Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize a number of Hay Riverites in the academic field. Firstly, Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize a constituent of mine and one who I am sure has made at least one Member sitting across extremely proud. Mr. Speaker, my congratulations go out to Geoffrey Groenewegen on receiving the Minister's award for academic achievement. Geoffrey obtained the highest mark in the Northwest Territories in the 1999-2000 social studies departmental exam.
Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize residents of Hay River for their participation in the Northwest Territories Literacy Council Read for Fifteen campaign. Hay River, Mr. Speaker, recorded 1,203 participants. In comparison, Yellowknife, with five times the population, recorded 880.
Mr. Speaker, I would like at this time to recognize Harry Camsell Elementary School staff in Hay River for a recent technology award they won. They were the only school in the Northwest Territories to win this award. They were one of the 20 grants awarded to the schools across Canada. It made me very proud to have a school from Hay River among this elite group.
Mr. Speaker, the award was bestowed by Industry Canada. It was in recognition of schools demonstrating innovative uses of a technology. Harry Camsell School, in particular teacher Tyler Hawkins, is very progressive in their use of the software programs to promote communications and research skills. Mr. Speaker, Harry Camsell School is part of a very large network of schools involved in educational research. The information communications technology programs currently employed by the school have helped them build team learning within the school. This is vital to the enrichment of our students. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to add that the students, through the use of a database they created, are able to communicate, do research, and link up with students in other parts of Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I would just like to close by saying that our teachers are to be commended for the valuable work they do on a daily basis. Their ability to guide our children through the information highway will result in unparalleled opportunities for our children in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.