Yellowknife (Dec 12/03) - Two Yellowknife students have a wad of extra cash on their hands thanks to their choice to pursue careers in telecommunications in the North.

Samuel Bourget and Lisa Harrison (no photo available), both of Yellowknife, found out in November they had each earned $2,500 Northwestel scholarships.

"I'll be able to relax more about funding this year," said Samuel Bourget.

Bourget is studying computer engineering at the University of Alberta and plans to use the money for tuition and rent.

Harrison is studying telecommunications technology at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary.

The St. Patrick high school grad qualified for the scholarship partly because of the leadership he showed teaching Karate at the Goju Ryu Dojo in Yellowknife.

The Northwestel Northern Futures Scholarship Program supports students studying telecommunications technology, computer science, engineering and business administration/commerce.

"It shows they care about what happens with students," Bourget said.