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ARVIAT/BAKER LAKE - Arviat's Oopik Aglukark and Baker Lake's Teal Kreuger were named winners of the annual millennium excellence awards presented by the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation earlier this month.

Winners are selected for exceptional achievements in leadership, social innovation, academic performance and community service.

Oopik Aglukark, 16, continues her studies in Arviat this past week while working towards a career in medicine. - photo courtesy of Gord Billard

Aglukark received a huge boost to her education fund, as she will receive a territorial award of $20,500.

The Grade 12 student at John Arnalukjuak High has captured two silver and two gold medals at various science fairs, and was this year's regional champion in the Job Skill Demonstration category of the Skills Canada Nunavut competition in Iqaluit.

That showing earned her a spot at the national Canadian Skills Competition being held in Charlottetown, P.E.I., this week.

Aglukark, 16, plans to train as a doctor and hopes to serve as a role model for younger children.

She said she was thrilled to win the award.

"They sent an e-mail which I got on a Saturday morning at school," Aglukark said with a laugh.

"I was preparing for a presentation when I read it.

"My first thought was it had to be a fake, and then I remembered applying for it.

"It was pretty cool."

Aglukark plans to spend this summer in Arviat after completing high school.

She has her choice of universities narrowed to three: Dalhousie and Acadia in Nova Scotia and Carleton in Ottawa.

"I'm impressed by Dalhousie's medical school, but I like Acadia because it's a smaller school and I would feel more at home there.

"I'm interested in Carleton because my sister, Karen, takes humanities there."

Aglukark said while she doesn't want to look too far into the future, she would love to practise medicine in Nunavut after finishing her post-secondary studies.

She said that's 13 years away and, for now, she's taking it one step at a time.

"I've always wanted to be a doctor and my dedication helped keep me focused while in high school.

"Doctors don't spend their school years playing video games and going out instead of doing their homework.

"My older sister being such a positive influence really helped me, as well.

"She's pro-academic and I always looked up to her."

Aglukark said most of her teachers were supportive throughout her school years.

She said there were a few who thought her goals may have been set a little high, but she never let that get her down.

"You take all the good stuff from your teachers and don't dwell on anything negative because maybe they were just having a bad day.

"I never let a few negative comments distract me from my goal.

"I've applied to the three schools I hope to attend, and I'm looking forward to starting my studies at whichever one I end up at."

Kreuger, 17, received a local award of $4,500.

His stink pipe de-icer was a top winner at the Kivalliq Regional Science Fair and earned him a bronze medal and Peer Award at the 2007 Canada-Wide Science Fair in Nova Scotia.

Kreuger received a scholarship to transfer to Bishop's College School in Sherbrooke, Que. this past year, where he is pursuing interests in creative arts, athletics and music while in Grade 12.

He said he was quite happy to learn of his award.

"This award really helps because it's going to be expensive for me to go to university, especially with my parents back in Baker," said Kreuger.

"I'm either going into teaching, or into medicine to become a doctor.

"They both have their pros and cons and, even though I don't have too much more time to think about it, I haven't made my final decision.

"I've already been accepted into the University of Saskatchewan and that's where I'm going to go."

Kreuger has always successfully combined academics and athletics, and he's kept up with both while attending Bishop's.

He said the school has a good sports program and he's played hockey and soccer this year, as well as taking up rugby for the first time.

"I hope I'm able to continue with sports while I'm in university because I enjoy being on the field or the ice.

"As far as life after university, I lived in Baker for more than 15 years and I really love Nunavut and everything, but it's hard to say where I'll want to be in 10 or 15 years.

"Right now, I still have a decision to make and then I'll be totally focused on my studies.

"We'll see where everything leads me after that."