May 16, 2008
School celebration looks beyond smashed windows
“The kids aren’t going to let anything stop them.”
Kugluktuk High School has something to celebrate.
No, it's not the long-promised repairs that school principal Gary Kennedy has been hoping to see on the school's many broken windows - but a celebration of the students who make this school worth fixing.
The school held its annual Grizzly banquet last Thursday, May 8, to recognize students who meet the Grizzlies' standards of living well, playing hard, and staying in school.
"The kids that have preserved throughout all this, the smashed windows, still continue to flourish and aren't going to let anything stop them," Kennedy said."
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Life as a Grizzly requires dedication to sports and good attendance at school. This mix produced outstanding results for the Grizzlies in table tennis, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, badminton and volleyball at 15 territorial, national and international games over the past year.
Travelling to these games, exchange trips, and special activities are among the perks Grizzlies can look forward to.
But to remain part of the program, Grizzlies must maintain an 80 per cent attendance record at school and steer clear of trouble.
At the May 9 end-of-school gala, Grizzly leaders, a mix of teachers and community members, handed out scholarships and awards.
The two top male athletes of the year were third-time winner Jeremy Hala and Ian Taptuna, young athletes who excel in soccer and other sports.
The two top female athletes are table-tennis, badminton and soccer player Katelyn Atatahak and Danielle Meyok, also an all-round athlete.
The Mike Johnston (Best Overall Grizzly) Award went to National Aboriginal Role model Shawn Kuliktana and Suzi Power, a Grade 8 student who "always puts a solid effort in," Kennedy said.
Healthy lifestyle awards went to Shanice Kamingoak and Myles Pedersen.
Pedersen became a father this year, Kennedy said, showing that it's possible to continue studies and take on new responsibilities.
Students who received recognition for their high attendance record included Edward Havioyak, Kendra Bolt, James Bolt, Ikey Bolt and Shanice Kamingoak who turned up at school nearly every day.
Donations from northern companies, Inuit organizations, government and fundraising activities make up the Grizzlies' Kugluktuk High School Athletics Association's $400,000 budget.
Part of this year's money came from the National Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative, which helped underwrite a summer sports camp and a Saturday sports camp, organized by the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies, the largest youth employer in town, also operate the Grizzly Den arcade, canteens and sell their own line of clothing.
While the Grizzlies help maintain morale in the school, its physical structure is still falls short.
Kennedy said various Government of Nunavut employees have told him repairs due to vandalism and wear-and-tear are "unacceptable" and at the "top of list."
But to date he hasn't seen any work.
"More empty promises," Kennedy said. "I hear what they're saying but I don't see anything happening."
Kennedy plans to give Nunavut's education minister, Ed Picco, a tour of the high school when he arrives May 23 for graduation ceremonies.
