Student's dedication shows

Page 5

Neither rain, nor snow, nor peer pressure will keep Alayna Tootoosis from school.

The 18-year-old graduated from Chief Poundmaker school with a perfect attendance record. She hasn't missed a single day in 14 years. She's attended the school on Poundmaker reserve outside Cut Knife since nursery school.

Tootoosis is captain of the school's basketball team and also plays baseball, volleyball, soccer and "whatever comes up."

Principal Lionel Pillar said the honor roll student earns grades of 90 per cent or higher in all her classes. Her accomplishments were recognized at her graduation ceremonies, where in addition to being class valedictorian, she received seven awards, including Best All Around Student.

Through sick days and late nights, Tootoosis always showed up for class. Her friends joked that she never left the school.

Staying in school while friends dropped out or failed wasn't easy, Tootoosis said.

"I left a lot of my friends behind."

Her original class dwindled over the years until only one of them graduated with her.

Tootoosis said the support and encouragement of her parents helped her stay in school.

Her mother makes breakfast for her and drives her to school every morning so Tootoosis won't have to spend half an hour on the bus.

"I tell her it's her decision, it's up to her," Aldina Tootoosis said. Her husband Al said their daughter understands where her education could take her.

To celebrate Tootoosis' graduation, friends and family held a traditional round dance in her honor.

Her aunt, Elisabeth Johansson, said that not only is Tootoosis' record commendable, "it is also commendable to the parents to be that supportive."

Johansson thinks Tootoosis and her parents "will influence a lot of parents, I'm sure."

Tootoosis, whose favorite subject is English literature, said she's still exploring her career options. She is excited about plans to attend the University of Saskatchewan in the fall, although she said, "after 14 years, I'm a little burnt out."