Top mark maker
Trophy to NWT for the first time

Kim Barraclough
Northern News Services

NNSL (July 21/99) - When Adrian Lacey went to Calgary to take his qualifying and licensing course ‹ the program needed to become a licensed insurance broker ‹ he never thought he'd end up at the top of the class.

"I was not expecting it, that's for sure," he said.

But Lacey passed the course with a mark of 94 per cent, and came home with the top of the class trophy. Lacey is the first person in the NWT and Nunavut to achieve this honour.

Lacey's class consisted of 50 other students and he was surprised with how well he did.

"The people I was with (in the class) were really good."

Before he left to take the one-week course in Calgary, Lacey was warned that it is a tough course and nobody would look down on him if he did not pass.

Lacey said he sees this accomplishment as the start of his career.

"It's the first step, I'm now licensed, I can continue as far from here as I want to," said Lacey.

Along with the trophy, which must be returned in August, Lacey was also given a permanent plaque and a $400 scholarship.

Lacey will use the scholarship to take a binding authority course by correspondence.

Whether or not Lacey will be at the top of the class again remains to be seen.

"I really don't know ‹ I do expect myself to do well."

Prior to working for Arctic Insurance Brokers Ltd., where he's currently employed, Lacey managed a McDonald's location in Yellowknife for three years.

Lacey decided he need a change and left his management position and applied at Arctic Insurance Brokers Ltd. as a receptionist.

Lacey has been working hard to keep improving, moving on up and has never looked back.