Page 39 – KPBSD Communications Field Notes

Kayla Haeg | Soldotna High School #Classof2016

Soldotna High School’s valedictorian Kayla Haeg holds deep pride in her choice to take full advantage of the many opportunities and courses offered at Soldotna High School. She often found that the knowledge she gained in diverse courses extended across multiple academic disciplines and well beyond the classroom. “After spending four years in Soldotna High School’s drama department, I’ve learned that having a small part in something doesn’t mean it’s unimportant. In this way, my experiences in drama have prepared me for success in the community. Through drama, I learned that community is truly enhanced through small acts.” Aside from being a standout student and role model to her peers, many of Kayla’s small acts at Soldotna High School and in the larger Soldotna community came through her countless hours spent volunteering—whether with National Honor Society, blood drives, for events at local elementary schools, or the local little league.
Kayla’s ability to excel in multiple fields of study and her driven goal of taking a wide-breadth of challenging courses ultimately resulted in her long-term aspirations to synthesize academic knowledge in the working world in order to make Alaska an even better place to live. She is proud of her choice to remain in Alaska, where her father taught her how to properly catch a trout, and attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) next year, seeking a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree with the long-term goal of a Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering. “With my advanced degree, I can not only become a rare female engineer, but also a female leader, inspiring similar young women to challenge occupational stereotypes and enter the field of engineering to pursue their passion for math and science.” Kayla aspires to eventually apply her skills in solving the unique engineering problems of Alaska, whether they are on the North Slope or through her own firm here at home. “This state has taught me that being a part of a community, whether it’s a large town or small village, not only requires participation, but also contribution and dedication.”
Soldotna High School

Haley Trefon, River City Academy #Classof2016

River City Academy
Haley Trefon

Haley is an outstanding, exceptional student in the Class of 2016. She began her high school career at Skyview High School, then Soldotna High School, and transferred to RCA her senior year, where Haley fit in beautifully and worked very hard to complete her standards.
She earned the Alaska Performance Scholarship and was awarded the first year tuition waiver at Kenai Peninsula College. For her service to the community she also received the Soldotna Rotary Scholarship. Haley participated in the United National Indian Tribal Youth conference her sophomore year and was chosen to attend the Youth Leader Conference at the White House in the summer of 2015. She has been recognized as an honoree in the UNITY “25 under 25” program of young leaders. A member of the Nondalton tribe, she participates in local activities with the Kenaitze tribe. Haley has been chosen t by the Student Conservation Association to be an intern at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park in Skagway in the summer of 2016. Her plans are to attend Kenai Peninsula College in the fall and purse a degree program in radiology. In addition to her education next year, she will be a youth intern at the Dena’ina Wellness Center in Kenai, Alaska.
River City Academy

Kelsey Meganack | Port Graham School #Classof2016

Kelsey Meganack
Port Graham School

Port Graham School is very fortunate to have Head Start in the building. The patter of little feet and giggles fill the hall throughout the day. In her senior year, Kelsey volunteered in the classroom and enjoyed helping students. She would often report about out how positive her experiences were in the classroom from activities such as helping teach a student to connect to MSLync to make a video call, or sharing the very important life skill of how to safely eat a lollipop—one lick at a time. Kelsey’s natural caregiving instincts will serve her well as she goes on to pursue post-secondary education in veterinary science.
Port Graham School

Krista Sinclair | Ninilchik School #Classof2016

Krista Sinclair, Ninilchik School

Class of 2016 valedictorian, Krista has been active in both volleyball and basketball all four years as well as being recognized on the all-academic teams each year. She graduates with a 4.0 GPA and 21 college credits through Kenai Peninsula College utilizing the KPB Jump Start program. Krista earned the UA Scholar Scholarship, the Alaska Performance Scholarship and was awarded the first year tuition waiver at Kenai Peninsula College (KPC).
She also participated in student council, honor choir, and the Close-Up program. In the community she has participated in 4-H, the Native Youth Olympics, and has volunteered in several activities at the Kenai Peninsula Fair Grounds. Krista will attend KPC next year and plans to major in Psychology. Her plans are to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, eventually transferring to the University of Oklahoma with the goal of graduating from the OU College of Law.
Ninilchik School

Nikolaevsk School #Classof2016

Nikolaevsk School

Nikolaevsk graduated nine seniors in the Class of 2016. While the staff and community are excited to see what the future holds for our nine seniors, we are inexplicably proud to see them graduate and enter into this next phase of their lives—especially because we have known most of them for their entire school career. Through the 13 years we’ve had these students in our school, we’ve seen these students work through personal and academic risk factors that some might say were insurmountable or impossible for any student to overcome. But, our nine overcame all the risk factors, grew in their academic performance and critical thinking, and have made achievable dreams for their future. We are proud of our students and their achievements and genuinely like them as human beings. We look forward to seeing them succeed as they attend University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, AVTECH in Seward, and begin careers in the fishing or retail industries. Our faith in their ability to achieve great things is the reason why Nikolaevsk was recognized as a National Title I Distinguished School—because these students are distinguished and well-prepared to enter into this world and make a meaningful difference.
Nikolaevsk School

Lavrentie Ukatish, Nanwalek School #Classof2016

Lavrentie Ukatish, Nanwalek School

Lavrentie Ukatish, or Larry, as most know him, will be going on to the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) to pursue his professional piloting credentials. Flying and taking a boat are the only two ways into his village of Nanwalek so Larry understands first-hand the important role bush pilots play for communities like his. Larry will be spending this summer doing an internship in Kenai with a pilot in order to receive valuable experience before heading to the classroom in the fall. Larry hopes that after his time at UAA he can work with a local air taxi.
Nanwalek School

Allison Steinbeck | Kenai Central High School #Classof2016

Allison Steinbeck [Kenai Central High School]

A Kenai Central High School graduate, who attended Kenai Middle School and Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science, Allison will leave quite an imprint on KCHS when she pursues her goals this coming fall. As a Kenai Central Kardinal, Alli has been a leader both in the classroom and on the court. Her dedication and hard work is an inspiration to younger students and peers alike. A three sport athlete, Alli has held the position of captain and been recognized on various levels for her athletic ability and leadership strengths. In the classroom she has seen nothing other than a 4.0 GPA and represented Kenai Central as one of the valedictorians, as well as the Masonic outstanding student of the year. All of this she has done while balancing athletics and student council roles of class President and Vice President over three years’ time. Alli hopes to leave behind a legacy that working hard is important to build strong character within your community. “I hope to inspire others to do their very best.”
Alli’s upcoming summer will have her working at her parents’ store before heading to Washington as a student at Gonzaga University. She will be pursuing a Biology degree as she starts her path towards a Doctorate in Dentistry. Due to her personal experience with a sports accident that had her frequenting the dentist office throughout her junior and senior year of high school, Alli hopes to, “help others and give people confidence” while pursuing her goal of owning her own practice as a dentist. She plans on doing this while settling down in a small community where she can continue to be a positive influence of hard work and dedication. Her words of encouragement to up and coming high school students is to “Be as involved and committed to your academics and extra-curricular activities as possible.” KCHS is thankful for the positive impact Allison Steinbeck has had on our students and staff alike and are excited for the positive future ahead of her.
Kenai Central High School

Melissa Bower | Kenai Alternative School #Classof2016

Kenai Alternative School
Melissa Bower

Melissa Bower, graduating from Kenai Alternative High School has enlisted into our nation’s military. Melissa will be joining the United States Army on July 18, when she heads to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Following basic training, PFC Bower will then go to San Antonio, Texas, where she will begin her formal training and studies to become a nurse in the military. Melissa joined Kenai Alternative High School after attending Soldotna High School. She was able to find great success with our school and now is planning on continuing her education through the military. After completing her four years with the United States Army, Melissa intends to enlist into the Peace Corps for at least one year. We expect to see great things in Melissa’s future.
Kenai Alternative School

Nolan Bunting | Homer High School #Classof2016

Homer High School
Nolan Bunting

Nolan Bunting is a one-in-a-million person. His appetite for knowledge is insatiable and spans virtually every discipline, be it academic or career and technical. Apart from earning straight A’s in the most rigorous classes Homer High School offers, including seven Advanced Placement (AP) classes, Nolan has also managed to build a résumé that looks more like a list of volunteer opportunities rather than anything anyone could have actually done, and done so well: Briggs and Stratton Master Service Technician, multiple state champion and team captain in both Drama Debate and Forensics (DDF) as well as in Skills USA, volunteer-extraordinaire for various local non-profits in the fields of marine biology, ornithology, and veterinary.
Nolan will attend Colorado State University (CSU) this fall to pursue pre-veterinary studies. His undergraduate education does not stand to cost him much money nor take him much time. He received local, state, and national scholarships, in addition to the merit-based award he will receive directly from CSU. And he’ll be entering as a college sophomore or better because he took classes at the local Kachemak Bay Campus, as well as being the most prolific AP tester in Homer High history—he took eight AP exams this year alone. We anticipate the faculty of CSU should be prepared to be impressed by Nolan Bunting.
Homer High School

Jenna Kilcher | Homer Flex School #ClassOf2016

Jenna Kilcher, Homer Flex School

2016 Jenna Kilcher second from left — Jenna Kilcher, Homer Flex School Class of 2016

When Jenna Kilcher enrolled at Homer Flex School, she was behind on credits and questioning the role education would play in her life. This year, she graduated with the Class of 2016, became a Certified Registered Nurse, and is determined to further her education and continue her path in the medical field. Jenna’s transformation from reluctant learner to head of her class came with a lot of hard work and determination, but with the support of her family, she persevered. Next year, she hopes to continue this trend at the Kenai Peninsula College. and eventually the University of Alaska, Anchorage.
Homer Flex School