Fort McPherson youth gives leadership role her all
Sandra Blake chosen as NWT Youth Ambassador
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Monday, October 28, 2013
TETLIT'ZHEH/FORT MCPHERSON
Sandra Blake takes her schoolwork seriously. She is also friendly, outgoing and responsible, which are all qualities that will serve her well as one of this year's NWT Youth Ambassadors, said teacher Erica Thompson.
Sandra Blake, right, has been chosen as a NWT Youth Ambassador for the 2014 Arctic Winter Games in Fairbanks, Alaska. Here, she stands with Fort McPherson's junior girls volleyball team member Angela Koe Blake, left, and Chief Julius School teacher Jacqui Currie before a game in 2011. - NNSL file photo |
Blake is in Grade 12 at Chief Julius School in Fort McPherson.
"She has a really good work ethic," Thompson said. "She sets a definite example for students in terms of being at school ready to work and being committed to task."
Blake is one of the territory's youth ambassadors attending the Arctic Winter Games in Fairbanks, Alaska, in March 2014.
She and other ambassadors will spend their time volunteering at events, acting as representatives for the territory's youth.
Blake said she was happy she was chosen for the program.
"People believed that I could do it," she said.
In addition to learning new skills and meeting other youth, Blake said she is looking forward to seeing traditional games.
She said she is particularly interested in watching handgames.
Travelling to Alaska will be a first for Blake, who said she hopes to see some dogsledding during the trip.
"That would be cool to see," she said.
Blake said her favourite subjects in school are math and science.
"It's fun to do," she said. "They keep your mind going."
Thompson said no matter what the subject, Blake always strives to do her best.
Blake also excels at art class, Thompson said.
"She works diligently. She is super creative and artistic. She's quite talented."
Blake is also one of the students chosen for a trip to Europe later this year. Thompson said Blake has dedicated many hours to fundraising for the trip, including going from house to house in Fort McPherson looking for recyclable items for last year's bottle drive fundraiser.
"That's a dirty job," Thompson said. "She was first one there and last one to leave. She was totally dedicated to what we were doing."
This year's Arctic Winter Games takes place from March 15 to March 22.
