School Project
Dear Editor: How are you today? My name is Mackenzie L. I am a fifth-grade student at Intermediate School in Harlan, Iowa. In my social studies class, we are studying geography and the history of the United States. I was so excited when I got your state. I would appreciate it if you could send me some pictures, a souvenir, brochures and some information about your wonderful state.
My teacher Mrs. Newlin would absolutely like a car license plate for a school project (if possible.) Thank you.
Mackenzie L.,
Mrs. Newlin’s S.S. Class,
Harlan Intermediate School,
1401 19th Street, Harlan, IA 51537
Wearable Arts
Dear Editor: As a part of Discover Your Potential week at Blatchley Middle School, the Sitka Sound Science Center was lucky enough to teach a session in partnership with the Greater Sitka Arts Council. The class was Wearable Arts, and all of the students that participated had a chance to create their own wearable arts creation to model in the upcoming Wearable Arts Runway Show Extravaganza.
This class was an absolute blast and there are several people we would like to thank, because we could not have pulled it off without them.
First, thanks to Jeff Budd and the Greater Sitka Arts Council for providing the funding to purchase supplies and materials for the students, and for putting together the runway show. We would also like to thank Cheryl Vastola, who donated her own time, creativity and materials to help the students turn their great ideas into complete outfits. Without her sewing assistance and fashion expertise, we would have been lost.
I would also like to thank the White Elephant, who kindly agreed to open during special hours so that the students could purchase clothing to build their outfits. In addition, we would like to thank Emjay Messinger and Andrea Pitz, who volunteered their time to help the kids put together their outfits. Finally, Kari Sagel, who put in countless hours organizing DYP week and making it such a huge success.
Thank you all, and we hope everyone comes out to the Wearable Arts Runway Show and Extravaganza.
Margot O’Connell
Marine Debris Project Coordinator, Sitka Sound Science Center
AmeriCorps Volunteer
Sitka High Activities
Dear Editor: It has been an exciting and eventful year as the new activities director at Sitka High School. As the fall sports and activities are coming to a close, I look forward to the spring sports and activities beginning.
I would like to take the time to thank the parents, coaches, staff and businesses in town for supporting all of our activities. Sitka offers a variety of sports and activities that rival any big school in the state of Alaska. The activities offered at Sitka High School and the outpouring of community support makes Sitka a special place to live for students and parents!
Thanks to the students who have put in the hard work and dedication to their sports and activities. Being a student athlete takes discipline, commitment, academics; it builds and fosters leadership, teamwork and sense of pride. Thank you students for coming and participating in sports/activities and for being a positive reflection on our school and community.
To the coaches that put in the extra hours to support our student athletes through fundraising and coaching: cross country coaches Shasta Smith and Jeremy Strong; volleyball coaches Natalie Voron, Karen Krupa, Kelly and Kevin Boddy; drama and debate coaches Stefanie Ask and Cassidy Patnoe (Coach of the Year for DDF); swim coaches Ben Adams, Alex Dailey and Susan Ross; football coaches Beau Hedrick, Jeffery Richards, Thad White, Brandon Siaz and Ryan Gluth; music, Sarah Martinson; wrestling coach William Patrick; girls basketball coaches Sondra Lundvick, Richard Krupa and Mindy Bartolaba; boys basketball coaches Andy Lee, Randy Nutting, Thad White and Matt Love; and robotics, Scott McArthur.
A special thanks to the following individuals – Keith Perkins, Chris Voron, Andy Lee and Mike Vieira for volunteering their time announcing throughout the different activities this fall. Also to the referee’s association for being flexible and adapting to the game schedules for each sport and activity.
A big thanks to Lesa Way and Amber Roberts of SEAHRC for distributing prizes throughout the basketball season. Thank you to Scott Calhoun of Coca-Cola for the donation of drinks and shooting T-shirts at the games. To all the gate volunteers, concession workers and people behind the scenes that make our sports possible, thank you. Good luck to our girls and boys basketball that will be participating in the Region V Basketball tournament in Ketchikan March 3-6, to make it to the state competition in Anchorage, March 17-19.
LieuDell Goldsberry
Sitka High Activities Director
Invasive Species
Dear Editor: Protect our fish from alien species.
With the Board of Fish meeting in Sitka this week, salmon and herring management strategies are the talk of the town. So let’s not forget to discuss the invasive species in Whiting Harbor that could harm our ecosystem and damage our fisheries if state and federal agencies continue to drag their feet.
Didemnum vexillum, or “D vex” for short, is an invasive sea squirt that latches onto oyster nets, shellfish beds, herring spawning sites, and sensitive marine environments. And it spreads. Fast.
D vex was discovered in Whiting Harbor back in 2010 and has the potential to spread throughout much of the Sitka Sound if left untreated. So far, bureaucratic gridlock has prevented any significant action from being taken to eliminate this invasive species. While the Board of Fish will wrap up its discussions next week, let’s all remember that many pressing fisheries-related issues will continue to demand our attention and action long after the meeting adjourns.
Sitka Conservation Society
Banff Mountain Films
Dear Editor: On Wednesday night, the Performing Arts Center was packed again for the return of the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Passionate, inspiring nights like these are made possible by a lot of effort behind the scenes. PAC provides top-notch equipment (and staff) that meet the high standards that make it possible. The volunteers running the films (big job!) were Francis Wegman-Lawless and Brian Richardson. Our Banff “road warrior” stayed at the Totem Square Inn that provided incredible, first-rate accommodations. It takes a supportive hand from KIFW, KCAW, Sentinel and all the businesses that hang posters for us. Old Harbor Books continues to provide an incredible service selling tickets for our events, and Russell’s and Yellow Jersey Bike Shop donated generous prizes for the crowd.
Proceeds from the festival go to a variety of non-profits that will motivate and inspire folks to actively meet their fitness goals through the Hames Wellness Fund, stretching themselves through personal and group exercise, sports, and challenging elements such as the climbing wall and slackline.
Thanks to all who came and joined in that night! You made it a great success and together we will be able to keep the Banff Film Fest coming and goodness happening throughout Sitka!
We already look forward to next year,
The Banff Film Festival
Sitka Committee:
Jeff Budd, Caitlin Blaisdell,
Kari Sagel, Rob Woolsey
and Cindy Edwards
