by Cynthia Andrecheck
University of Alaska Fairbanks Kuskokwim Campus is pleased to announce its Student of the Year Awards. Full-time Student of the Year Award was presented to Amber Ac’urunaq Evan from Kongiganak, AK.
After having graduated from Ayagina’ar Elitnaurvik High School in Kongiganak in 2017, Amber is completing her Associate of Arts degree in April 2021. She plans to continue her higher education by working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Rural Development, with a minor in Creative Writing. She feels that by earning a degree in Rural Development she will be better prepared to give back to her community of Kongiganak and help it to become a better place.
Just this month, Amber’s poetry was published by Alaska’s nonprofit for writers, 49 Writers, during National Poetry Month and can be viewed at https://49writers.org/2021/04/2021-poetry-broadside-submission-15-mindscape-by-amber-evan-kongiganak.html.
Amber enjoys her freedom at KuC to take up new interests and hobbies. Besides taking classes, Amber is learning to play the piano, paint on canvas, do digital drawing, and play ping pong. She also loves playing chess with Resident Director John John “because he’s so good.” Reading for pleasure is something else she enjoys, especially Manga!, Japanese comics which she finds at the library.
KuC is close to home for Amber and “feels like a safe place.” She has the opportunity to experience things here which are different from working in a village. She finds KuC to be very supportive, from its advisors and staff to its instructors, counselors, dorm staff and other students.
Adjusting to college life can be hard and stressful, she says, but people are capable of adapting and changing. She tries to deal with situations as they arise so they won’t become bigger problems later on. Amber’s advice to new students is that ”even if you hit bumps and your instinct is to stop – just keep going.”
KuC’s Part-time Student of the Year Award was given to Deborah A. Acitmuq Michael, currently residing in Bethel but originally from Kwethluk, AK. Deborah is the epitome of persistence and perseverance.
In 1986 she participated in KuC’s Institute of Language and Thought while still in high school. After graduation in 1987 she went on to college in Durango, CO, for a couple of years until life interrupted her studies. Since then she has earned a certificate as a Community Wellness Advocate from UAS (2008), an RHS Certificate (2014), and an AAS degree in HUMS (2016), both from KuC. Following the academic pathway provided by the RHS/HUMS/BSW program, Deborah will earn her Bachelor’s of Social Work in April 2021.
Deborah has held many positions over the years from substitute postmistress in Kwethluk to accountant for Kwethluk, Inc. to working at the Tundra Women’s Coalition (TWC) in Bethel, “a womens’ resource center and shelter for battered women and sexual assault victims.” But it was when she joined the RHS program that her focus began to change and her vision became clearer.
After listening to a speech at a KuC commencement made by her uncle Oscar Alexie, the two challenged each other to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree. It took Oscar 28 years and Deborah a little bit longer!
KuC is like family. Everyone is here to support her and the other students in a friendly and welcoming environment, a very different experience from other schools she has attended. Deborah advises don’t be afraid to make mistakes, ask for help when you need it, and have fun while learning. You may go through many challenges, but they will help you see what you’re made of and who you are.
“I had a very difficult year,” states Deborah. “There are people and agencies I need to thank for their financial and moral support: AVCP EET Program, RHS Program, Dr. Diane McEachern, Ted and Janice Michael, Annette Coyle, Pete Christian and Katherine Eischen, Elizabeth and Lenny Rupert, Annie Gregory and family, Joanne Jackson and family, Samantha Jackson and family, Carla and Pete Suskuk, Leanna Isaac, Daisy Mae Barrera, Kathleen Naneng, Gerald Anvil, DeShan Foret, and my family in the RHS/HUMS/BSW programs.”
She credits her success to the holistic and culturally-relevant nature of the RHS program: “I can bring my whole self.” KuC’s motto says that KuC is a good place to start. Deborah says that now she knows “it is a good place to finish too.”
