Year: 2017

Rick Jager | Port Graham School #Classof2017

Rick Jager
Port Graham School
Class of 2017

Rick Jager s

During the Port Graham School 2017 graduation ceremony, natural storyteller, University of Alaska scholar, and graduate Rick Jager told the story of what helped him reach the finish line. Hard work and perseverance were part of it, but having a teacher who took the time to reach out to Rick during challenging times was the key to his success during his final year. Rick was speaking of his teacher, Mr. Colby Way, one of the 2017 BP Teachers of Excellence finalists. Rick’s story underlines that without supportive relationships, none of us can be as strong.
Port Graham is proud of Rick for finishing strong and graduating high school. Rick has the distinction of being Port Graham School’s 2017 UA Scholar. After working at the Port Graham Council for the summer, he will put his scholarship to good use with further education and training at Job Corp. He hopes to gain the skills he needs to find work and live in Anchorage.
Rick is an example of a student who values people. Whether it be a community member or the regional administrator coming to visit the school, Rick welcomes them pleasantly and with warmth, genuinely wanting a report on how they are. His respect for people does not discriminate by age: Rick is fantastic with younger students as well, and he encourages them to keep their heads up in difficult times.
That Rick’s commencement speech focused on how much his teacher helped him during his last years in school is not a surprise. Rick Jager is a young man who has his priorities straight, realizing that his own merits are worth so much more because of the care and support he received when he needed it. Rick will, in turn, give back to others.
Connect with Port Graham School on Facebook
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District www.KPBSD.org
KPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL

Mikayla Clark | Ninilchik School #Classof2017

Mikayla Clark
Ninilchik School
Class of 2017

Ninilchik School Mikayla s
Mikayla Clark has been an outstanding student at Ninilchik for the past 10 years. “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing her for the past six years, and during these years I’ve seen her grow into a mature, confident young woman,” said Principal Jeff Ambrosier. “Through the I-team process she started taking both math and language arts classes for high school credit and she didn’t stop there. She sits on the State Future Farmers of America (FFA) team and this has allowed her to travel on a national level to talk to kids about not only FFA but also growing as a young adult. In addition to her academic success, Mikayla has also been a member of three varsity sports and has been part of state track and basketball.”
Mikayla’s love of Alaska and all that it offers has helped shape her plans after high school. Her post high school goals include attending University of Alaska, Southeast, for her bachelor’s degree in environmental science and then onto the University of Idaho for a masters in biological engineering.
She will be missed at Ninilchik school and we not only wish her the best of luck in her future plans but also thank her for helping make Ninilchik a better school.
Connect on Facebook with Ninilchik School
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District www.KPBSD.org
KPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL

Michale Meyers | Nikiski Middle-High School #Classof2017

Michale Meyers
Nikiski Middle-High School
Class of 2017

Nikiski Middle High School Michale Meyers
Michale Meyers is the first high school graduate in his family, and has taken advantage of every opportunity throughout high school to prepare himself for the world of work. With a diploma in hand, eight semesters of welding courses under his belt, and a job already in place with MagTec, Michale knows his future is bright.
Michale attributes his success in school to the love and support of his parents who encouraged him to keep his eyes on the prize and to Mr. Bostic and Mr. Rizzo, two educators he said always pushed him to do the right thing and stay on the right track.
After graduation, Michale will continue to work in his position as a roustabout while pursuing his dream of a career in welding. For Michale, having a high school diploma means having options, like the opportunity to take a project management course at Kenai Peninsula College to move up the ranks. He is a great example of a student who has positioned himself for success. With a background working for L&G Enterprises and MagTec, this brand new high school graduate already has real world experience.
We at Nikiski High know Michale will have far-reaching impacts on his community as he brings his joy for life, sense of humor and hard work and determination to bear. Michale is going to make great things happen for himself and others.
Facebook: Nikiski Middle-High School
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District www.KPBSD.org
COVER 1 NNS and NMHS buddy bench 2017

Vera Fefelov | Nikolaevsk School #Classof2017

Vera Fefelov
Nikolaevsk School
Class of 2017

Vera Fefelov Nikolaevsk
Vera Fefelov, is the Nikolaevsk Class of 2017 Valedictorian, graduating summa cum laude with a GPA of 4.105, with an incredible work ethic academically and athletically. Through hard and focused work she is graduating one year early. She has earned many academic and athletic awards during her tenure at Nikolaevsk and has maintained a sense of humor and humility the entire time.
Vera will attend Georgetown University in the fall where she will major in International Business Regional Studies at the McDonough School of Business, with a minor in Russian. Vera hopes to “get other languages under her belt” in future. When asked if she had any advice for the schoolmates she is leaving behind she stated,

“Never doubt yourself in anything you put your mind to. Just because you may experience failure in some way, it’s what you do with that failure that defines you. Don’t be afraid to push your limits–that’s where you find yourself and learn what you are capable of. The struggle is definitely worth it. It isn’t easy–but it’s worth it, trust me!”

Facebook: Nikolaevsk School
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District www.KPBSD.org
Vera Fefelov Nikolaevsk 3

Terence Paul Swenning | Nanwalek School #Classof2017

Terence Paul Swenning
Nanwalek School
Class of 2017

Nanwalek School Terence Paul Swenning s
Terence Paul Swenning is an inspiring graduate with exceptional determination, talent, and perseverance. Rather than taking a solely academic route through his schooling, Terence has demonstrated the ability to finish school with attention to academics, artistry, and athletics. Balanced with determination, Terence moves into the world with energy and independence.
Terence was eager to finish school and move into his adult life, and succeeded in earning his diploma a semester early. Spring semester was spent working for the Nanwalek IRA Council, and creating a business plan for his next adventure.
An ambitious young man, Terence plans to move to California to start a business selling t-shirts with his own artistic designs. He is currently putting his mind to the finances of this endeavor, seeking small business loans, and making necessary contacts in California. This independent means of making a living will allow him to pursue professional skateboarding.
Throughout school, Terence was known as a strong reader, a talented artist, a natural musician, and an active skateboarder.
Terence went about these talents gently, but firmly. Although students and staff know Terence as a quiet student, we have always been clear that he has a strong voice and a determination.
Terence is a driven young man, and his work ethic is very strong. To put the necessary pieces in place to move from the rural village of Nanwalek with 275 residents to the large state of California and start a small business to compliment his talents and lifestyle is remarkable. Everyone in Nanwalek will be watching to see his plan unfold!
Facebook: Nanwalek School
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District www.KPBSD.org

Emily Koziczkowski | Kenai Central High School #Classof2017

Emily Koziczkowski
Kenai Central High School
Class of 2017

Kenai Central HS Emily Koziczkowski s

Emily Koziczkowski is a shining example of how life’s challenges shape who we become. Emily’s yearbook quote: “Life’s a climb but the view is great” exemplifies her approach to her education. She took the most rigorous classes offered at Kenai Central and still excelled. When she had completed the highest math offered, AP calculus, she decided to continue taking math at Kenai Peninsula College. She took calculus II and III and earned A’s in both classes. Additionally, she took psychology so that she could get a head start on some of the general college requirements. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, she is an Honor Graduate, and represents Kenai Central as one of the valedictorians. Because of her dedication to excellence in her education, she has received a variety of scholarships to help pay for her college. In the fall she will attend Portland University and pursue a degree in chemistry. Since middle school, her dream has been to become a doctor. She will achieve this goal one day!
Emily is not just an academic, she is a well-rounded young woman and is a role model in how she gives back to her community. She has a drive to help others and demonstrates this by volunteering at the Leeshore Center and the Central Peninsula Hospital, and by coaching volleyball at Kenai Middle School. She is a leader. She was captain of the softball team for the 2016 season, was President of NHS in 2017, and is valuable asset to the KCHS varsity volleyball team.
Emily will leave Kenai Central with everyone cheering her on!
Kenai Central High School Facebook
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District www.KPBSD.org
KPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL

Azary Reutov | Kachemak-Selo School #Classof2017

Azary Reutov
Kachemak-Selo School
Class of 2017

K-Selo Azary Reutov senior pic

One of Azary Reutov’s most notable traits is his positivity. He is cheerful and supportive of classmates and a natural leader in school and out. His ready sense of humor, combined with his willingness to work hard, make him sought after as a teammate and friend. As an upperclassman, he has been a great role model to younger students, showing strong and steadily improving academic achievement and consistent attendance.
Azary is also a skilled athlete, and has made a mark in the last several years as a member of the Cougars football team, which brings together students from all three Head of the Bay Russian villages. He has contributed to the team’s growth in his role as quarterback and team captain. His enthusiasm and excitement about football, in victory and defeat, has spread into the Kachemak-Selo community and led to an increase in participants from Kachemak-Selo, as well as interest in the sport among younger students. He can often be seen after school on the community field, in all weather, leading a large diverse group of students in a game of touch football.
This example of Azary’s inspired leadership in the community is just one of many, and Kachemak-Selo is very lucky to call him one of their own.

Kachemak-Selo School website

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District www.KPBSD.org

KPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL

Ben Peck | Hope School #Classof2017

Class of 2017
Ben Peck
Hope School

Hope School Ben Peck c
Ben Peck grew up in the small town of Hope, and attended Hope K-12 School which means that Ben spent most of his time in school with a wide variety of students ranging in age from kindergarten through high school. Not a normal high school for most young people! But for Ben, that was just kind of how it was to grow up in a small town of about 150 people on an outside edge of the Kenai Peninsula, and about 90 miles from Anchorage!
Ben did not let being from a small town and a small school stop him from getting the most out of his education and reaching his educational dreams. His GPA is 3.84, and received four scholarship awards: the UAA Scholarship, the Governor’s Scholarship, the Hope PTO Scholarship, and the Kenai Borough Employee Association Scholarship!
Ben started the first debate team for Hope School, and they placed second in the Nikiski High School Debate in February 2017, and ended up going to the State Debate and Forensic 2017 Competition for the first time ever! A small two-man team heading off to state, where they had to prove to the lady at the front desk that they had a right to be there, while she looked and looked for their name on the roster, for a little, not yet known team from tiny Hope, Alaska. They spent two-weeks working every night prepping for that state debate in the shop at the school with their debate coach (Ben’s mother) in order to get the opportunity to go, and then receive special permission from ASAA to attend, because, as a Hope teacher says, “Well, our school is so tiny, we were almost not allowed to send a team! Benjamin made it all happen.”
Ben will head out of Hope to attend the University of Alaska, Anchorage, in the fall. He is planning to major in creative writing and journalism. He enjoys writing and wants to travel, loves history, and the outdoors.
Ben is just a remarkable young man. We are going to miss him around here, but know he will do well. He is smart, bright, and ready to take on the world.
Hope School website
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District www.KPBSD.org
KPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL

Juan Sarmiento | Homer High School #Classof2017

Class of 2017
Juan Sarmiento
Homer High School

Homer High School Juan Sarmiento s
As a very limited-English speaker newly in the United States, Juan Sarmiento wasn’t sure of the question when he was asked if he wanted to take algebra or geometry. Someone told him that geometry was more advanced, so that’s what he requested. That night he went home and studied online and the next day in class, when the teacher asked a question, it was Juan who answered it—correctly.
Moving from Argentina to Alaska is quite a shock but in the fall of 2017 when he goes from Alaska to Princeton, New Jersey, it will be a shock of a different sort. Juan is an excellent athlete, Poetry Out Loud winner, and a top scholar. He is one of the most independent students ever to graduate from Homer High School while at the same time willing to help anyone who asks, in topics ranging from his native Spanish to calculus. He is also funny, energetic and a good friend.
Juan will be missed a lot and everyone who knows him will be watching to see what ambitious and interesting things he does next!
Facebook Homer High School
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District www.KPBSD.org
KPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALLomer High

Larion Kuzmin | Homer Flex School #Classof2017

Class of 2017
Homer Flex School
Larion Kuzmin

Larion Kuzmin Homer Flex s
Larion enrolled at Homer Flex his sophomore year, focused on receiving a high school diploma. A Russian Old Believer who has captained his own commercial boat since he was 14, Larion brought with him the tenacity and resolve acquired through years of gillnetting in Cordova.
As an English Language Learner who struggled with reading, Larion worked hard for every credit. With his quiet and reserved attitude, he advocated for individualized learning, one on one help, and an alternative schedule. This allowed him to continue fishing while still working toward the degree that means so much to him.
With the support of his family and the staff at Flex, Larion earned his diploma this winter. His January graduation ceremony was a celebration of all his hard work!
Facebook: Homer Flex School
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District www.KPBSD.org