Arviat's Edith and Amanda Pingushat, right, edit their pictures for the photography category in the Skills Canada Nunavut competition in Iqaluit this past month. - photo courtesy of Gord Billard |
Arviat cranks up the skill level
Students land 10 medals at territorial competition
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, May 14, 2014
ARVIAT
Students from John Arnalukjuak High School (JAHS) in Arviat put in a strong showing at the ninth annual Skills Canada Nunavut territorial competition in Iqaluit this past month.
Arviat sent 12 students to the competition accompanied by skill coaches Vayda Kaviok (baking), Steve Penney (photography), Samantha Penney (prepared speech), Gord Billard (TV/Video production) and Annette Atkinson (cosmetology).
In addition to 10 medals won, three JAHS students qualified for the 2014 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) to be held at the International Centre in Toronto, Ont., June 4 to 7.
Representing Arviat at the event will be Terri Angalik in baking, Hattie Pameolik in prepared speech and Amanda Pingushat in photography.
The SCNC attracts more than 500 youth from across the country and is the only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices in Canada.
The event features more than 40 categories in skilled trades and technology, and the 2014 competition is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors.
The Arviat students set to attend the national event are brimming with excitement, and a bit of apprehension, at the thought of taking on some of Canada's youthful best in their field.
Angalik, Grade 10, said she only began to take baking seriously this year.
She said once she began to realize how into it she was starting to get, she set her sights on the territorial.
"I really enjoyed the competition in Iqaluit because I like baking now, and I'm all ready looking forward to next year because it will be the 10th anniversary of Skills Canada in Nunavut," said Angalik.
"When I looked at what the others were baking, I was thinking we're better in what we do in Arviat.
"But I was surprised to get selected for the national, because it was just my first time at the territorial.
"I'm nervous and excited, and it's probably going to be a lot bigger and scarier when I get there."
Pameolik, Grade 10, said her teacher, Samantha Penney, got her involved with prepared speech.
She said Penney helps her prepare the speech and she works a lot on presenting it.
"At first, I couldn't speak in front of my own mom," said Pameolik with a shy giggle.
"But, after awhile, doing it for mom helped me.
"I was nervous doing my speech in Iqaluit, so I looked at everyone's shoulders instead of their face so I wouldn't get distracted, and I slowed myself down a few times when I knew I was talking too fast.
"I'll be doing the same speech in Toronto. I won gold with in Iqaluit, but I have no idea what to expect and I get scared thinking about it."
Pingushat, Grade 12, said she started getting into photography about two years ago and has grown to really like editing her photos.
She said she has fun taking pictures, and enjoys photographing both people and landscapes.
"I enjoy (photographing) people more, I guess, if I had to pick, but I like both," said Pingushat.
"This was my second time at Nunavut Skills, and I was happy to win my first gold medal and be selected to the national for the first time.
"I'm a little nervous because I think it's going to be really professional in Toronto.
"They don't tell you what you have to take photos of until you're there, and that makes me a bit more nervous."
Amber Kadjuk, Grade 10, took gold at Iqaluit in aesthetics (cosmetology), but it isn't represented at the national event.
Kadjuk said the only reason she ended up in the after-school course was because her friend talked her into it.
She said it was only a couple of months ago when she started liking what she was doing, and realized she was pretty good at it.
"Applying makeup on other people just seemed to become fun all of a sudden," said Kadjuk.
"I try to get a sense of what the person wants and if they don't wear makeup much at all, I have to know that.
"If I apply dark makeup on someone who doesn't usually wear it, they won't like it.
"So, I have to start asking questions to get a good sense of what's going to work more for them."
Kadjuk said she's thinking about sticking with aesthetics after she graduates, but she hasn't made up her mind just yet.
She said there's still lots of time ahead of her.
"The territorial was a lot of fun and I really liked it.
"It was a bit scary at first, but I got used to it.
"Ours is actually the only school in Nunavut doing this right now, and I'd like to see more get involved.
"You have to be very creative to do this well, and it makes me happy when someone's pleased with my work."
