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RANKIN INLET - Rankin Inlet students put in a strong showing at the Skills Canada Nunavut Competition in Iqaluit earlier this month.

Rankin Inlet mentor/coach Pallullaq Friesen looks on as sisters Kimberly and Charlene Okalik, from left, compete in the TV and production division of the Skills Canada Nunavut Competition in Iqaluit earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Kevin Bussey

Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik (MUI) sent six students to this year's event, compared to one in 2008.

Cecile Noolook and Kristina Tatty represented Rankin in cooking, while Vince Lang Jr. and Andre Aokaut competed in workplace safety, and the sister tandem of Charlene and Kimberly Okalik showed their skills in TV and video production.

Aokaut took gold in his division, while Lang missed bronze by a single point.

Noolook and Tatty placed fourth and fifth respectively in cooking, while a computer glitch prevented the Okalik sisters from completing their project.

Aokaut was named to Team Nunavut and will travel to the national Skills Canada Competition in Prince Edward Island this coming month.

MUI vice-principal Kevin Bussey said he was extremely proud of the effort put in by all six students.

He said their performance bodes well for future participation.

"This was the first time Noolook and Tatty, both only 12 years old, have been in any competition," said Bussey.

"They're Grade 7 students, and they held their own with senior students who had several years of cooking experience under their belts.

"They'll be medal contenders next year, for sure."

The Okalik sisters were competing for the first time and only started practising for the TV and video competition a month ago. Bussey said they learned a tremendous amount from their volunteer mentor and coach, Pallullaq Friesen.

"They completed a great shoot in Iqaluit and it was terrible luck for them to lose their project.

"I'm sure they'll be back, as their experience grows."

Lang and Aokaut were up against six Iqaluit students in workplace safety.

They had to write a test, assess and correct hazards in three workplaces and prepare and present a project on workplace safety.

Lang did his presentation on hypothermia and frostbite, while Aokaut went with bear safety.

Bussey said they both did excellent presentations and received a number of compliments from the judges.

"We're so excited to have Andre selected for the national competition.

"This is the first time Nunavut will have a student compete in workplace safety at the national level. The judges expect Andre to have a good shot at the nationals, and he and I will work on their recommendation to improve his presentation before then.

"He and Vince Jr. are great examples of how a work experience program can build self-confidence and get students on track academically."