FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 16, 2000

Fairbanks, Alaska – Forty-two high school students will get a head start on college next week as participants in the 18th annual Rural Alaska Honors Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The well-known six-week "academic boot camp" begins May 27 and features a mix of eight to nine credits of college courses with a supportive residency environment designed to make students feel comfortable with living and working on a college campus.

The program, sponsored by UAF’s Alaska Native Studies department, is aimed at improving access to postsecondary education and increasing the likelihood of college success, according to RAHI program director Jim Kowalsky.

RAHI features strong writing and study skills components, which complement electives in business, mathematics, chemistry, and computer science. The computer science elective is a new addition to the program this year, supported by a grant from IBM, who has also loaned 14 desktop computers for students to use in the RAHI residence hall.

The RAHI curriculum also features a practical applications computer course, a swimming class, and a very popular course in Alaska Native dance.

"All courses are offered for full university credit, enabling high school students to begin an early university transcript to meet some of the requirements for an academic degree," Kowalsky said.

RAHI began in 1983 at the request of the Alaska Federation of Natives to improve the chances for college success for rural Alaska Native students, but participants also include urban and non-Native students. This summer, students will converge on the UAF campus from communities at the farthest corners of the state— from Metlakatla and Kaktovik to Barrow, Arctic Village to Akutan— and many villages in between.

According to Kowalsky, RAHI strives to reinforce the diverse Alaska Native cultures represented by students in the program and works to create a strong community of learners who support each other.

"That bonding and mutual peer support is really at the heart of our program," Kowalsky said. More than 750 students have completed what Kowalsky calls a "college dress rehearsal."

Program alumni have enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs, including medical school. Other graduates rank in the professional workforce, including teachers, engineers, men and women in business, accountants, nurses, social workers and biologists. Some are members of the military or employed in education-related fields and other professions.

The program finale is a cap and gown graduation open to the public on Friday, July 7th at 1 p.m. in UAF’s Natural Science Facility. This year’s keynote speaker will be Alaska State Representative Albert Kookesh of Angoon.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: A detailed list of this year’s RAHI participants is attached.

JCS/5-16-00/00-078

1. Ramona J. Akelkok Bettles senior

2. Irving Ashenfelter White Mountain junior

3. Mary E. Bryant Haines junior

4. A. Lee Bryant Haines junior

5. Phillip Carscallen Dillingham junior

6. Allen E. Childs Skwentna senior

7. Larissa E. Christensen Port Heiden junior

8. Kimberly Curtis Toksook Bay junior

9. Ben Doleshal Barrow senior

10. Crystal A. Flores Bethel senior

11. Crystal A. Frank Arctic Village senior

12. Theo Golden Stony River senior

13. Trisha Gray White Mountain junior

14. Rochelle Graybeal Northway junior

15. Priscella Joe Tetlin junior

16. Annie Kokeok Shishmaref senior

17. Walter W. Kookesh Angoon senior

18. Vanessa M. Lincoln Toksook Bay senior

19. Mack Moore Manokotak junior

20. Samantha Nicholai Kongiganak junior

21. John G. O’Neil Hydaburg junior

22. April D. Pelkey Akutan junior

23. Ginger Perry Shaktoolik junior

24. Charlene Pilot Galena junior

25. Margaret Pletnikoff Dillingham senior

26. Alicia M. Rexford Kaktovik junior

27. Sherman E. Richard Wales junior

28. Dana Salmon Chalkyitsik junior

29. Brett A. Smith Eagle River junior

30. Kristen R. Smith Kotzebue junior

31. Fannie M. Soplu Kaktovik junior

32. Deanna Strunk Quinhagak junior

33. Joseph Thomas Fort Yukon senior

34. Olianne Tinker Kasigluk junior

35. Rocky Tooyak Eagle River/Point Hope junior

36. Angela K. Totemoff Tatitlek senior

37. Desiree A. Ulroan Chevak junior

38. Robert W. Vanderpool Red Devil junior

39. Alicia R. Vent Huslia senior

40. Karah Vial Togiak junior

41. Brenda A. White Metlakatla junior

42. Melanie M. Wholecheese Allakakeet junior

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