Kayla Abbott
Glennallen – $3,000
What field are you planning to study?
Civil Engineering
What college or trade school do you plan to attend?
Montana Technological University
What inspired you to pursue your chosen field of study?
I was inspired to pursue engineering through a desire to contribute to my community while using my love for learning and solving problems to do so.
Is there a teacher, mentor, or family member who has made a big impact on you?
My parents and Mackenzie Dysinger.
What will you miss most about high school or your hometown?
The aspects I will miss most about Glennallen are the people in this community and the beauty that surrounds us.
What’s your favorite place in your hometown?
Either the Tazlina River or the Carlton’s house.
What advice would you give to younger students in your community?
Stay curious.
What are you most excited about as you start this next chapter?
I’m excited to meet new people and learn in a new environment.
Chelsey Palmer
Tatitlek – $3,000
What field are you planning to study?
Emergency Medicine
What college or trade school do you plan to attend?
University of Alaska Anchorage
What inspired you to pursue your chosen field of study?
I got certified as an emergency trauma technician through the state of Alaska in my freshman year of high school and fell in love with the medical field from there. I also want to give back to my home state, that has given me so much.
Is there a teacher, mentor, or family member who has made a big impact on you?
Both of my parents, Nichole and Jed Palmer, had a huge impact on my education and personal goals. They guided me throughout my path of getting my Associates of Arts degree from UAF as a high schooler and supported me through weeks or semesters that I didn’t think I could get through. Another key figure in my life is my Gram, Rosaline Clasoff, because of her unconditional love and constant support throughout my life. She used to always tell me “Do all your homework before anything else. Lawyer or Doctor, those are your options.” I think she would be proud to know I am becoming a doctor.
What will you miss most about high school or your hometown?
I will miss Tatitlek so much because my memories and fun that I have had here. I have grown up in Tatitlek my whole life, and it will be incredibly hard to leave the place that has shaped me into who I am today. Tatitlek has taught me how to work hard and look out for others, which I strongly believe is what guided me into the direction of emergency medicine.
What’s your favorite place in your hometown?
My favorite place in Tatitlek is the lagoon where everyone fishes for silvers in the fall, the beach where we have bonfires or just hangout, or anywhere on the water I can go to on my boat because it makes me feel closer to my Uncle Louis.
What advice would you give to younger students in your community?
Try everything at least once and don’t take anything for granted. Try to experience every opportunity you can, especially living in such a small community.
What are you most excited about as you start this next chapter?
I’m excited to meet new people, try new things I never got to try while living here, and using what Tatitlek has taught me in a new setting.
Monica Bryan
Copper Center – $2,500
What field are you planning to study?
Airframe and Powerplant
What college or trade school do you plan to attend?
University of Alaska Fairbanks Aviation Technical College
What inspired you to pursue your chosen field of study?
I have always loved aviation, and it provides a very meaningful, positive impact on the quality of life for rural Alaskans.
Is there a teacher, mentor, or family member who has made a big impact on you?
Martin Boniek, who is the owner of Copper Valley Air Service has helped me to chase my dreams and pursue a career in aviation.
What will you miss most about high school or your hometown?
I am going to miss my friends and my amazing support network that they provided for me.
What’s your favorite place in your hometown?
There is a trail that goes down the bluff to the Tonsina River. I ride my dirtbike down there and spend hours by the river. That is probably my favorite place.
What advice would you give to younger students in your community?
Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, opportunity or brilliant idea, just start something. You will never accomplish your goals by sitting around waiting for them to fall into your lap.
What are you most excited about as you start this next chapter?
I am so excited to move out of my home and move to a new place where I will met new people and begin training for the career that I have always wanted.
Erik Vincent
Valdez – $2,500
What field are you planning to study?
History and political science, with a minor in music.
What college or trade school do you plan to attend?
Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.
What inspired you to pursue your chosen field of study?
Public service and the idea of making communities better for everyone.
Is there a teacher, mentor, or family member who has made a big impact on you?
I have been fortunate to have many, so it is difficult to pick one. Both of my parents have taught me an appreciation for public service from both of their career fields.
What will you miss most about high school or your hometown?
A place where many know me.
What’s your favorite place in your hometown?
Valdez Harbor in the summertime.
What advice would you give to younger students in your community?
Involve yourself heavily but don’t overextend.
What are you most excited about as you start this next chapter?
Meeting like minded people from diverse backgrounds.
Savannah Barton
Valdez – $1,500
What field are you planning to study?
I am planning to study Interior Design
What college or trade school do you plan to attend?
Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia
What inspired you to pursue your chosen field of study?
I have always loved art and design. I want to design spaces for people that are functional and environmentally sustainable so people can enjoy where they live or work.
Is there a teacher, mentor, or family member who has made a big impact on you?
My mom has always been my greatest support system, and a great role model for the person I’ve become today.
What will you miss most about high school or your hometown?
I will greatly miss the close community and everyone I’ve grown up with. It will be strange to no longer seeing people I’ve known most of my life but it will be good cause we’re all on our next paths.
What’s your favorite place in your hometown?
The Harbor for all the cool wildlife, views, and great food!
What advice would you give to younger students in your community?
The best advice I can give is make the most of your time here. Don’t be afraid to go out and join clubs, sports, or social events. Being part of the community is really beneficial.
What are you most excited about as you start this next chapter?
I am most excited about seeing new places, experiencing new things, meeting new people, different cultures, and overall finding my place in young adulthood.
Hailey Major
Valdez – $1,500
What field are you planning to study?
Cosmetology
What college or trade school do you plan to attend?
I will be attending Idaho State University in the fall
What inspired you to pursue your chosen field of study?
Watching people cut and color their hair during lockdown and keeping up with my own hair the last 5 years. I want to make people feel good with their hair.
Is there a teacher, mentor, or family member who has made a big impact on you?
My Science and English teachers had big impacts on me. They acknowledge how much I have grown in those fields and they always help me in the ways I need. They always make class more enjoyable.
What will you miss most about high school or your hometown?
I will miss the mountains, sunsets, and the northern lights. I will also miss my teachers.
What’s your favorite place in your hometown?
My favorite place in town is anywhere you can see the whole town or see the most beautiful sunsets.
What advice would you give to younger students in your community?
Be respectful to your teachers, it will make school easier. Don’t skip school and keep your grades up.
What are you most excited about as you start this next chapter?
I am excited to go to the school in a big area.
Lola Compehos
Valdez – $1,500
What field are you planning to study?
I am planning on getting my Associates in Nursing (ASN)
What college or trade school do you plan to attend?
Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, WA
What inspired you to pursue your chosen field of study?
I really like helping people and want to make a meaningful difference in their lives.
Is there a teacher, mentor, or family member who has made a big impact on you?
My teachers through out highschool have always supported me, encouraged me and helped me grow into who I am today.
What will you miss most about high school or your hometown?
I will miss going to school with my best friends and being able to see them every day.
What’s your favorite place in your hometown?
My favorite place in my hometown is the mountains because it is so peaceful up there and such a freeing feeling being on mountains that big.
What advice would you give to younger students in your community?
My advice would be to believe in yourself stay on top of your goals and ejoy the journey because it goes by quicker than you think.
What are you most excited about as you start this next chapter?
I am very excited to meet new people and grow personally and academically in college.
Robert Quemado Jr.
Cordova – $500
What field are you planning to study?
My field of study is a bachelors degree in civil engineering
What college or trade school do you plan to attend?
I plan to attend college at the University of Alaska Anchorage
What inspired you to pursue your chosen field of study?
When I was a little kid, I liked to observe objects because I love looking at what it is made of and looking at the small details of how it works.
Is there a teacher, mentor, or family member who has made a big impact on you?
I want to excel academically because my mom is a teacher and she always reminds me and my brother that education is the best inheritance she can give to us, as we carry it wherever we go.
What will you miss most about high school or your hometown?
I will miss my brother, friends, teachers, and my family. I will miss my FTC Robotics team for being a team member and an engineer for our robots.
What’s your favorite place in your hometown?
My favorite place in my hometown of Cordova is Hartney Bay. Since I was little, I have always asked my mom to drive me there. It makes me relaxed and happiest when I see the ocean and the mountains in that area.
What advice would you give to younger students in your community?
My advice to the younger students in our community is to always be kind, respectful, caring, helpful, and friendly. Always be humble and help the community with music and events and the church.
What are you most excited about as you start this next chapter?
I am so excited about my next chapter to show my integrity, dedication, and hardwork to achieve my dream of becoming a Civil Engineer.
Pheobe Tschappat
Cordova – $500
What field are you planning to study?
Nursing
What college or trade school do you plan to attend?
Undecided. I have offers from several schools but I am leaning towards Frostburg University in Maryland.
What inspired you to pursue your chosen field of study?
I am passionate about helping others however I can. Mentally and physically, it is very rewarding work.
Is there a teacher, mentor, or family member who has made a big impact on you?
Ms. Moody. She has helped expand my awareness of the social and political sectors of our world. It has made me more educated and a better person.
What will you miss most about high school or your hometown?
The strong sense of community.
What’s your favorite place in your hometown?
The skihill. I spent a lot of time there growing up.
What advice would you give to younger students in your community?
Be a friend to everyone you meet.
What are you most excited about as you start this next chapter?
Learning new things as I pursue my career and becoming more independent.