ARVIAT
A group of seven students from John Arnalukjuak High School (JAHS) in Arviat put in a strong performance at the Skills Nunavut competition at Inukshuk High School in Iqaluit on April 30.

Candace Angalik of John Arvalukjuak High School in Arviat is all business on her way to earning a gold medal for baking at the Skills Nunavut competition in Iqaluit. - photo courtesy of Gord Billard

More than 65 students from across Nunavut competed in 17 trades and technologies categories at the event.

The Arviat group's efforts saw Candace Angalik strike gold in baking, while Amalea Gibbons took gold in the hairstyling category.

The two will now travel to the Skills Canada National Competition in Moncton, N.B., from June 5 to 8.

JAHS's Kyle Schaubroeck took bronze in small engine repair, while Samuel Pauppa and Shelton Nipisar took bronze in TV/video production, Ruth Kaviok earned bronze in baking and Damaris Nutarasungnik claimed bronze in photography.

The group was chaperoned by Gord Billard and Trish Luciani.

Billard said it was interesting to note the most experienced JAHS students at the territorial competition took bronze, while rookie Gibbons and second-year competitor Angalik surprised everyone by coming through with gold.

He said Gibbons scored gold at her very first skills competition.

"Amalea just blew away the technical chair for hairstyling even before the competition started," said Billard.

"We had training sessions on April 29, and the technical chair couldn't figure out how Amalea did this certain style of braids she created.

"She took pictures of it to send down to her colleagues in Halifax, N.S., and talked about how amazing Amalea was and she hadn't even competed yet.

"So we knew she was pretty good and, at the end of the competition, it was obvious her work was over and above that of the other three competitors."

Grade 10 student Angalik, 15, captured gold in baking at her second Skills Nunavut competition. She said she decided to get involved with the JAHS baking club two years ago because there's not really that much to do in Arviat after school and she was starting to get really bored.

"My most favourite thing to do in baking is to bake a cake and then decorate it," said Angalik.

"I think I had a hidden creative side in me that I found when I started decorating cakes.

"I enjoy the mixing and baking, too, I guess, but it's the decorating I really, really enjoy."

Angalik said she's the only person in her family who really enjoys baking.

She said her new talent allowed her to do something special for her mom about two months ago.

"I baked a cake and decorated it on my mom's birthday this past March.

"I baked her a white cake with buttercream icing and she really liked it.

"It disappeared pretty quick, so I guess everyone liked it."

Angalik said she was still a bit nervous going to the Skills Nunavut competition for her second time.

She said it was, however, a little easier knowing what to expect this time.

"It was definitely easier for me than my first time here in 2015 because I have more experience now.

"It was a big surprise for me when I found out I won gold because I didn't get anything this past year.

"So I was very happy."

Angalik said there were more people in the baking category this time around than there were her first time at the competition.

She said the students had fun, even though they were competing against each other.

"We made shortbread cream puffs, challah bread and buns, as well as baking a cake and decorating it.

"We were all pretty quiet when we first started baking, but it became more fun later when there wasn't as much tension.

"I'm a bit nervous about going to the national competition but I'm pretty excited, too.

"I'd encourage more youth to give our skills clubs a shot because you learn something new and, if you give it a chance, you might find it's fun."

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