RURAL ALASKA HONORS INSTITUTE GRADUATES 51

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 1999

Fairbanks, Alaska - Fifty-one students participating in the six-week Rural Alaska Honors Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will take the final step next week that marks the end of this summer's academic bridging program.

The popular summer program, founded in 1983, helps prepare rural Alaska Native and other high school students for college. Graduation ceremonies for RAHI students are set for July 9 in Room 201 of UAF's Natural Sciences Building at 1 p.m., followed by a public reception at the Wood Center upper terrace at 3 p.m.

At graduation, students will be formally recognized for their academic achievements. Heather Kendall-Miller, a UAF graduate and attorney who works with the Native American Rights Fund in Anchorage, is the keynote speaker. She has worked on several Native American Rights cases including the U.S. Supreme Court hearing on Indian Country.

RAHI features a high-powered, full university academic program focusing on writing research papers. The program also offers college courses in chemistry, study skills, business management, mathematics, Alaska Native studies and computers. Students can take additional courses in Alaska Native dance and swimming.

Each RAHI student will graduate next week with eight or more UAF credits for their efforts and start a university transcript toward bachelor's degree requirements.

"We wish to improve students' academic and study skills through a robust academic program, balancing this with a residence program that builds peer support and social skills that help students cope with the difficult transition from village to university," said RAHI program director Jim Kowalsky. "We emphasize and reinforce the need for each student to value and rejoice in his or her own culture and the other diverse Alaska Native cultures that are represented in the RAHI program."

Alaska Native cultures represented this summer include Tsimshian, Tlingit, Alutiiq, Sugpiaq, Upper Kuskokwim Athabaskan, Central Yup'ik, Siberian Yup'ik, Inupiaq, Ahtna Athabaskan and Koyukon Athabaskan.

To attend, students must be college-bound juniors or seniors in high school with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Ninety students applied this year for admission into the program.

RAHI was launched seventeen years ago at the urging of the Alaska Federation of Natives to help increase the opportunity for rural Alaska Native students to succeed in postsecondary education.

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Note to Editors: A list of RAHI students who are graduating is attached.

CONTACT: RAHI Program Director Jim Kowalsky, (907) 474-6886 or (800) 478-6886, or by email: fyrahi@uaf.edu.

JCS/6-30-99/99-085

RAHI 99 Students

1. Nathan Andrew  Pilot Station   

2 Loretta Andy  Newtok   

3. Iknaay Apatiki  Gambell   

4. Yodean Armour  Klawock   

5. Sonya Ash   Nanwalek   

6. Carly Ashby   Metlakatla   

7. Candice Auliye  Unalakleet   

8. Marganna Avugiak Chefornak   

9. Marcus Avugiak  Chefornak   

10. Johanna Bauman  Fairbanks   

11. Michelle Bavilla  Togiak   

12. Deanna Beans  Mountain Village  

13. Jeremiah Brower  Haines   

14. Lolene Buck   White Mountain  

15. Richard Busch  Sitka/Homer  

16. Paul Crane II  Emmonak   

17. Sheldon Dock  Kipnuk   

18. Crystal Duncan  Sitka    

19. Andrea Durny  Nulato   

20. Rose Fitka   Marshall

21. Norman George  Akiachak   

22. Freeda Gibson  Minto    

23. Theo Golden  Stony River   

24. Michael Gust  New Stuyahok  

25. Jeremy Gustafson  Ruby    

26. Eva Harvey   Noorvik   

27. Barbara Hlavacek  Haines   

28. Jared James   Yakutat   

29. Shelley Johnson  Unalakleet   

30. Melanie Johnson  Bethel   

31. Crystal Johnson  Unalakleet   

32. Seralee Kairaiuak  Kwigillingok  

33. Oscar Kapatak  Koliganek   

34. Kristian Kasayulie  Akiachak   

35. Ben Lane   Point Hope   

36. Robert Lohse  Kenny Lake   

37. Melinda Moto  Deering   

38. Kendra Nanalook  Togiak   

39. Elena Pleasant  Bethel   

40. P Paul Pletnikoff  Dillingham   

41. Denise Riley   Napaskiak   

42. Minerva Ryan  Metlakatla   

43. Brandon Saito  Kotzebue   

44. Melody Shangin  Anchorage   

45. Blassi Shoogukwruk White Mountain  

46. Stacey Stasenko  Shishmaref   

47. Angela Totemoff  Tatitlek   

48. Jason Valley   Metlakatla   

49. Tonya Vanderpool  McGrath/Northway 

50. Herschel Warner Jr Yakutat   

51. Randall Yates  Ketchikan