Iqaluit (Sep 22/03) - For a woman who plans on dedicating much of her life to helping others, it's extra special when someone reaches out a hand to her.

That is what it felt like for Lily Amagoalik, 26, who hails from Iqaluit, and was one of five nursing students who recently received the Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship in Nursing, worth $2,500.

"It'll help in many ways," the young mother and student said, holding her four-month old son Peter in her arms while she took a break from classes at Nunavut Arctic College last week.

"I have four kids," she said, "so you can imagine."

This is the first year the Department of Health and Social Services handed out this award, which is meant to inspire and support beneficiaries pursuing a nursing career.

Amagoalik, who was recognized for excellence in academic achievement, said she always wanted to be a nurse.

The nursing workload has been heavy at times, especially with her young ones at home to care for, too: Joanasie, 9, David Jr. 5, Alyssa, 2, and Peter.

But it has been easier thanks to her common-law husband, David Kolola.

"I have a really wonderful common-law husband," she said. "He's been helping me a lot."

From long hours of study, to 12-hour shifts at the hospital which she completed last semester, Amagoalik is looking forward to graduating next April, and possibly heading out to a small community to work.

These days, when she is not studying and taking care of her children, she fields questions from curious friends about what nursing school is like.

"I tell them it's really interesting," she said with a warm smile. "Especially in fourth year. It looked like it was going to be a really long journey in the beginning," she added. "But it's gone by really fast. It's incredible how fast it's gone by."

The other scholarship recipients this year were Rebecca Lonsdale, Susie Pearce (Year 1), Sipporah Peterloosie (Year 2), and Asenath Idlout (Year 3).