Yellowknife (Feb 11/04) - Honoured students from Yellowknife Catholic schools gathered for lunch on Feb. 5, to celebrate being great people.

The Student's Lighting the Spirit program had its first official luncheon of the year, complete with pizza, fruit, chips and pop.

Sarah Powers, 21, has returned to high school after dropping out because she didn't see a bright future for herself. She received one of the spirit awards for her hard work and dedication. - Colleen Moore/NNSL photo

About 50 students from Ecole St. Joseph school, Weledeh Catholic school and St. Patrick high school were all invited to the Career and Technical Centre to receive spirit awards earned since September 2003.

Superintendent Kern Von Hagen was on hand and led the students in a prayer after telling them how proud he was of their accomplishments.

"Just being a good person is so important in our school system," said Von Hagen.

"We are here today to celebrate that. It's a good day."

Over the course of the school year, nominations are submitted by students or teachers for students most deserving of a spirit award. For the recipients, a formal letter and pin is delivered to their home, and they are also acknowledged individually within their school.

Returns to school

Sarah Power, a St. Pat's student, was one of many attending the lunch.

Now 21 years old, Power said she dropped out of high school in Grade 11, but came back because she didn't see much of a future for herself.

"I have the potential to go further," she said. "So why waste that."

While trying to finish up a few courses before applying to university, Power said she has also been spending her lunch hour volunteering at the Rock Cafe, the school cafeteria.

Catherine Babin-Lavoie, a Grade 10 student, was also given a spirit award for outstanding achievement.

Not only are her marks reflective of her hard work, she is also a member of student council, a participant on the volleyball and soccer teams and is currently helping to put together a program about bullying in the schools.

"I get too involved," she said. "But it's nice to be rewarded."