Emily Koziczkowski
Kenai Central High School
Class of 2017
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
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
Azary Reutov
Kachemak-Selo School
Class of 2017
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
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
Jul 17
12
Ben Peck | Hope School #Classof2017
Class of 2017
Ben Peck
Hope School
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
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
Class of 2017
Juan Sarmiento
Homer High School
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
omer High
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
Class of 2017
Homer Flex School
Larion Kuzmin
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
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
Class of 2017
Connections Homeschool
Patrick Napier [Connections Homeschool]
Using dual credit and Jumpstart opportunities at Kenai Peninsula College (KPC), Patrick Napier earned 33 college credits over the last two years. Approximately one third of Patrick’s high school credits were taken through our Connections Homeschool dual credit program. Patrick’s GPA while earning college credits was a very high 3.88!
While completing a full academic load, Patrick exhibits a friendly demeanor and approach to customers at his full time job at Safeway. He’s traveled to 20 countries, and works to become a good global citizen. For the past three years he pursued missionary work in Uganda and East Africa, working and living in the slums trying to better the lives of impoverished children.
Patrick Napier is an exemplary student that has made the most of his high school education.
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District www.KPBSD.org
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
KPBSD celebrates our diverse schools and students!
Be inspired by #Classof2017 graduates–follow the links to read the rest of the story!
Patrick Napier [Connections Homeschool]
Using dual credit and Jumpstart opportunities, Patrick Napier earned 33 college credits over the last two years. He’s traveled to 20 countries, and works to become a good global citizen. For the past three years he pursued missionary work in Uganda and East Africa, working and living in the slums trying to better the lives of impoverished children. http://bit.ly/2uEwirL
Larion Kuzmin [Homer Flex School]
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. His January graduation ceremony was a celebration of all his hard work! http://bit.ly/2vGxhEN
Juan Sarmiento [Homer High School]
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. 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. http://bit.ly/2uH0C4t
Ben Peck [Hope School]
Ben Peck 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. http://bit.ly/2tL2kOo
Azary Reutov [Kachemak-Selo School]
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. http://bit.ly/2uf8OqD
Emily Koziczkowski [Kenai Central High School]
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. 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. http://bit.ly/2ufWyYu
Terence Paul Swenning [Nanwalek School]
Terence Paul Swenning shows exceptional determination, talent, and perseverance. Rather than taking a solely academic route through his schooling, he demonstrated the ability to finish school with attention to academics, artistry, and athletics. Ambitious, 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. http://bit.ly/2uH0v9d
Vera Fefelov [Nikolaevsk School]
Graduating summa cum laude with a GPA of 4.105, an incredible work ethic academically and athletically, through hard and focused work Vera is graduating one year early to 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. Advice for her schoolmates: “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!” http://bit.ly/2ufE5Ly
Michale Meyers [Nikiski Middle-High School]
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, with 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. http://bit.ly/2vp9J86
Mikayla Clark [Ninilchik School]
Through the I-team process Mikayla started taking both math and language arts classes for high school credit and didn’t stop there. She sits on the State Future Farmers of America (FFA) team and travels 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. She will attend the 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. http://bit.ly/2tkyRLJ
Rick Jager [Port Graham School]
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. http://bit.ly/2tv0INg
Izabeau Stalkfleet Pearston [River City Academy]
Class of 2017 Valedictorian Izabeau Stalkfleet Pearston has been a cornerstone of River City Academy since seventh grade. Izabeau graduates with a 3.98 GPA and a total of 16 college credits through JumpStart at Kenai Peninsula College (KPC). Her completed college courses include college algebra, trigonometry and communications. Izabeau has earned the University of Alaska Scholars Scholarship, the Alaska Performance Scholarship and a partial tuition waiver from Kenai Peninsula College for next year. http://bit.ly/2uNRj3x
Logan Smith [Seward High School]
Logan Smith is a tinkerer. This curiosity led him to all things tinkering that Seward High had to offer—shop, metals, woodworking, and so forth. Logan also has a natural aptitude for mathematics. This made him a logical candidate for Seward High’s engineering course called Project Lead the Way. It was here that his talents combined to truly find his niche—and make Seward High better in the process. Logan’s work ethic, commitment to studies, and contribution to Seward High was also recognized by the University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF), who accepted him into their early admission engineering program where he will begin his post-secondary education in the fall. http://bit.ly/2uNP5S6
Jackson Blackwell [Soldotna High School]
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and Soldotna High School have provided me and many other students with countless opportunities. Over my thirteen years in the district I have been challenged to excel and make a difference within the school and greater community. I credit my many teachers and the KPBSD staff for allowing many students, like myself, to find opportunities and challenges that engage and make us all better global citizens. I have excelled and will be starting my studies at Boise State University this fall where I am enrolled in the Honors College and plan to receive a double major in Political Science and Economics. Following undergraduate studies, I hope to attend Law School and focus in Constitutional and Resource Law. Following Law School, I hope to move back to Alaska to practice Resource Law and ultimately be involved in State politics. http://bit.ly/2vpmG1C
Gavin Elvsaas [Susan B. English School]
Gavin Elvsaas grew up in Seldovia and is part of the graduating class of 2017 at Susan B. English School, the same school from which her mother, aunts and uncles, cousins, and other relatives graduated. She is a self-possessed, kind-hearted, and passionate girl who has made her family and community proud. As a K-12 school, Susan B. English provides opportunities for students to become leaders and role models for much younger students, and Gavin is both. She worked as a classroom aide in the K-6 class this year, helping kids with their reading and math. She has earned her Emergency Trauma Technician certificate and aced her anatomy class, and she plans to pursue a career in the medical field. http://bit.ly/2uEFkoO
David Kalugin [Voznesenka School]
School, football, and Project Grad are important parts of David’s life, but so is his family, and commercial fishing. For the last two summers David was a captain on his family’s fishing vessel, and prior to that he spent several years as a deckhand. However, David does not have an interest in making fishing his livelihood, rather, his dream is to become an industrial electrician. He is currently working towards an apprenticeship in this field. He has liked electronics since he was a little boy, and earned respect by repairing inoperative cell phones. http://bit.ly/2tkhdrl
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
State funding set for public education
Soldotna, June 23, 2017—The Alaska State Legislature adopted a budget which includes Status Quo K-12 education Base Student Allocation (BSA) funding for the 2017-2018 school year. Superintendent Sean Dusek said:
“Now that the legislature has come to a budget agreement for K-12 funding, we are able to move forward to prepare for the new school year beginning August 22, 2017. We will fill open teaching positions as best we can, and hope to have a full staffing recommendation for the school board to consider soon. We thank and appreciate the efforts of our legislators and local leaders in this process. We thank our staff, families, and community members who invested time and effort to learn about education revenue and expenditures, as well as advocate to the legislature and borough on behalf of our excellent schools in the KPBSD.
It is our hope that future funding for K-12 education will be decided much earlier in the process to avoid the uncertainty of programs and opportunities for our students experienced during these past several months. We will continue to work with the legislature to fulfill the goal of a sustainable, responsible, long-term fiscal plan that will allow Alaska to continue to be a vibrant and attractive state in which to live.”
HB57 is awaiting transmission to the Governor, and the next step in the legislative process is for the Governor to sign and adopt the budget.
Links
- Employment in the KPBSD – apply now
- The Alaska State Legislature webpage
- Office of the Governor, 2017 Legislative Session, Bills Submitted
- CCS HB 57: Appropriations: Operating Budget/Loans/Funds
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, Communications Liaison, 907.714.8888, communications @ KPBSD.org
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Posted in News Release by .
STEM Camp in Kenai
One nonstop week, 34 KPBSD students, community volunteers and instructors make a definite buzz in Upstream Academy, a STEM camp for Title VI middle school students! May 29 – June 3, 2017, students from throughout the KPBSD lived at the Challenger Learning Center in Kenai, Alaska, to take part in the weeklong overnight camp which emphasized up and coming drone technology. Title VI funding made the camp possible, free of charge to students, with each being able to take home their own Parrot Mambo mini drone.
Design and build
Engineers from Homer Electric Association, Tesoro, and Conoco Phillips volunteered their time to help students learn to fly and code their drones through an obstacle course designed to simulate medical aid drops in needed areas.
Career
In addition to learning about and working with drones, the students took part in field trips to the Kenai Peninsula College, where they learned about the paramedics and process technology fields.
Heritage
Students were able to learn about their heritages through visits to the K’beq Cultural Center, and the Dena’ina Wellness Center, plus participation in a talking circle led by Dena’ina staff.
Technology and public safety
Alaska State Troopers were on site with their SWAT team robot and Bear Cat, where students learned about how technology can be used to keep Troopers and civilians safe in difficult situations.
Exploration and connection
Additional activities included a field trip to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, a Challenger Center Mission to Mars, a community service project with the City of Kenai, and recreation times at Jumpin’ Junction, Mountain View Elementary gym and playground, and the Kenai Central High School pool.
The week-long camp ended after a family BBQ at Spirit Lake on June 3, 2017, where campers said goodbye to newly made friends and asked camp staff if they could come back next year! Plans are in the works for future Upstream Academy camps.
Story contributed by Rachel R. Pioch, KPBSD Migrant Recruiter, Skyview Middle School, Title VI Tutor, Native Youth Leaders Advisor
Connect on Facebook: KPBSD Native Education Program
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“Skyview Middle School (SMS) is the first school in Alaska to be designated with national Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) recognition,” said Natalie Kant, Skyview Middle School counselor. This year 104 schools from 27 states will receive this designation.”
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) established RAMP to promote exemplary school counseling programs. The Skyview Middle School (SMS) counseling program uses leadership, advocacy, and collaboration skills to make a difference for all students. Through a collaborative effort involving the counselor, students, parents, teachers, administrators, community leaders and other stakeholders, the counselor develops and delivers a comprehensive data driven ASCA National Model program that benefits every student. The counseling program promotes individual student growth and systemic change, leading to bridging gaps in overall achievement, opportunity, and attainment.
“This year’s RAMP honorees have shown their commitment to students and the school counseling profession,” said Jill Cook, ASCA assistant director. “These schools used data to drive their program development and implementation so all students can achieve success. RAMP designation distinguishes these schools and encourages school counselors nationwide to strive for excellence.”
The RAMP designation is awarded for aligning with the criteria in the ASCA national model. In addition to completing a required information section, RAMP applicants must document their efforts across twelve different areas, including:
- create a school counseling program philosophy and mission statement
- develop school counseling program goals
- utilize a school counseling program advisory council
- implement outcomes-based classroom and small group programming
- conduct what ASCA refers to as “closing the gap” activities
“I am so proud of the SMS counseling department,” said Sarge Truesdell, principal. “The Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) application process was rigorous to say the very least. Ms. Kant’s desire to align our counseling program to the RAMP model and to make changes at SMS based on what is best for students is what makes her such an amazing school counselor. While we are the first school in the state of Alaska to be recognized as a RAMP model school, I hope other KPBSD schools will follow our lead and go through the process. It really is what’s best for kids.”
“In short, Skyview Middle School is being recognized for aligning the work they do to the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) National Model,” said Kant. “The counseling department put together evidence based research to support what SMS has in place for student support and success. The application submitted was 27 pages long with 102 attach supporting documents. I believe this recognition happened because the amazing leadership on the district team, our principal Mr. Truesdell who without a doubt supports me and the vision and mission of KPBSD, the SMS advisory council, the entire staff at SMS, my district counseling colleagues, and the support from my husband and family.”
SMS school counselor Natalie Kant will receive the RAMP award on July 10, 2017, during an awards presentation.
Links
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