BAKER LAKE - While most of the Kivalliq spilled into the streets to celebrate Canadian gold in men's hockey on the last day of the Olympics, students and educators in Baker Lake started celebrating the Olympic spirit right from the beginning.

Vice-principal Jimmy Qaqqaq, elder Simon Tookoomee and principal Bill Cooper, from left, share a moment with the Olympic torch at Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School in Baker Lake in February of 2010. - photo courtesy of Craig Vincent

Every home room at Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School (JASS) produced an Olympic-themed flag depicting countries and various styles of torches. The flags were unveiled during a parade into the gym for a special Olympic opening amidst a ton of hype on a red-and-white day at the school.

Elder Simon Tookoomee, who ran with the Olympic torch in Iqaluit, was also present at the gathering.

School principal Bill Cooper said staff members talked to the students about true Olympic spirit. He said they spoke about what the Olympics represent in terms of leadership, character development and the spirit of human endeavour.

"We used the Olympic experience to blend in the character and positive environment we want to see in all our schools," said Cooper.

"The Olympic ideal is the human ideal. The message was well received because you could have heard a pin drop in the gym during the event."

Various anthems were played before Tookoomee told the students of his feelings while an Olympic torch bearer.

The event also featured throatsinging and a drum dance as a nod to the Olympics being as much about culture as sport.

The gathering came to a close with everyone reciting the Olympic oath. The JASS students also borrowed the slogan of "I Believe" during their Olympic celebrations.

Cooper said Canada winning medals was definitely a part of that, but there was much, much more.

"Athletics and our Baker Lake Youths Athletics Association have had a really positive influence on many of our students.

"And that's not just all about our gym-centred athletics or hockey, but, rather, about getting youth involved in whatever activity they choose.

"So, it's really the whole inspiration that surrounds these sorts of things, whether it's a hockey tournament or the Olympics themselves."

Cooper said teachers, educators and youth workers don't want to rest on their laurels. He said they want to believe they can do incredible things with their kids.

"If we believe in them, they'll believe in themselves.

"So, we kind of borrowed the I Believe slogan to tie into that."