Winners in the Elizabeth Peratrovich essay contest for students K-12 received their prizes today from sponsors Alaska Native Sisterhood and Alaska Native Brotherhood.
Karen Lucas, ANS Camp 4 secretary, said Elizabeth Peratrovich coins were given to each of the place winners, and cash prizes to classes.
At Sitka High, Liam Laybourn placed first; Brayden Wood second; and Evangelina Estes and Katie Elder tied for third. Dylan Sulser won an honorable mention. All are in Kersten Christianson’s English I classes.
At Blatchley High, eighth-grader Olivia Skan was the only entry.
At Keet Gooshi Heen, winners in Rosann Gagner’s fifth-grade class were Kensie Phippen, first; Rosie Bahna, second; and Addy O’Patchen and Koen Hirai were tied for third.
Keet winners in Kristin Karsunky’s fifth grade class were Ruby Jean Dunn, first; Olive Kubacki second; and Zey Loki Joseph third.
Liam Laybourn’s essay, “A True Hero,” read:
“Did you ever want to be a hero, make a difference in the world, change people’s views about important matters while helping people realize their potential, and use the power of words to make the world a better place? If you did, would you know how to begin, where to start, or what to do?
“Elizabeth Peratrovich did all these things. She was well educated having attended both Sheldon Jackson College and Western College of Education in Washington. She worked for many years with the Alaska Native Sisterhood (ANS) to bring attention to the issue of discrimination. She lobbied Alaska state lawmakers. Most famously she was instrumental in the passage of the first anti-discrimination law in the United States (the Alaska Equal Rights Act) in 1945. Previously, Alaska Natives were segregated and not allowed equal access to services and goods including a separate educational system and the denial of access to public areas such as theaters and playgrounds.
“During the bill’s introduction, Elizabeth Peratrovich spoke for two hours, and her testimony was critical to passage of the bill. Her response to senator Allen Shattuck’s statement, ‘‘Who are these people, barely out of savagery, who want to associate with us whites, with 5,000 years of recorded civilization behind us?’’ changed the narrative of the debate when she said,’’ I would not have expected that I, who am barely out of savagery, would have to remind gentlemen with five thousand years of recorded civilization behind them, of our Bill of Rights.’’
“Elizabeth Peratrovich was a very special person, but it took more than will to accomplish her goals. Her actions were a culmination of her life’s experiences and efforts. I believe that her role as a leader in the ANS, her advanced education, and her years of fighting for what she believed in, helped her develop eloquence and insight. It gave her the effectiveness and credibility that allowed her to have the impact she did. As I think about how I might make changes in the world, Elizabeth Peratrovich inspires me, not only to make the effort, but also to build the appropriate skills through education, community service and leadership.”
In his essay, Braydon Wood wrote: “She made me remember that to do something that needs to be done you need to just do it. You don’t just sit around waiting to have someone help you, sometimes you need to do it yourself.”
Evangelina Estes wrote “Being denied of basic rights, like being able to buy a house where they wanted, encouraged Elizabeth to stand up and fight for justice. Now she is rightfully honored and recognized for the amazing things she has accomplished.”
Katie Elder pointed out, “For a better world it starts with each and every one of us; we should all follow in Elizabeth Peratrovich’s footsteps; she forged a path that I can follow. I may not be fighting for racial equality, but there are still plenty of things to fight for.”
In his essay, Kayden Wathen wrote “Elizabeth Peratrovich was known for knitting while attending legislative sessions. She stood up during the public comment period, put down her knitting, and responded: ‘I would not have expected that I, who am barely out of savagery would have to remind the gentlemen with 5,000 years of recorded civilization behind them of our Bill of Rights.’ She went on to describe the discrimination the Tlingit people had endured, at which point Shattuck asked her if she thought the bill would end this treatment. Peratrovich replied: ‘Do your laws against larceny and even murder prevent those crimes? No.’ She received a round of applause and the bill passed.”
Another high school student, Kelly Fredrickson, wrote that Peratrovich “is another person to help me have hope and believe in myself that if I feel there is something wrong in this world I would have the bravery, confidence and courage to fulfill my goals and dreams. Elizabeth is a woman and Native that inspires everyone to do their best, fight for what’s right.”
Greta Suminski wrote: “The world will never be perfect, but she sure did play a major role in helping get us closer. Today she is celebrated every February 16 in Alaska for fighting for equal rights among Alaskans.”
Blatchley’s Olivia Skan essay, “Elizabeth Peratrovich: A Hero,” read:
“A hero is ‘‘a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.’’ Elizabeth Peratrovich was, and still is, a hero of war. This war was not fought with physical weapons, but emotional ones. The refusal to sit next to one with darker skin because they ‘‘smelled,’’ the sideways glances that told the receiver exactly what you were thinking, and the refusal to consider beings who have the same rights as you, equals. These are the things that all Native Americans, people of color, and anyone different must stand up against. Elizabeth Peratrovich saw and experienced these things, and she stood up and fought against them. As the Grand President of the Alaska Native Sisterhood, Elizabeth Peratrovich showed true courage as she battled for equality around the world. She used logic and reasoning in the face of the Senate to make them understand that they had the power to take the first steps in diminishing discrimination.
“Elizabeth Peratrovich showed that she was a true hero in every step of her life. Orphaned at an early age, she beat the odds and proved to the world that she deserved to go to college, make a life for herself and her husband, and eventually go on to speak in front of the Senate about the topic she held the most passion for, equal rights. Even near the end of her life, Elizabeth Peratrovich displayed noble qualities, battle breast cancer for two years, until the end of her life in 1958. We must remember the women that stood up for our rights, her heroic actions will be recalled in history with those of MLK, Rosa Parks, and her beloved husband Roy Peratrovich. Thank you, Elizabeth Peratrovich, for being the hero that won the war.”
Keet’s winning essayist in Rosann Gagner’s class, Kensie Phippen, wrote:
“Elizabeth Peratrovich was a Native American who lived in Juneau, Alaska. Elizabeth was a person who fought for civil rights for Native Americans. Elizabeth was not allowed to go into stores, shops and movie theaters because of the color of her skin. She wanted to stop racism for Native Americans and many more people.
“In February, 1945, Elizabeth had enough of racism. She fought for Native Americans rights with a speech with many people listening. Elizabeth finally got her wish later in Juneau, Alaska. Racism was finally over for Native Americans. Elizabeth was happy it was finally over.
“Elizabeth was born in Petersburg, Alaska. The day she was born was July 4, 1911. When she was older she moved to Juneau, Alaska. She was 47 when she died on Dec. 1, 1958, in Seattle, Washington.
“For me when I heard about Elizabeth my mom told me if she wasn’t there or what she did I wouldn’t be able to go to a normal white school, but I would have to go to a native school for natives. Because me and my family are a little Native and we love Elizabeth for doing that.”
Ruby Jean Dunn, the first place essayist in Kristin Karsunky’s class, wrote: “Elizabeth was an amazing woman. She is one of the most inspiring women out there, and this is because she is the reason Alaskan natives have equal rights, and I know you’re thinking ‘What? I thought they always were respected and loved!’ But they were not always treated like the royalty that they are, in fact when Elizabeth first moved to Juneau there were signs that said ‘No dogs No natives!’ That wasn’t even the worst of it, when America bought Alaska from Russia, they said that the Alaska natives would get equal rights, but they broke that promise by separating natives from ‘civilized’ people! I honestly think the natives were more civilized when the people who decided that respecting your ancestors is considered ‘uncivilized.’ Therefore Elizabeth ending this makes her a legend.
“Elizabeth Peratrovich has changed my life by inspiring me to stand up for who I am and what I believe. Elizabeth Peratrovich is one inspiring and amazing person.”
Also entering at Keet was Madison Skan, a fourth grader in Dianne Chong’s class.
