Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Resolute Bay (Jan 31/00) - Snow, rain, sleet or shine, Rebecca Mullin can be counted on to get to school.

For her perfect attendance, the hard-working eight-year-old is frequently rewarded.

"I go to school because I like getting the best attendance. I like the prizes and all the stuff I can get," said Mullin, currently in Grade 3 at Qarmartalik school in Resolute Bay.

Referring to the month-end rewards kindergarten to Grade 12 students receive when attendance records are checked, Mullin is just one of a growing number of youths in the High Arctic hamlet putting real effort into showing up for class.

According to principal Shannon Adams, that's the first step in ensuring that his students have an enhanced shot at success.

"The bottom line is there is no way to learn without being here. That's the most crucial thing," said Adams, noting that while the program had been in existence in one form or another for years, it really kicked off when RCMP officer Cpl. Lorne Adamitz moved to Resolute Bay in 1998.

Borne out of a similar idea he saw succeed in Alberta, Adamitz realized students needed instant gratification to be encouraged to attend. To that end, he contacted several Northern businesses -- many of which were local -- and at a monthly assembly, students with perfect or close to perfect attendance are awarded pencils, stickers, clothing and electronic equipment like computers and cameras.

"I've heard the marks have improved and the attendance has improved," said Adamitz.

At the end of it all, when the chalkboards have been erased and the computers shut off, better attendance means that students' aspirations, such as Mullin's goal to become a police officer, are more likely be realized.

"It's everything for the future," said Adamitz.

At just 10 years of age, that's a lesson already deeply instilled in Levi Kalluk.

"It's important to go every day," said Kalluk.

"You learn more things," added the future scientist.

Like-minded student Jeff Amarualik, 16, also has his eye on his career.

"I want to finish school because the new Nunavut government needs new people. I want to be one of them."