LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - A Fort Simpson mother has reached her goal of graduating from high school, thanks to the Internet.

After her second child was born last year, Leanna Cazon, 25, completed her Grade 12 courses online.

Leanna Cazon stands in Fort Simpson with her one-year-old daughter, Brooklyn Cazon-Martineau. Cazon received her high school diploma last month, which she earned through correspondence while taking care of her two kids at home. - Tim Edwards/NNSL photo

"It's really good to have, I'm really happy," said Cazon.

She finished her courses in June with an 86 per cent average and received her diploma on Sept. 23.

"I was waiting and waiting for my diploma, and the day I called them to ask them 'where is it?' I went and checked the mail and it was there in a parcel."

Cazon said she'd finished up to Grade 11 at Thomas Simpson School as a teenager, but then had her first child and wasn't able to juggle going to classes every day and taking care of him.

Now, older, and with the option to do the courses over the Internet, Cazon has been able to buckle down and get it done.

However, she said it was still a challenge.

"My son was in kindergarten, so I had to take him to and pick him up from kindergarten, and then on top of housework and then having Brooklyn," she said.

Her common law husband, Jeremiah Martineau, was also able to help out sometimes. Cazon said he's been very supportive.

"He's really proud of me," said Cazon.

"My mom too. She kept pushing me and pushing me, telling me to do it. When I had Brooklyn she told me 'why don't you do it when she's small? When she's sleeping.' So I did that and eventually finished it," said Cazon.

Cazon said when she was 16, her mom promised her a new car if she got her high school diploma.

"I bug her about that all the time," Cazon said with a laugh.

Cazon started the courses initially in September 2006 through the Stratford Career Institute's correspondence course, but really got into it last year and finished it off.

Now, Cazon intends to take her education further.

The life-long Fort Simpson resident plans to apply for the social work program at the Yukon College in Whitehorse. If accepted she will take her family with her to the Yukon.