Challenge accepted
Rollden Eyakfwo maintains grades, culture and sense of humour
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Monday, April 4, 2016
BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO
Rollden Eyakfwo knows how to face challenges head-on.
The Grade 12 student at Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School in Behchoko is not only excelling in class, but also making time for tradition, said principal Patti Turner.
"He's academic but he's strong in his culture," Turner said.
"He's one of the nicest, funniest young men you'll meet."
Handgames are often practised at the school and Eyakfwo said he never misses a chance to play.
"Whenever I get a chance, I try to get into a handgame practice with my friends," he said.
Playing handgames helps him to maintain a link between life in the modern world and tradition, Eyakfwo said.
"It's the thing that connects me to the past," he said.
When he's not participating in handgames, Eyakfwo is busy helping to organize school events and activities as co-president of the school's student council. He also works hard to maintain his grades. He said science is his favourite subject this year.
"I like the experiments we do," he said.
Eyakfwo is aiming to graduate this year and would like to take the culinary arts program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. When the time comes, Eyakfwo already has experience living away from home to attend school. He is originally from Gameti but boards with a family in Behchoko while finishing high school.
He said the most important advice he has for students having a difficult time in school is to keep trying, even if they fail and have to try again.
"You have to try hard in school," he said. "Sometimes you mess up and you have to retake a year but never be afraid to go for it."
Eyakfwo said the key to overcoming challenges is to look for support.
"Ask for the teacher's help after school because they're there for you," he said. "Don't be afraid to ask for help."
