Daily Sitka Sentinel

May 7, 2014 Community Happenings

Bake Sale Set
    For Noow Tlein
    Noow Tlein will have a bake sale 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Wells Fargo Bank lobby.
   
    STA Health
    Panel to Meet
    The Sitka Tribe of Alaska health committee will meet noon-1:30 p.m. May 15 in the STA Social Services building, 429 Katlian Street.
    Lunch will be provided. Attendees may take health concerns they would like to be addressed by the SEARHC board.
    Those wanting to join the health committee may call STA social services at 747-7293.

    Mini-Grants
    Are Available
    The Greater Sitka Legacy Fund has received $5,000 from the Rasmuson Foundation for mini-grants to Sitka 501 (C)[3] groups. Requests related to arts, social services, education, recreation, community economic or other development, or community-service projects are preferred.
    Grants are not available for individual scholarships, trips out of Sitka, or athletic team support. Application forms and information packets are available at Kettleson Library or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Application deadline is May 16.

SCIENCE SHARING – Students from Kent Bovee’s Sitka High School field science class present their projects at the third annual Sitka Student Science Sharing Night April 28. More than 70 people attended the event at the University of Alaska Southeast, Sitka Campus, where students from Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary, Blatchley Middle, Sitka High and Mt. Edgecumbe High schools presented science projects they have conducted this school year. Pictured left to right are Krista Meyer, Aly Trescham, Ellie Cagle, Gavin Holder and Jorge Bautista. The Sitka Science Sharing Night is sponsored by UAS-Sitka Campus, Sitka Conservation Society and the Sitka School District. (Photo provided)

    Kayaani Panel
    To Meet May 13
    Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Kayaani Commission will hold an open meeting 5:30 p.m. May 13 in the lobby of the Resources Protection Building, 429 Katlian Street.
    The Kayaani Commission is a group of community members and tribal citizens who are concerned with preserving and protecting plants and the traditional ways they are used.
    Those with questions may contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 747-7167.

    Summer of Heroes
    Takes Nominations
    Alaska Communications has announced its fourth annual Summer of Heroes program in partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Alaska.
    The program recognizes five young Alaska heroes, plus one from the employee program, who are making a difference in Alaska communities.
    Each of the selected heroes will be awarded a $1,500 scholarship and a trip tot he Alaska State Fair Aug. 24.
    The nomination period runs through July 15.
    For more information visit http://www.alaskacommunications.com/summerofheroes or an Alaska Communications retail store.

    Shhh! Party Set
    For Gene Prewitt
    Friends are planning a surprise 80th birthday party for Gene Prewitt, who has served Sitka since the early 1960s with  his school bus service, tourism businesses, funeral home and support of civic endeavors.
    The party will be Tuesday, May 13, at Centennial Hall. Those attending should arrive at 6:45 p.m.

    Transportation
    Plan Discussed
    The Sitka Tribe of Alaska Transportation Committee will meet noon May 12 at STA, 456 Katlian Street, Conference room.
    Topics will include: an update on the construction phase of the road improvement for ‘‘The RIDE’’ bus facility, turnaround, pullout on Indian River Road across from Peter Simpson Road; the bus maintenance facility project, public transit and tribal transit funding; application for a tribal transportation safety grant; and the Alaska Marine Highway System’s service to Sitka.
    Tribal citizens and interested public are being encouraged to attend. For any questions contact Gerry Hope, transportation director, 747-5910.

    Raven to Air
    ‘Wait Wait’
    The Sitka version of ‘‘Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me’’ will air 2 p.m. Saturday on Raven Radio.
    ‘‘Wait Wait’’ includes Ed Ronco as host, along with Owen Fulton, panelists Phil Burdick, John DePalatis and Collette Costa, as well as many contestants.

    SSMF Sets Work
    Party Saturday
    The staff and board members of the Sitka Summer Music Festival are seeking volunteers for the next four Saturdays in May to spruce up Stevenson Hall, 104 Jeff Davis. Musicians will arrive in June.
    The building is primarily in need of exterior painting and light carpentry, though some cleaning and other interior projects are needed.
    The first work party coincides with the May 10 100 Volunteer party on the SJ campus. Work starts on Stevenson Hall at 9 a.m.


This Week in
Girls on the Run
    Girls on the Run is an empowerment-based program for girls in third-fifth grades, currently in its sixth season at Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School. GOTR is more than an after-school activity; it is a program designed to bring girls together with strength and resilience and prepare them for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.
    To wrap up the GOTR season, participants have been focusing on the concept of community. Girls learned about different kinds of communities and the valuable role they each play in creating those communities through their own unique gifts and strengths. Then each team planned and carried out a community impact project: one team cleaned up trash and weeds on the school playground, and the other held a carwash for school staff. Here’s what participants said about communities:
    –“A community means a lot to me because people are caring and sharing with others to make a better place.”
    –“I think Sitka’s a really good community!”
    –“Communities run smooth with team work, supporting each other, sharing, caring, and when everyone has a part and everyone accepts each other for their differences.”
    –“You can make a difference in your community because small things make a difference – even bees, they’re really important to nature!”
    –“It’s important to give back to your community because the community does lots for you.”
    GOTR believes it’s important for young people to recognize they can make a positive impact on their community! Here are some conversation starters for talking with youth in your life about giving back to their community:
    –What is a community?
    –Everyone is unique and we each have strengths in some areas and struggle in others. What is a strength you can use to positively impact your community?
    –How does it feel when you give back to the community by helping another person or group of people?
    The Girls on the Run 5K Tutu Trot is this Sunday, May 11, 3-5 p.m. with the start and finish line at Crescent Harbor Shelter (tutus and bright colors are encouraged, but not required.) Community members are welcome to join in the 5K or be cheerleaders along the course. We are also looking for volunteers to help with this final celebration. Register as a volunteer at: tinyurl.com/Sitka-5K-2014. For more information, please contact Elena at 747-3370 for more information.
    Girls on the Run is brought to you in Sitka by Sitkans Against Family Violence.  

    Pops Night Set
    At Blatchley
    The community is invited to the Pops Night celebration May 15 at Blatchley Middle School.
    The commons open at 5:30 p.m. with a silent dessert auction and a display of student art and work. The pops concert begins at 6:30 p.m. and is followed by an ice cream social and the conclusion of the auction.
    The concert supports Discovery Week at BMS. Tickets are $6.

    Grants Available
    For Sitka Groups
    The Greater Sitka Legacy Fund has received $5,000 from the Rasmuson Foundation for mini-grants to Sitka 501 (C)[3] groups. Requests related to arts, social services, education, recreation, community economic or other development, or community-service projects are preferred.
    Grants are not available for individual scholarships, trips out of Sitka, or athletic team support. Application forms and information packets are available at Kettleson Library or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Application deadline is May 16.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SHELDON JACKSON MUSEUM SPRING EVENTS
    The Sheldon Jackson Museum is celebrating spring with the annual Native Studies Exhibition of artwork by fourth grade students, the beginning of the Native Artist Demonstrator Artist-in-Residence Program, the regularly scheduled At Saxan Third Saturday Program, several lectures, International Museum Day and Sheldon Jackson’s birthday.
    Every year students from Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School study Alaska Native cultures and visit the Sheldon Jackson Museum and create their own art inspired by their museum visit and class lessons. The students make a variety of pieces every year. This year, students from the classes of Jan Love, Mindy Bartolaba, Jeremy Peterson and Kristin Karsunky shared art inspired by the book ‘‘Goodbye Island,’’ written by Jean Rogers and illustrated by Rie Munoz, that also made pieces including traditional women’s knives or ulus, Tlingit octopus bags, Unangan (Aleut) and Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) hunting visors, Unangan basketry, and Inupiaq and Athabascan sled models.
    The exhibition will be up May 6-10. Receptions with cookies for students, their teachers, and parents were to be  today for Jan Love’s class; 1 p.m. May 8 (Mindy Bartolaba and Kristine Hole’s classes); and 9 a.m. May 9 (Kristin Karsunky and Jeremy Peterson’s classes).
    The museum’s first artist-in-residence is Yup’ik skin sewer and artist Peter Williams. He will be at the museum working in the gallery and available to answer questions most mornings and some afternoons May 14-17. On May 11 at 3:30 p.m., he will give a reading titled “To Talk with Animals.” The lecture will touch upon the artist’s spiritual relationship with nature. The event is free and all are invited.
    On May 17, the museum will host its At Saxan Third Saturday program. The family-friendly, free youth program is best for ages 6-10 and happens every third Saturday at 1 p.m. For May’s At Saxan session, children will have an opportunity to see dance fans or finger masks in the museum’s collection and to create their own Yup’ik dance fans. Registration is required and can be arranged by calling 747-8981.
    In observance of International Museum Day and Sheldon Jackson’s birthday on May 18, the museum will invite all visitors to take advantage of free admission all day and to attend a curator’s talk at 1p.m. on Sheldon Jackson, his life and collecting.
    Summer hours begin May 11 and are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. General admission is $4 and students under 18 are admitted free. The Sheldon Jackson Museum is at 104 College Drive.

    Eagle Court
    Of Honor Set
    Members and former members of Troop 44, Cub Scout Pack 26 and Eagle Scouts in the community are invited to the Eagle Court of Honor for Conner Fish 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Sitka Lutheran Church.
    Friends of the family are also welcome to attend. Those with questions may call Eve Fish 747-2667.


    Kaagwaantaans
    Set Practice
    Sitka Kaagwaantaan Dancers will practice 3 p.m. Sunday, May 11, at Blatchley Middle School in Room 114.
    Those with questions may call Roby at 738-4004.


    Mt. Edgecumbe High
School to Graduate 86

    Eighty-six Mt. Edgecumbe High School seniors will graduate in a ceremony to be held 10 a.m. May 8 at the Sitka Performing Arts Center.
    The featured speaker of the commencement address is Michael Mahoney, a science teacher at MEHS. The valedictorian is RaeAnn Patkotak from Barrow. The salutatorian, Bobbie McNeley of Nelson Lagoon, will offer an address. The senior class has selected Doug McClenahan of Sitka and Deirdre Creed of Kotzebue as student representative speakers.
    Supt. Randy Hawk will give the welcome, and academic counselor Joel Leuders will make the presentation of awards. Teachers will present diplomas. Parents will be honored during the ceremony.
    The marshals for the ceremony were chosen by the senior class. They are Taryn White of Hoonah and Anthony Lekanof of St. George Island. Ushers are Brittany Woods Orrison of Fairbanks, Millie Nanouk of Unalakleet, JoAllyn Johnson of Kotlik, John Hunt of Emmonak, and Corbin McGinty of Kaltag.
    The class motto is “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Class colors are cardinal and gold, and a red rose is the class flower.
    Those attending graduation are invited to join graduates, friends and family for a luncheon at the MEHS student cafeteria after the ceremony.
    Baccalaureate will be held 7 p.m. on May 7 at the Assembly of God. Jack Davis, a teacher at MEHS, will offer the address. Dolena Fox of Bethel and Doug McClenahan of Sitka will give student testimonies.
    A reception will follow at the church.
    The graduates include Shanelle Afcan of Nunam Iqua, Alyssa Agnes of Nulato, Brittany Akaran of Kotlik, Edmund Akaran of Kotlik, Suvluuraq Akpik of Barrow, Daniel Alexie of Mountain Village, Jacob Alirkar of Toksook Bay, Amanda Andrew of Bethel.
    Also, Freda Berlin of Anchorage, Nicholas Bouker of Dillingham, Allan Brooks of Tok, Claudia Castillo of Anchorage, Karina Catalone of Manokotak, Tricia Charlie of Bethel, Joshua Chernikoff of Ouzinkie, Shad Commack of Anchorage, Jasmyn Creasey of Aleknagik, Deirdre Creed of Kotzebue, Trevor Creed of Kotzebue, Frankie Demantle of Anchorage, Donald Edenshaw of Hydaburg, Thomas Ervin of Tok, Treva Esparza of Barrow, Conner Fish of Sitka, Larissa Flynn of Chefornak, Dolena Fox of Bethel, Lauren Fredericks of Anchorage.
    Also, David Furber of Anchorage, Ashley Garnie of Teller, Martha Grady of Anchorage, Mahlet Herrmann of Dillingham, Kara Ingram of Dillingham, Jewel Jackson of Sand Point, Pearl Jackson of Sand Point, Lillian Jenny of Sitka, Austin Johnson of Bethel.
    Also, Cole Johnson of Tok, Terrell Jones of Deering, Andrew Karmun of Nome, Corby Kasayulie of Bethel, Macy Kenworthy of Kotzebue, Sharmaine Kewan of Port Lions, Joshua King of Ekwok, Rickelle Kitka of Sitka, Nissy Kopanuk of Chevak.
    Also, Naomi Larson of Nunapitchuk, Amy Leavitt of Barrow, Luke Leinberger of Ouzinkie, Aspen Magnuson-Shepherd of McGrath, Douglas McClenahan of Sitka, Kaci McCrea of Bethel, Bobbie McNeley of Nelson Lagoon, Casey Menadelook of Nome, Tilani Meyers of Sitka and Angoon, Mark Morry of Anaktuvuk Pass, Brandon Nelson of Kotzebue, Francine Nicholai of Napaskiaq, Nickolai Nichols-Hall of Anchorage, Annie Nicoli of Ekwok, Robert Nielsen of Anchorage, Jarred Olin-Duncan of Galena.
    Also, Amber Ongtowasruk of Wales, Felisha Orsborn of Anchorage, Ayisha Oscar of Anchorage, Aurora Owen of Klawock, RaeAnn Patkotak of Barrow, Christopher Pleasant of Nunapitchuk, Stephanie Randall of Sitka, Renee Romer of Kipnuk.
    Also, Ashley Sagoonick of Unalakleet, Huey Samuelson of Bethel, Tomas Simon of Anchorage, Auna Springer of Bethel, Taylor Stumpf of Craig, Kayleen Teeluk of Kotlik, Sherrilyn Teeluk of Kotlik, Tselane Tinker of Pilot Station, Vera Tinker of Pilot Station, Oscar Villasenor of Anchorage, Deborah Walunga of Gambell, Denae Warnke of Unalakleet, Samantha Weaver of Sitka, Cody Weisz of Tok, Trevor Wiseman of Chefornak, and Jason Young Soldotna.