Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Coppermine (July 01/02) - One of the Kitikmeot's brightest stars is returning home to apply her newly learned skills in the region.

In a ceremony held at the Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton, Barbara Olson, 24, graduated with a two-year diploma in architectural technology.

"It was exciting," said Olson in an interview from Edmonton. "It has been a long two years."

Olson along with her husband, teacher Lee Olson, are planning to return to Kugluktuk in August.

School was tough and homework tougher for Olson, who almost quit the program. But in the end, it paid off.

"It was very heavy, we had a lot of homework, all we did was homework," said Olson. "But it was well worth it."

Olson's mother, Agnes Panioyak, said she had "goose-bumps" during her daughter's graduation. "I am surprised," she said. "She was almost quitting toward the end and she made it. I am so happy."

Olson said she is grateful to the Nunavut government and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association for helping her out with the $4,400 tuition and $3,000 in supplies she needed for school.

But in the end, it seemed even the cosmos wanted Olson to graduate.

On the last day of exams Olson met another Barbara whose life will be forever connected with Olson's.

The two were born in Yellowknife on June 19 at the Stanton Regional Hospital and both mothers named their children Barbara. Both walked across the stage on June 22 and received the same diploma.

"We didn't meet until the last day of school and we happened to take the same course," said Olson. "It was awesome."