Yellowknife (July 02/03) - As hard as it is to graduate from high school and leave for university, it's twice as hard to return after dropping out.

The Native Women's Association Training Centre held a graduation ceremony for their 2003 Adult Basic Education and Work Place Experience Program on June 25.

Stephanie Mercredi was one of six students graduating while 36 others received certificates for courses completed.

"I wanted to further my math skills so I could apply to the diamond polishing course at Aurora College," Mercredi said.

The program offers an introduction to computers, four levels of math, English, science, health and exercise plus two work placements.

Mercredi liked her classes and appreciated the work placement preparation. She and her fellow students were given certification in First Aid/CPR and WHMIS. They also prepared for the learner's license test together.

"I liked it. They made it easy for me to learn," she said. "I learned a lot in math this year."

That's not what Mercredi would have said four years ago when she dropped out of St Patrick's high school during her grade 11 year.

"School got boring for me," she said. "I thought I could get a job and do better."

Later on, Mercredi realized that having a diploma could give her more opportunities for a better job and returned to school.

After taking the diamond polishing course at Aurora, Mercredi plans to attend the University of Alberta in January.

At the ceremony she was honoured twice. Mercredi was presented with a certificate of congratulations from Parliament by guest speaker Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew and a certificate for outstanding effort in science.

Nine of the students came from Nunavut, 30 from the NWT with nine from Rae Edzo and three came from B.C., Ontario and Manitoba.