Yellowknife (May 10/06) - Two Yellowknife students hope to get $20,000 for their French knowledge.

Sponsored by the University of Ottawa and Canadian Parents for French (CPF), approximately 30-40 students from across Canada will take part in a French speech contest, May 27.

Representing the NWT are two students from the French immersion program at Sir John Franklin high school.

"Since I'm graduating this year, I wanted to celebrate all (the opportunities) French has given me," said Grade 12 student Alexandrea Malakoe.

As part of the immersion program, Malakoe went to France and Italy with her classmates over March break this year.

Malakoe said she enjoys public speaking and acting, and was recently involved in the Sir John play Romeo and Winifred.

Also competing from the NWT is 16-year-old Muna Shoblak.

Originally from Gatineau, Que., Shoblak considers herself a francophone Canadian. She hopes to do well so she can attend university in Ontario.

"I want to go to the University of Ottawa," said Shoblak.

There are five categories in the competition, with five $20,000 scholarships. Shoblak is looking to win in the francophone category, while Malakoe will participate in the late immersion category. Runners-up in each category will receive a $2,000 scholarship to the university.

Both girls said they love the French immersion program at Sir John.

"There's way less people in class," said Shoblak.

"You really form relationships with your teachers," added Malakoe.

The French immersion program at Sir John has more than 80 students enroled in Grades 9 through 12 and five staff members in the program, said principal Mieke Cameron.

"Our program is very strong here. The students learn language arts, social studies, math, chemistry, physics and biology in French," said Cameron.

Randy Patrick, president of the NWT branch of CPF, said the organization was happy to sponsor the students' travel expenses.

"It's a great event for the kids that are going," he said. "They get to practice the skills they learned in class at a high level."

Each girl has worked hard practising their speeches for the competition. Their plan is to practise at least three lunch hours a week at school, plus at home in front of family members.