culture, has been enlightening. It makes schools a really neat place to be. Yesterday (Wednesday), we were supposed to have Doyle Moar, principal of Crescentview, here, but the lightning and the storm had to postpone it. So, they'll go on Monday. Tracy Vanstone, Principal of École Arthur Meighen, will be Friday's speaker."

École Arthur Meighen Principal Tracy Vanstone spoke at Friday's event and added it's of utmost importance to her, and noted she spoke about the connections that she's made with families across the world and how it's touched her as a school leader and impacted her leadership. 

PCI Principal Lawrence MacKenzie adds, "I think that more than ever, it's a great way to recognize the diversity in our schools, in our division, in our community, and to celebrate what all these newcomers to Portage are bringing to our community. PCI is just proud to be able to host such an event and recognize all of our different students and the diversity in our schools."

Ruby Linklater was there on behalf of Treaty 1 First Nations and was with her daughters, Tiana Thomas, Kasha Thomas. and Juliana Thomas, and her son Tian Thomas. 

"We're we're here to raise the flag for the First Nations. North Memorial School asked us to come raise it and to bring along my kids. I decided to get some skirts for us because that's our tradition. We have the First Nation flag for all nations, and then there's also Dakota Tipi's flag. I've decided to personally raise the First Nation because I'm not from Dakota Tipi. I'm actually from South Indian Lake, Manitoba. I came from afar. And then these, my little ones, are from Long Plain Reserve and also Cross Lake Reserve."

Tianna adds, "I'm just glad that I'm here to watch my mom."

Syria was represented by Mohammed, Yusuf, and Abuti Alhoulani.

Yusuf, Abuti, and Mohammad AlhoulaniYusuf, Abuti, and Mohammed Alhoulani

Yusuf said, "It's very good to see the flag here. It looks special and is something good to see here in Canada."

Mohammed added, "It's a very nice country, Canada. We do like Canada. We learned here and we can be graduates this year; me and my brother. We're very happy."