KUGLUKTUK,
Nunavut, Oct. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - The Business Development Bank of
Canada (BDC) today acknowledged the success of Jeanne Scarfe and
Russ Sheppard with its 2003 Young Entrepreneur Award for Nunavut.
Schoolteachers Jeanne, 26, and Russ, 28, founded The Grizzly Den
Inc., a non-profit organization to promote sports, team building
and extra-curricular activities for Kugluktuk's youth.
"With
increasingly limited entertainment options, it wasn't surprising
that the children were bored and getting into trouble," explained
Jeanne.
"This
was reflected in the classroom as well. Russ and I saw firsthand
the need to provide our students with recreational activities."
"Our
goal with The Grizzly Den Inc. is to give young people a positive,
community-oriented environment where they can enjoy themselves and
feel like they belong," added Russ. "In a community as small as
Kugluktuk, everyone knows one another and we need to make an extra
effort to keep children stimulated and in school."
Although
teachers oversee The Grizzly Den Inc., it is the students of Kugluktuk
High School that run the organization's activities. Funds, raised
through clothing sales, a mini canteen, donations, and an arcade,
are used to provide students with recreational opportunities.
Last
year, The Grizzly Den Inc. created the first ever Northern Lacrosse
Team, which travelled to Edmonton and was named Most Sportsmanlike
Team. The organization also sent four athletes to a U19 Team Canada
Lacrosse World Cup tryout camp, and 23 athletes and coaches to the
Iqaluit/Nuuk Arctic Winter Games.
In
order to partake in The Grizzly Den's activities, students must
maintain an overall school attendance record of at least 80 percent
every two weeks. They must also score at least 7 out of 10 on their
performance log, which rates effort in school rather than academic
success. In addition, students must maintain a healthy community
life, which includes being drug-free.
The
Grizzly Den's popularity is changing Kugluktuk for the better. There
was a 122 percent increase in overall school attendance at Kugluktuk
High School in 2001-2002, compared to the previous school year.
Also, at least 30 percent more students are expected to graduate
in 2003, compared to 2000.
"Jeanne
and Russ epitomize a new generation of young Canadian entrepreneurs
who, in creating their organizations, are giving a great deal back
to their communities," says BDC President and CEO Michel Vennat.
"I salute their drive and determination."
The
founders of The Grizzly Den Inc. will be honoured at a ceremony
this evening in Halifax, along with other BDC Young Entrepreneur
Award winners from across Canada.
About BDC's Young Entrepreneur Awards
BDC's Young Entrepreneur Awards celebrate
this year's winners with the theme: YOU'RE THE POWER behind the
Canadian economy, let's share the energy! It recognizes the achievements
of Canadian businesspeople between the ages of 19 and 35, paying
tribute to a young entrepreneur from each province and territory.
Winners are chosen by a selection committee, based on a number of
criteria that range from operating success and innovation to involvement
in the new economy, community work and export performance.
The
new BDC Ongoing Achievement Award, presented to a YEA winner between
1988 and 2002 whose business has continued to grow steadily since
receiving the award, will be given during the BDC Forum on Tuesday,
October 21. The names of the winners of the Laurentian Bank Export
Achievement Award - for the most outstanding export results -, and
the Bell Creative Mind Award - for having shown daring and originality
in the creation, marketing or promotion of a product and/or service
and giving the business an edge over the competition, therefore
ensuring growth -, will be announced during the evening of October
21st.
Winners
of the 2003 Young Entrepreneur Awards will also be invited to the
second BDC Forum, where they will have an opportunity to meet senior
BDC executives, distinguished academics and business leaders who
have made their mark in a specific business sector. The BDC Consulting
Group will also hold information sessions for this year's winners.
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