Education
Congratulations Seldovia Graduates! Part V of V – Aydana Omar
by Jenny Chissus
This week, we are honoring our 5 Seldovia graduates, Alexandria (Xandria), Aydana, Chaela, Kaitlyn and Taylor! 5 beautiful girls with 5 stories to share about their Seldovia experience in school and community! This is part I of V in a series this week! Graduation will be held at Susan B English school on May 20, 2014 at 4:00pm in the school gymnasium and all are welcome to celebrate with our graduates and families!
There is one exception as Aydana Omar will be leaving Seldovia for Kazakhstan on Monday, the day before graduation, so there will be a Community Graduation/Certificate Ceremony for her on Sunday, May 18th at the Sea Otter Community Center at 4:00pm, with a potluck to follow – and all are welcome!
Congratulations Aydana!
Gazette: What is your “Seldovia” story?
Aydana: My Seldovia story. Well, I didn’t even know about existence of Seldovia until last year. I was that lucky one who was chosen to live in this unique community. 1 year ago I would never imagine myself living in foreign country without my parents. But God gave me the chance to experience another life here in Seldovia.
I guess everybody has their Seldovia story. Mine is unique because I am an exchange student. I found out that I was coming to Alaska, Seldovia April 28th last year. I will be honest, I got scared, so did my parents, because I thought that Alaska is very cold, winter weather the whole year and I knew all those stereotypes about Alaska that a lot of people do. At first my parents refused to let me come here. They said that they would gladly allow me to go if it was another state. The rule of my program is that you can’t choose a family and can’t change it just because you don’t like the town or state. So, my parents said no, and as a temperamental teenager, I locked myself in the room and refused to talk to my parents. They thought about that for couple days and allowed me to go later. I arrived in Alaska on August 8th, and it was love at first sight. As I flew over the Alaskan mountains, I was fascinated by the amazing view.
Being in Seldovia gave me a lot of advantages. I was the part of co-ed volleyball team, basketball team, cheerleading crew and became Homecoming Queen! A lot of other exchange students from big cities like Anchorage ask me how do I like Seldovia ‘cuz it’s so small and there are no malls and movie theaters. And I always say “Seldovia is the most incredible and unique place and back in Kazakhstan I can go to lots of movies and malls but that will never replace walking at the beach, bonfires at the beach, driving a bike in town, breathing fresh cool air”.
Gazette: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Now, as a Senior – what do you want to be when you grow up? How has that changed?
Aydana: When I was little I had a dream to be a singer. When I became older I wanted to be a doctor. Well, I guess, my parents wanted me to be a doctor. They got everything planned. They thought that I would graduate high school, apply to medical university with scholarship and study there for 9 years. I kind of ruined their plans by doing an exchange year. I told them that I don’t want to a doctor. Now I want to study in US college for business and management and open my own little business and expand into a big company. That is my next dream after my dream to become an exchange student! Now I accomplished my first dream and I will start working hard to accomplish my second one.
Gazette: What are some of your favorite school memories? Seldovia memories?
Aydana: I have a lot of treasured school and Seldovia memories. My absolute memorable moments are the sport seasons and trips. I played basketball and volleyball and I got to be in a lot of places in Alaska. I love my teammates and it was so much fun travelling with them. When the entire high school travels together, that means there will be a lot of laughter and fun moments. I remember driving through the tunnel when we were going to Whittier. Everybody stuck their heads from the windows and started shouting really hard. I remember me and Jenna going to Dimond Center Mall and wearing the same pink onesies just to have fun. Jenna was my bus buddy and roommate buddy and it was so much fun with her. I remember bonfires with my friends at Outside Beach. I had an amazing year, here in Seldovia.
Gazette: What are your plans this summer? This next year?
Aydana: When I go back home, I will take my high school graduation exam. Afterwards I will move to the capital city, Astana, to study and live with my sister. I will find work there to raise money to buy my own apartment. I want to take free year after graduation to figure out everything, where I want to study, etc.
Gazette: Growing up requires a lot of help – who do you want to thank? Who made a big impression on you and has influenced you in a positive way? Who deserves a “Virtual Rose”?
Aydana: I would like to thank my host parents Shad and Tiffany Haller for helping me throughout my senior year. I am thankful to the Seldovia community for every single effort they’ve made to make our sports team trips possible. Thanks to my teammates and coaches for inspiring, teaching and making me better. I would like to thank Susan B. English school staff for their effort in my senior year. And thanks to my parents for raising me, dealing with me and helping in making my dreams come true!
Gazette: What would you do with your life if you KNEW you could not fail?
Aydana: If I knew that I couldn’t fail I would totally travel around the world. I would backpack the Europe first. I want to volunteer in Peace Corps. Travelling is my passion!
Gazette: Final thoughts?
Aydana: I’ve been here for only a year but I got everything I could possibly get from Seldovia. I will never forget peaceful and kind people who surrounded me, my beautiful senior girls, and Seldovia generally. It doesn’t matter where I will be, where I will live, Seldovia will always be my second home!
Congratulations Seldovia Graduates! Part IV of V – Alexandria Lauren Swick
by Jenny Chissus
This week, we are honoring our 5 Seldovia graduates, Alexandria (Xandria), Aydana, Chaela, Kaitlyn and Taylor! 5 beautiful girls with 5 stories to share about their Seldovia experience in school and community! This is part I of V in a series this week! Graduation will be held at Susan B English school on May 20, 2014 at 4:00pm in the school gymnasium and all are welcome to celebrate with our graduates and families!
There is one exception as Aydana Omar will be leaving Seldovia for Kazakhstan on Monday, the day before graduation, so there will be a Community Graduation/Certificate Ceremony for her on Sunday, May 18th at the Sea Otter Community Center at 4:00pm, with a potluck to follow – and all are welcome!
Congratulations Xandria!
Gazette: What is your “Seldovia” story?
Xandria: I was born in Homer but was raised in this itty bitty town for all my eighteen years and have loved every minute of it. I know kids my age say they don’t like this town or can’t wait to leave it, but honestly I love this little town and plan on living here for the rest of my life. I love Seldovia because to me, it is so beautifully simple. I’m a small town girl and this small town is just perfect for me. This community is so helpful and a part of everything, it makes me feel like I have one big family.
Gazette: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Now, as a Senior – what do you want to be when you grow up? How has that changed?
Xandria: When I was younger I wanted to be a figure skater but my dream was shattered when I realized I didn’t know how to figure skate. I quickly got over it and moved on to wanting to be paleontologist and then it was an archeologist and then a CSI. Now even though I am still interested in bones and such, I seem to be more into being a Forensic Psychologist or a Personality and Behavioral Psychologist. I am also into writing and have always enjoyed writing stories and creating characters. Of course I am also still waiting for my Hogwarts letter that must have been lost in the mail. (A girl can dream right?) Over the years I have thought and thought about what I wanted to be when I grow up and it seems to always change, so I am going to embrace not knowing right now and live life. One thing that I know I want to be for sure is a mom. (Not right now of course!) People say being a mom is the best job in the world, and one day, many years from now, that will be the job I want. But I have some things to do before that.
Gazette: What are some of your favorite school memories? Seldovia memories?
Xandria: This year was by far my favorite year of school. It’s just been my happiest year overall and it has left me with so many great memories. Most of my favorite memories come from sports trips like the mixed six volleyball trips or the basketball trips. This year we traveled with the boys every time so it was nice, the atmosphere was a bit even. This year we all got to know each other very well just from spending so much time together in school and on the weekends on sports trips. I am going to miss all those trips because so many of my cherished memories were made on them. We all have our inside jokes and stories about something funny that happened on them and those memories will always be with me. Like the time we stayed at KPC for regions and when the boys won regions. Or the time the girl’s team upset Lumen at regions. I will miss the long ferry rides, traveling by bus, early morning wake up calls, McDonalds/ Taco Bell/ Subway stops, and perhaps, what I will miss the most is the excitement we all share after our team gets a victory.
Gazette: What are your plans this summer? This next year?
Xandria: This summer, like always, I will head out to my 2nd home on Kalgin Island and set net fish at my family’s fish camp. I also plan on relaxing a little and enjoying the bliss of FINALLY being done with high school. I will return in August and head up to Kenai where I will be going to KPC. I am going in undecided on a major at the moment but hope that my first year away from home and seeing my options will help me figure out what I want to do.
Gazette: Growing up requires a lot of help – who do you want to thank? Who made a big impression on you and has influenced you in a positive way? Who deserves a “Virtual Rose”?
Xandria: I want to thank my family: My Mom and my Dad for raising me right and my three older brothers Keith, Jeff, and Griffin for being the best older brothers a girl could ask for. I want to thank Jen for being a great volleyball coach and for being like the older sister I never had. I want to thank all my grandparents for passing down their wisdom and sharing their experiences. I would also like to thank all my teachers that I’ve had over the years for teaching me and putting up with me all these years. My best friend Lily has always been there and has always made me smile. I would like to thank my god parents Peni and Toby for being there and sharing their lives with me. Thank you to Shad and Tiffany Haller for being amazing coaches and for giving me the best senior year in basketball. Thank you to all my friends in high school! I will miss every single one of you next year!
I would also like to thank the community and everyone in town. You may not know it but in some way whether it be big or small you have all helped me become the person I am today. Thank you so much for everything you have done.
Gazette: What would you do with your life if you KNEW you could not fail?
Xandria: Uh If I knew I couldn’t fail? Hmm, I think I would become a billionaire. I know money can’t buy you happiness, but what the heck it sure buys you a lot!
Gazette: Final thoughts:
Xandria: In the end I am so thankful that I grew up in this town and got to be a part of such a beautiful place. The memories I have made along the way will last a life time and I will always cherish them. I may be leaving and going to college but Seldovia will always be my home. So thank you all again for everything. And finally after all these years of waiting (since kindergarten) I am finally graduating! YAY!
Congratulations Seldovia Graduates! Part III of V – Kaitlyn Hecks
by Jenny Chissus
This week, we are honoring our 5 Seldovia graduates, Alexandria (Xandria), Aydana, Chaela, Kaitlyn and Taylor! 5 beautiful girls with 5 stories to share about their Seldovia experience in school and community! This is part I of V in a series this week! Graduation will be held at Susan B English school on May 20, 2014 at 4:00pm in the school gymnasium and all are welcome to celebrate with our graduates and families!
There is one exception as Aydana Omar will be leaving Seldovia for Kazakhstan on Monday, the day before graduation, so there will be a Community Graduation/Certificate Ceremony for her on Sunday, May 18th at the Sea Otter Community Center at 4:00pm, with a potluck to follow – and all are welcome!
Congratulations Kaitlyn!
Gazette: What is your “Seldovia” Story?
Kaitlyn: Seldovia has been my home my whole life. So, in a way, my life so far, is my “Seldovia Story”. Growing up in a small community has given me the opportunity to be a part of the family like atmosphere that we have here. They have seen me grow up and been there through the good and the bad, I honestly couldn’t imagine of growing up anywhere else.
Gazette: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Now, as a senior what do you want to be when you grow up? How has that changed?
Kaitlyn: Growing up, I can safely say I didn’t exactly know what I wanted to be. I can remember wanting to be a doctor or even a lawyer at some point. Like every other teenager, there were times I wanted to just run away and travel the world. However, being young it wasn’t something that bothered me especially since I thought this day would never come.
However, now as the last few days of being a senior are here, I think that has completely changed, even though there are times when running away to explore still sounds nice ?. But, now I can say that I have a clearer idea of what I would like to do because I have a better understanding of who I want to be. It has changed greatly from what I might have pictured as a child, because it’s not a doctor or a lawyer but going into the field of business instead.
Gazette: What are some of your favorite school memories? Seldovia memories?
Kaitlyn: Sitting here now, with the idea that my “high school experience” is almost over it is very hard to choose my favorite memories. During high school I just wanted it to be over, but now that it is, it’s honestly not only exciting but also frightening.
The last four years I have gotten the chance to wander the halls of Susan B. English with the most amazing people. From singing the words of Believe by Cher with Seth in class until we got in trouble or to the volleyball trips or my first and only year of basketball. They are all special times that are completely unforgettable.
Gazette: What are your plans this summer? This next year?
Kaitlyn: This summer is going to be both an interesting and exciting one for me. It will not only be summer, which is already exciting, but it is kind of the next chapter of our lives. I really don’t have too much planned this summer, since I am be expecting the birth of my son in the beginning of summer. Mostly I am looking forward to that, and enjoying the lovely weather that summer brings. Other than that, the only plans that I have are to soak up the sun with Taylor as she takes on her new adventure with her Main Street Munchies stand. When it comes to next year, I will be starting online college classes in August working towards my Business degree. I am very excited to take the first step in my education and work towards my Associates degree in Business.
Gazette: Growing up requires a lot of help, who do you want to thank? Who made a big impression on you and has influenced you in a positive way? Who deserves a “Virtual Rose”?
Kaitlyn: I personally wish there was a way to give a rose to everybody, because at one point in time every single person in this community has been there for me in some way.
However, I really owe my mother a big thank you and way more than a rose. For eighteen years she has put up with me through thick and thin. And now, even though I am technically an adult she is still right there by my side when I need anything. I know there are days when we didn’t see eye to eye and she probably imagined running away herself, but I really have to thank her for not giving up. Without her, I honestly don’t think I would be where I am today. My mother has pushed me to get up every morning and be the best person I could be, as well as helping me to believe in myself. I can only hope that one day I am as strong as she is.
I would like to thank the Haller Family, as in only four short years since they moved to Seldovia, they have become my second family. They have been there since day one without hesitation. I am very glad to have you guys in my life and it is hard to believe it all started with a text message from Taylor about two months before they moved here. I couldn’t imagine not having you guys around!
I would like to thank my teachers and the staff at Susan B. English. Without the push from everyone I don’t think I would have made it to where I am today.
Mrs. Bornheimer has been a huge part of my life since my first day of Kindergarten and even though I have had only one class with her during the past four years, she still manages to keep me on track. She has been there to push me when I wanted to give up, and knows EXACTLY when I am trying to avoid something that I should be doing. She has been a major part of keeping me on track and helping me get where I am today.
Ms. Montgomery is another teacher that I owe a ginormous thank you to. She has not only been there to make the day better and keep you laughing but she has been there with the push and help that I have needed.
Ms. Sensenig has been another teacher that has helped push me through high school to get to this day that is approaching. She came to Seldovia during the time in my life that running away and exploring was what I wanted to do; she helped me realize that school is important and that with the effort I could make it to this day. I really appreciate that, and the day that I never thought would come, is here.
Mr. Derks, It’s hard to believe that it has only been two years, but you made an impression since the first day. Not only were you were able to make science class a memorable hour, but you took a huge leap against everyone’s judgment and coached the girls basketball team. To be honest, that season will NEVER be forgotten. I want to thank you for everything you have done.
I would like to thank my senior class for making this past 170 days not only very special, but fly by, because that’s what happens when you’re having fun! I would like to thank my other classmates for making the year memorable and unforgettable because without you guys the years wouldn’t have been so fun.
Again, I wish I could thank everybody in this community because everyone in Seldovia has had an impact on my life at some point. But as my teachers already know, I can get pretty wordy and this response is getting quite long. So, to everyone I didn’t get to mention, I am sorry, just know that you do deserve a thank you and a “virtual rose”!
Gazette: What would you do with your life if you KNEW you could not fail?
Kaitlyn: Personally, I don’t know if I would change anything at the moment. But in the future I would love to get out there with my best friend, Taylor, and start the restaurant that we always talk and dream about having.
Gazette: Final thoughts?
Kaitlyn: To be honest some of these questions were harder to answer than the work I have been doing the previous months! Haha! I am excited for this next step but it is hard to believe that this time in our life is already over. We are all starting out in new directions in our lives but I really hope we can still keep in touch over the next however many years.
But now, the next chapter of our lives begins!
Congratulations Seldovia Graduates! Part II of V – Chaela Ogle Hilts
by Jenny Chissus
This week, we are honoring our 5 Seldovia graduates, Alexandria (Xandria), Aydana, Chaela, Kaitlyn and Taylor! 5 beautiful girls with 5 stories to share about their Seldovia experience in school and community! This is part I of V in a series this week! Graduation will be held at Susan B English school on May 20, 2014 at 4:00pm in the school gymnasium and all are welcome to celebrate with our graduates and families!
There is one exception as Aydana Omar will be leaving Seldovia for Kazakhstan on Monday, the day before graduation, so there will be a Community Graduation/Certificate Ceremony for her on Sunday, May 18th at the Sea Otter Community Center at 4:00pm, with a potluck to follow – and all are welcome!
Congratulations Chaela!
Gazette: What is your “Seldovia” story?
Chaela: My Seldovia story leads back to my large family. My biological grandpa grew up in Seldovia and was a successful fisherman. My biological mom and her siblings also grew up here. Currently, I have more family members (though not blood related) that live in Seldovia, and they are the reason I moved here when I was 10. Paula and Gavin welcomed my brother and me into their home when things didn’t work out to live with other families in Anchorage.
Gazette: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Now, as a Senior – what do you want to be when you grow up? How has that changed?
Chaela: As a kid I always wanted to be a lawyer, because that was the dream of one of my older foster sisters. Now, I am hoping to get into some form of medicine or follow the path of working with children. I love working with kids because they are so eager and excited about so many things, that we as adults see as simple. Its nice to have children around you in work because honestly at times it feels as if I am still a kid.
Whether that be teaching Head Start, or becoming a nurse, I’m not 100% sure. Dreams change as you grow up and learn more about yourself. I do know that I love to be able to help people and work with children, so I would like to pursue employment in those areas.
Gazette: What are some of your favorite school memories? Seldovia memories?
Chaela: There’s a lot of school memories that I can’t recall right this second, but one of them is when I met my sister Devon for the first time. It was memorable meeting Devon because truthfully, at first, we did not get along. And then when we got to know each other, we became best friends. Little did we know that from that friendship my brother and I would be adopted into a very loving family. Another memory I cherish is our East Coast trip in 2012 with the entire high school history class. We went to New York and saw the Statue of Liberty, among many other interesting and historic places. We had so much fun together. And of course Marina was a huge part of my high school memories as she’s been such a great friend through thick and thin.
Gazette: What are your plans this summer? This next year?
Chaela: I’m continuing to work the same job I had last summer, which is working with the children at Cha’nik’na children’s house. I am also going to be watching a little boy while his dad goes fishing and will definitely enjoy the new responsibility of that! This next year my main goal is to enjoy life outside of high school, as my plans aren’t set in stone. However, another huge goal I have is to make a successful move and to live on my own. I may end up going to college but right now I am enjoying my freedom.
Gazette: Growing up requires a lot of help – who do you want to thank? Who made a big impression on you and has influenced you in a positive way? Who deserves a “Virtual Rose”?
Chaela: There’s so many people who have helped me get to where I am today. My Hilts family, the Hoards, the O’Learys, the Gains, the Chissus family, my grandma Martha Ogle, Marina Chissus, Ginger Moffet, Sirena Turner, Kaitlyn Hecks, Mariah Turner, and Matt Rurka. Most importantly is my brother Hoyt Ogle who has always believed in me and been a good influence on positivity in my life.
Gazette: What would you do with your life if you KNEW you could not fail?
Chaela: I would definitely be a pediatric surgeon!
Gazette: Final thoughts?
Chaela: Growing up in Seldovia has been a blessing and I am so glad I ended up where my family roots are. And no matter what people say, you’ll miss it when you leave. I’ve been told it’s okay to not know your entire life plans as a young adult, and I am hoping that is true. So for now, I am sticking to enjoying my new freedom and the new sense of responsibility.
Seldovia Time
