Chris Hunsley
Northern News Services

Tuktoyaktuk (June 20/05) - Eight years without a sick day is nothing to sneeze at, Ryan Walker of Tuktoyaktuk, learned Thursday.

The 13-year-old was recognized at the year end assembly by his Mangilaluk School classmates and teachers for being the first perfect attender.

"It's quite a superb accomplishment," said principal Allen Pitcher, who commented it was rare to see a student complete one year without missing a day.

Walker, who plans to attend Grade 9 in Yellowknife or Fort Smith this fall, has not missed a day of class, for any reason, since kindergarten.

"I've just never really been sick," he said, explaining that illness always managed to wait until the weekends or summer break.

"I don't know why to tell the truth, maybe I get more sleep than them (other students) and that helps."

Along with the MP3 player, Jordan TooToo autographed hat and cheque Walker received to help with his studies, a plaque detailing his feat will be mounted in the school with other names added in the future, said Pitcher.

"It could be a good incentive because attendance and lateness are our two worst problems," he said.

Two years ago the District Educational Authority honoured Walker's lack of absences with a special award of their own.

Top of the pile

For the straight A student, science, math, language arts and socials like history are his favourite subjects and the reason he'll head south for high school.

"He's the top of the class in academics and is the biggest helper for the other students," Walker's teacher John Dawson said.

"He's better off going to a place that can offer more varied classes, especially for a science background," he said, noting Mangilaluk was too small to offer every senior level course.

For now, Walker said he'll visit his grandparents over the summer and decide where his education is going to take him.

He doesn't plan to forget his career in Tuk.

"I'm proud knowing I've accomplished something not many people have."