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CORAL HARBOUR/THUNDER BAY
A teenager who spent most of his early years in the Kivalliq educational system earned a number of distinctions for mathematics in Thunder Bay, Ont., this past month.

Judai (Peter) McKitrick, formerly of Coral Harbour, is congratulated by principal Pino Tassone, left, for his efforts in the TD Canada Trust Lakehead University Math Contest in Thunder Bay, Ont., this past month. - photo courtesy of Bruce McKitrick

Judai (Peter) McKitrick, formerly of Coral Harbour, was part of a team of three students which claimed first place in the junior level of the TD Canada Trust Lakehead University Math Contest's team competition.

McKitrick took third place at the individual junior level.

He was also awarded certificates of distinction from the University of Waterloo Cayley Mathematics Contest and his St. Ignatius High School in Thunder Bay for being among the top 25 per cent of the Ontario-wide competitors.

McKitrick, 15, said his affinity for mathematics stems from his enjoyment of problem solving.

He said it's a lot of fun to follow a straight-forward process and solve a problem.

"There were time limits to both contests, but the individual category had more complicated problems to be solved," said McKitrick.

"They were different from those in the team competition in that they focused on method.

"You had to figure out the proper way to get the right answer.

"The team competition was more about how efficiently you can solve problems."

McKitrick is also involved with amateur wrestling and plays guitar in a developing a Thunder Bay band.

He said a lot of musicians also play sports and do well in school.

"To me there's a correlation between them, because in each case you're working at something to achieve a goal.

"I like to play a lot of different types of music, but I'm leaning more towards rock and roll.

"To me it's all about whatever sounds good."

Now in Grade 11, McKitrick grew up in Coral Harbour - moving back and forth between the Kivalliq and Ontario during the years - before moving back to Thunder Bay to live in 2007.

He said the one thing he still really misses about life in Coral is the freedom one feels while out on the land.

"The transition has gone fairly smoothly for me, although the first couple of years were a bit rocky with the different culture and stuff.

"I still miss my friends and some other things about being up North, but, overall, I'd say I'm pretty well-adjusted at this point."

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