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TUKTOYAKTUK - Tuktoyaktuk graduate Charles Lucas might tell you he is like any other teen from his community, but he is a role model.

Lucas was one of seven graduates from Mangilaluk school in Tuktoyaktuk. But while graduation is meant to celebrate the end of school, it doesn't mean Lucas has ended his schooling.

Recent Tuktoyaktuk graduate Charles Lucas has travelled to Africa and Canada's east coast. Now that he has completed high school he said he would like to study engineering. - Brodie Thomas/NNSL photo

"I'm looking at a career in engineering," he said outside the gym where he celebrated his big achievement with family and friends.

To get into engineering, he is first planing to attend Aurora College and then hoping to move on to the University of Alberta.

Dreaming big is nothing new for Lucas. While others might dream about going somewhere exotic like Africa, Lucas has already been there.

"I joined a program called Northern Youth Abroad and they give Northern students a chance to work in different places," said Lucas.

Northern Youth Abroad first sent Lucas to Nova Scotia for a summer to work on a farm. It was tough work at times, but it allowed him to see a different part of the country.

His experience with farm animals paid off when he went to Botswana in Africa. He spent his time there working on a game sanctuary.

"We helped them build a stadium for a festival they were having," said Lucas. While there he saw lots of wild animals, such as elephants, wild cats, hippos, and monkeys.

Although he enjoyed the animals, the construction work had more of an impression on Lucas, given his future plans. He can't say for certain what it is about engineering that interests him, but there is little doubt in his mind he will reach his goals.

As a recent grad, Lucas has already proven he can finish what he starts with hard work and determination. He said he encourages everyone to work hard towards getting a high school diploma.

"Finishing school is a great accomplishment and once you do that you can go anywhere in life," he said.