TUKTOYAKTUK
Samuel Gruben's friends and neighbours know he is always there to lend a hand.

Samuel Gruben, a Grade 12 student at Mangilaluk School, has already earned all 25 of the community service credits he needs to graduate by helping elders in Tuktoyaktuk. - photo courtesy of Samuel Gruben

The Grade 12 student at Mangilaluk School has dedicated so much of his time to helping others over the years, he has already earned the 25 community service hours needed to qualify for graduation from high school.

It's the community's elders who benefit the most from Gruben's help, especially after it snows.

"I've just been helping out the community by either shovelling snow or helping the elders move some stuff around when they need help," he said. "When I see them in need of help, I just go help them."

Gruben's work not only makes life a little bit easier for people in his community, it gives him a boost of positivity.

"It's just the benefit of feeling great when you're helping someone," he said. "You feel good about yourself."

Physical activity is important to Gruben. He's one of the founding members of Tuk Power, a youth group dedicated to physical fitness.

Gruben, a friend and an RCMP officer started the group in the RCMP garage, he said.

"We were bored and started working out," he said. "We started out in the garage."

Now in its third year, around 25 people have joined the fitness club, "depending on who is in town," said the teen.

Since then, the group has outgrown its original home and is now located at the Mangilaluk School gym.

"We had to move somewhere bigger," Gruben explained.

Participants work out together, doing everything from cardio exercises to weight lifting.

"We're just pushing our bodies to the limit," he said.

Staying in shape keeps him disciplined and gives him the confidence to face life's challenges - both physically and mentally, Gruben said.

"When you're in trouble with doing something hard in life, you know you're able to do it because you're quite fit," he said.

"It's for a more healthier lifestyle, too."

In addition to working out, Gruben said he enjoys playing sports, especially hockey and basketball.

Working out has made him a better athlete, no matter what the sport.

"Six months into working out I noticed I had gotten quicker and faster," he said.

"I've gotten stronger and able to do what I can do when I want to do it. In basketball, I'm able to jump higher and dribble faster and push to do layups when I need to."

While he said his favourite subject this year is English, he really looks forward to gym class.

"I've been liking English a lot," he said, adding a caveat.

"Gym is one of my important subjects because I like to be active and play sports."

He also spends time outdoors, helping his father with chores such as gathering wood.

"I've been out getting wood and helping out my dad with tents and whatnot," he said.

Gruben is on track to graduate this year and hopes to one day join the RCMP or the military. He said students looking for ways to earn their community service hours need only to look around their own communities for inspiration.

"If you want to graduate, you need your community service hours," he said. "It's not that hard to get them."

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