Pond Inlet (June 09/03) - Two Nunavut students will reap the rewards of hard work as they head off to university.

They are the recipients of Millennium Excellence entrance awards, which recognizes students for leadership skills and service to their communities.

The prizes come from a $2.5 billion fund created by the Canadian government in 1998 to invest in individuals who will benefit Canada with long, productive careers.

"This year's laureates are all outstanding students who care about the world around them," said Gerard Veilleux, chairman of the foundation's board of directors.

"They have a diverse background and a myriad of interests, but they all have in common the potential to become the future business, social and community leaders of our country," he said.

As a territorial laureate, Matthew Ferguson of Pond Inlet receives a $4,000 scholarship that is renewable for three years, up to a maximum of $16,000. Ferguson is a cadet sergeant major who teaches the largest cadet corps of Canada's three territories.

In his work with the cadets he has received the Commanding Officer's award and became the first cadet in his corps to pass the National Star Certification award. He has provided leadership to the youth of Pond Inlet by creating a youth softball program for twenty children over the summer.

Shannon D'Arcy of Nunavut also received a Millennium scholarship for the upcoming school year. The award provides D'Arcy $4,000 towards her first year of post-secondary education.

The cash awards are intended to recognize community involvement, leadership, and innovation, but also to provide incentive for the brightest students to complete their studies here in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.