Student becomes Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut's 1st high school grad in 4 years

Most parts of the country probably take it for granted but not this teenLindsay Joy Evaloajukis the first high schoolerinQikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut,to graduate in fouryears.

That's right, to graduate.

The territory has the lowest graduation rate in the country.

Evaloajukfinished her classes at Inuksuit elementary and high school last week.

The studentsays she struggled with math but sought extra help after normal school hours.

"I stayed after school to finish my work and I asked them how I could learn more. They taught me the formulas I need to know to figure out the problem in math," she said.

'It's their education, not the teacher's'

Only 57 per cent of students across Nunavut graduate from high school.

Asked what she thinks prevents other students in her community of 627 people from graduating too, Evaloajukreplied, "I've heard some people tell me they stopped going to school because their teacher wasn't being nice to them.

"But I wouldn't let that stop me. I don't think they shouldlet that stop them because it's their education, not the teacher's."

Evaloajuk"has been a hardworking, academicallystrong student and is alsoa passionate, confident, and outspoken individual," according to AmaliaSlobogian, a teacher at the school.

Evaloajuk has also been busy outside of school, joining an Arcticexpedition withStudents on Ice in 2015 and taking part in the NunavutSuicide Prevention Summit in Iqaluitearlier this year.

Good news travels fast

News of Evaloajuk's graduation garneredhundreds of congratulatory notes on CBC Nunavut'sFacebookpage.

Evaloajuk has represented Qikiqtarjuaq on the scholarlyStudents on Ice cruise shipand most recently at the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Summit.

She says her next goal is to attend Nunavut Sivuniksavut, the Ottawa-based junior college that offers courses on Inuit history and culture.

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