Fort Liard (Jun 16/06) - Echo Dene school is about to say goodbye to two of its volunteers.

Aaron Bauman and Sarah Mattox have been working in the school since October as part of the Beaver Volunteer Program run by the Frontiers Foundation. They will be leaving June 22.

Aaron Bauman and Sarah Mattox stand in front of the shed that became one of their projects while volunteering at the Echo Dene school in Fort Liard. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

This is the first time the school has had volunteers from the program.

"I think we had two gems of people come here," high school teacher Ken Nowoselski said.

"When I see people like that I am incredibly thankful."

Nowoselski said both Mattox and Bauman spent the year providing quiet support for students that was appreciated by the teachers. Both volunteers worked without drawing attention to their deeds, never complained and were always optimistic.

"It was incredibly moving if anyone watched them for the course of the year," he said.

Mattox worked in a number of areas in the school to help improve the comfort zone for students, Nowoselski said. One of her activities was to spend a day each week making muffins with a group of students.

"They know she's there for them," he said.

Students could think of a number of things Mattox did, ranging from helping with reading to taking students on field trips.

"She likes to help me with math," Brittany MacCauley said.

Sasha Duntra said having people come to the school to volunteer was appreciated.

"She brightens up everything," Duntra said about Mattox.

Aaron Bauman also helped in classes, but his special project became the multipurpose building being built by the Practical Arts Liard program students, Nowoselski said.

Bauman could be found working in the building come rain or shine trying to insure it was completed, Nowoselski said.

"I like working with him. He's cool," student Jonathon McLeod said about Bauman.

Bauman and Mattox, both Americans, arrived in the North in a unique manner.

They set off from Northern Minnesota in a canoe in May and paddled north for 115 days.

The two had heard about the Beaver program and liked the ideals of volunteerism, humanities and social outreach, Bauman said.

As volunteers, Bauman and Mattox weren't paid, but had their room and board provided and received a small stipend.

Recently people keep asking them if they were eager to leave, but Bauman said they aren't counting the days.

"We look forward to coming here and working with the students which is the best part," Bauman said about being at the school.

Mattox agreed that building relationships with the students has been rewarding.

"It's neat living in a small community and knowing a lot of people you meet on the street," Mattox said.

Other volunteers from the Beaver program who have been assisting in schools around the Deh Cho include Richard Garner at Chief Julian Yendo school in Wrigley and Nicola Wiedenmann and Daya Laxmishvestah at Deh Gah school in Fort Providence.