Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring the attention of this House to a young individual, Ms. Candace Smith of Fort McPherson. This young lady is very deserving of recognition for her initiative to look for ways to improve herself.
Candace, on her own initiative, applied for a program, EF Foundations High School Years Abroad, and was accepted to attend school down under in New Zealand. Candace has taken this initiative on her own, realizing it is not only going to be a new adventure but a challenge.
It takes people such as Candace and other young individuals to show if you have a dream, then reach for it and move on. She will be attending high school along with 350 other kids and living with a newlywed couple on their dairy farm in New Zealand.
Candace has received great support from the communities in the Mackenzie Delta. She has been supported by organizations such as Brighter Futures, the Gwich'in Tribal Council, and the Inuvik Lion's Club. This type of support and confidence in our young people is very encouraging.
Mr. Speaker, it is important that these types of support mechanisms help not only the individuals, but build up the confidence of the people in the communities, so they can believe that where there is a will, there is a way to take on these initiatives.
Candace's parents, Dean and Annie Smith of Fort McPherson, deserve recognition. They have obviously given Candace the love and support she needed to take on such a venture.
It is this type of parental and community support that is needed to raise children to have a good feeling about themselves, children who are ready to take on the role of representing not only themselves, but also their community.
Candace is a great role model to all young people. It is a wonderful experience to say that it takes a whole community to raise a child. With that, Mr. Speaker, I wish Candace all the best. To Dean and Annie Smith, I would like to acknowledge their efforts in raising Candace. Thank you.
-- Applause