UAF to recognize 38th class of RAHI graduates

July 7, 2020

Jeff Richardson

The University of Alaska Fairbanks will honor the 2020 graduates of the Rural Alaska Honors Institute with an online ceremony starting at 11 a.m. on July 10.

RAHI students normally spend the summer living and taking courses at UAF’s Troth Yeddha’ campus in Fairbanks. This year, a class that included 36 high school juniors and seniors from 23 communities participated in a fully online curriculum, due to COVID-19 restrictions.

During the six-week session, students earned as many as 10 UAF credits in subjects like Alaska Native language, biomedical research, business, chemistry, education, library science, process technology, study skills and writing. Beyond these courses, they forged friendships, developed self-discipline, became comfortable with asking for help, and dedicated themselves to the pursuit of knowledge.

Since its inception in 1983, RAHI has prepared nearly 1,800 students for the rigors of higher education. Graduates have gone on to earn more than 1,100 degrees from not only from the University of Alaska but also other institutions such as Harvard, Yale and Brown universities, Dartmouth College and the University of Notre Dame.

A virtual graduation ceremony will be available to view online on July 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at https://bit.ly/2020RAHIgrad, followed by an awards ceremony from 1:30-3 p.m. at https://bit.ly/2020RAHIawards. This year’s RAHI students will make research presentations on July 8 from 2-3 p.m. at https://bit.ly/2020RAHIresearch.

RAHI is supported by the University of Alaska, the UAF College of Rural and Community Development, and the UAF Biomedical Learning and Student Training program. Sponsors include Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., ConocoPhillips, First National Bank of Alaska, Wells Fargo, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and private donors. RAHI students participate in the program at no cost.

The 2020 RAHI participants included Agnik “Shylah” Schaeffer, Kotzebue; Aleutia Peters, Unalaska; Alyssa Nayokpuk, Fairbanks; Andrea Storer, Anchorage; Autumn Madison, Kotzebue; Benjamin “Ben” Brown, Denali Park; Bladmher “Blad” Mondina, Unalaska; Brianna Ivanoff, Unalakleet; Carlee Merriner, Galena; Devin Ticket, Selawik; Ermelina Gonzalez, Anchorage; Iris Paul, Kipnuk; Jacob Cook, Healy; Jade Balansag, Wrangell; Jenna Alkhabi, Ketchikan; Julia Kaltenekker, Tok; Kevin Tran, Unalaska; Kirsten “Breezy” McLain, Galena; Kylie Rose-Wooton, Kake; Lauryn Garnie, Teller; Leena Robinson, Nenana; Lizzie Tran, Unalaska; Lucas Parker, Kodiak; Macey Witrosky, Nome; Marinolle Acoba, Unalaska; Marjorie Hingsbergen, Selawik; Meagan Johnson, Nome; Payton Commack, Unalakleet; Reagan Young, Sitka; Rebecca “Becki” Basile, Healy; Shayla Fuller, Dillingham; Taylor Vantrease, Kake; Terra Hoyt, Wrangell; Tia Patkotak, Anchorage; Vivian Nguyen, Unalaska; and William Sallison, Saint Marys.