NNSL (Apr 03/98) - St. Patrick high school has been recognized by the Conference Board of Canada for its work with the Yellokwnife business community.

Yellowknife's school was chosen among 170 submissions from across the country as the recipient of the Business Education Award, which recognizes the school's many partnerships with community businesses.

"It's a pretty elite company actually because this is national," said Kern Von Hagen, principal at St. Pat's.

"When they told me and wrote me a letter they were very affirming in terms of what they thought about what we had been doing and the nature of the partnerships that we have. It's pretty pleasing."

St. Pat's has partnerships with more than 20 agencies and government departments in the city including the RCMP, Department of Social Services, City of Yellowknife, Construction Technology for Women and the NWT Registered Nurses Association.

St. Pat's will accept the award in Ottawa at a Business, Education and Community Conference May 10 to 12. The Guild of Arts and Crafts has been invited to come along, but they must pick up their own tab.

The Royal Bank of Canada is paying to send Von Hagen to the ceremony. It will also sponsor another celebration in Yellowknife at a later date.

The Conference Board is giving $1,000 to the school for winning the award. The school's architect, Gino Pin, is matching that prize, plus one extra dollar.

Von Hagen said the students are talking the money to make a video highlighting the partnerships at the school.

"I'm thrilled," said Von Hagen. "It's a nice positive stroke for the entire city."

Don Kindt, acting superintendent of the board, said everyone at Yellowknife Catholic Schools is proud of the accomplishment. "The school leadership and the staff have turned the new high school facility into what is truly a community school, one that reflects the world which students are being prepared for," said Kindt.

The school is grateful to Yellowknife businesses, agencies and government for working with the school since it opened over two years ago and looks forward to continued success as partners, added Kindt.