Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Repulse Bay (Oct 11/00) - Donna Crawford will officially make history Oct. 18 in Repulse Bay.

Crawford, 21, will receive her high school diploma -- the first awarded in the community -- at the Tusarvik school gym.

Leonie Aissaoui, a former principal and current teacher at the school, says Crawford's graduation is a historic moment.

"Some students from Repulse Bay went to Rankin Inlet and graduated, but this is our first student to complete her high school education in Repulse," says Aissaoui.

Aissaoui adds a number of things helped contribute to Crawford's success.

She was able to earn a bit of income from her work at the Repulse airport during school and was encouraged by her family.

"(Crawford) started the initial program in 1995 and quit after the teachers who were working with her at the time left Repulse Bay.

"She was very close with them and took their departure hard. She missed them so badly she didn't want to return the year after."

But Crawford return to the program and eventually earned the credits for her high school diploma.

School staff hope Crawford's graduation will open the door for more students.

Repulse's high school program started with older students and the school kept losing them to pregnancy, marriage and employment.

Crawford was the only student to stick with it and Aissaoui says she is an excellent role model for others.

"The hamlet here is very good for encouraging kids to stay in school.

"When they have jobs available, they give them to students who stick with the program. Donna started work there a couple of weeks ago."

Considering college

Crawford will be presented with official gifts at her graduation by hamlet council, Tusarvik school and the local DEA.

The entire community has been invited.

"We want this to be a big event," says Aissaoui. "Donna is making history."

Crawford says the toughest part of high school was finishing the exams.

Although looking for full-time work as a high-school graduate, she's also thinking about post-secondary education.

"I'm thinking about going to university," says Crawford.

"I'm very interested in teaching and think that would be a great job."

Crawford wants other students to know the hard work is worth the effort.

"I'm really looking forward to the graduation ceremony, but I'm also a little nervous. I know all my friends and family are going to be there, so I'm really excited."