FORTY-TWO STUDENTS GRADUATE FRIDAY FROM RAHI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2000

Fairbanks, Alaska - Forty-two students will complete the Rural Alaska Honors Institute's 18th annual summer academic program Friday, July 7 at 1 p.m. with a formal cap and gown graduation ceremony in room 201 of the Natural Sciences Facility on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. The guest speaker for the event will be Albert Kookesh, Alaska State Representative from Angoon.

During the ceremony, students will be recognized for their academic achievement during the program's six-week campus residency. Each student completed eight or nine credits of university course work while experiencing life on an urban campus.

RAHI was organized in 1983 at the request of the Alaska Federation of Natives to increase the opportunity for college success of Alaska Native students who live in rural Alaska.

"We’re a sort of dress rehearsal for college," says program director Jim Kowalsky, "but the difference is that these students earn real grades that go on a permanent university transcript with long term benefits for academic performance."

Students compete by application to be admitted to RAHI, which is sponsored by UAF’s Alaska Native Studies Program. The curriculum is built around required courses in writing and study skills, and includes elective courses in computer science, chemistry, mathematics, business management, a practical computer course, Alaska Native dance, and swimming. Academic courseload is balanced with a residence program that emphasizes community, responsibility, cultural reinforcements and practical campus and urban survival skills.

This year's graduation ceremony is open to the public and will be followed by a reception at 3:30 p.m. in UAF's Wood Center.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: A complete list of RAHI 2000 graduates is attached.

CONTACT: Jim Kowalsky, RAHI Program Director, at (907) 474-6886.

JCS/6-30-00/00-93

RAHI 2000 Roster

1. Ramona J. Akelkok     -     Bettles
2. Irving Ashenfelter     -     White Mountain
3. Faith Beaver     -     Kongiganak;
4. Mary E. Bryant     -     Haines
5. A. Lee Bryant     -     Haines
6. Phillip Carscallen     -     Dillingham
7. Allen E. Childs     -     Skwentna
8. Larissa E. Christensen     -     Port Heiden
9. Kimberly Curtis     -     Toksook Bay
10. Ben Doleshal     -     Barrow
11. Crystal A. Flores     -     Bethel
12. Merle Fortune II     -     Dillingham
13. Crystal A. Frank     -     Arctic Village
14. Theo Golden     -     Stony River
15. Trisha Gray     -     White Mountain
16. Rochelle Graybeal     -     Northway
17. Annie Kokeok     -     Shishmaref
18. Walter W. Kookesh     -     Angoon
19. Vanessa M. Lincoln     -     Toksook Bay
20. Mack Moore     -     Manokotak
21. Samantha Nicholai     -     Kongiganak
22. John G. O’Neil     -     Hydaburg
23. April D. Pelkey     -     Akutan
24. Ginger Perry     -     Shaktoolik
25. Charlene Pilot     -     Galena
26. Margaret Pletnikoff     -     Dillingham
27. Sherman E. Richard     -     Wales
28. Dana Salmon     -     Chalkyitsik
29. Martha Shane     -     St. Paul Island
30. Brett A. Smith     -     Eagle River
31. Kristen R. Smith     -     Kotzebue
32. Deanna Strunk     -     Quinhagak
33. Joseph Thomas     -     Fort Yukon
34. Olianne Tinker     -     Kasigluk
35. Rocky Tooyak     -     Eagle River/Point Hope
36. Angela K. Totemoff     -     Tatitlek
37. Desiree A. Ulroan     -     Chevak
38. Robert W. VanderpoolRed Devil
39. Alisha R. Vent     -     Huslia
40. Karah Vial     -     Togiak
41. Brenda A. White     -     Metlakatla
42. Melanie M. Wholecheese     -     Allakakeet