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A testament to dedication Lone 2013 grad off to Nunavut Sivuniksavut program in Ottawa
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, September 4, 2013
CHESTERFIELD INLET
Vanessa (Vanderwhalin) Mimialik was the lone student to accept her diploma during graduation ceremonies at Victor Sammurtok School in Chesterfield Inlet this past month.
Grade 12 graduate Vanessa Mimialik is joined by her grandmother, Leonie Mimialik, after receiving her diploma at Victor Sammurtok School in Chesterfield this past month. - photo courtesy of Glen Brocklebank |
That doesn't change the fact that she's one heck of a grad, said teacher Ana Leishman.
Leishman has taught Mimialik for a number of years and said her dedication and determination led her to the graduation stage.
Leishman, who co-wrote the presentation speech delivered at the ceremony, said she has never met a student more willing to help and try new things than Mimialik.
The newly-graduated Mimialik accomplished more than Leishman could have imagined during her final year at Victor Sammurtok, she said.
"Vanessa helped to renovate the school and used power tools she had never seen before," said Leishman. "She destroyed, cleaned, made and installed custom shelving in the equipment room."
Graduation year also saw Mimialik fire a gun for the first time, scoring three bullseyes her first time out.
Her cultural project in the local science fair earned her a trip to the Kivalliq Regional Science Fair, where she earned one of the three spots to represent Nunavut at the Canada-Wide Science Fair.
Leishman said Mimialik acted more like a chaperone than a student when she attended a regional science camp, even helping a teacher who had never camped before.
She said Mimialik has earned the right to be called a graduate.
"And, she did so while taking on a number of tasks at home and working almost full time," Leishman said. "To say Vanessa is capable of doing anything she puts her mind to is a gross understatement."
Mimialik received a personal computer from Areva Resources upon her graduation, and is now attending the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program in Ottawa.
Leishman said she's proud to have been a part of her journey to this point.
"I'm privileged to have been part of Vanessa's learning," she said. "She has a very bright future ahead of her."
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