Tag: Susan B. English
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 I of V – Taylor Morgan Haller
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 Taylor!
Gazette: What is your “Seldovia” story?
Taylor: When I was younger, my dad was in the army for 13 years, so we moved around a lot, and I do mean a lot. Before we moved to Seldovia we spent a few years in Washington. My parents came to us kids and we had a family meeting. We, as a family, decided we were going to move to Seldovia. June 28th we came off of the Kennicott into this beautiful town and that is when my life changed.
I can remember getting off the boat in the car and Kaitlyn and a few other people were standing there to wave to us. A part of me missed Washington, but a part of me knew that I was home.
Being in Seldovia has let me do things I would never be able to do. For example, walk around town with my friends or stay out till midnight on teen night. I remember the first year I was here, every time I wanted to go outside I asked my dad, out of habit. He finally got annoyed with me asking every day if I could go outside and he said that I don’t have to ask anymore because if I do something, it would get to the other end of town before I even got home. He knew I would be safe.
Living in Seldovia has given me wonderful opportunities. I played volleyball for 3 of my 4 years. I attempted to play basketball my junior year and I enjoyed being the girls’ basketball team manager! I was part of student council 3 of my 4 years and president and vice president throughout the last 4 years. This year I am also part of the National Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Board. Also, being in Seldovia I have been able to have a summer job every year, which is a lot of fun! All in all, I love Seldovia and how everyone cares. Seldovia is just very homey.
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?
Taylor: As a child I wanted to be anything and everything! Like any child, I wanted to be a firefighter, a doctor, a princess, (oh if only I could be a princess) a singer and a marine biologist. But I think my true passion lies in cooking. I think it started to come out in middle school, but started showing more here in Seldovia. Through the last four years I have had the privilege of having foods class with Mrs. Bornheimer and it has been my favorite class every year. I love to cook!
Gazette: What are some of your favorite school memories? Seldovia memories? Favorite school memories?
Taylor: Well where do I begin? I think my favorite memories always happen on volleyball trips. This year we got to do co-ed. Having the boys on the team was a BLAST! There was NO drama at all and they kept everything fun. One of the funniest things I can remember was last year when I was obsessed with One Direction. I made a cake and put a lot of decorations on it, and in the corner of the cake I put 1D on it. The whole cake was eaten except the part that said 1D! Everyone teased me about it for like 2 weeks!
Another one of my favorite memories in school was when Seth and Kaitlyn would sing “Believe” by Cher. Mr. Winters was our teacher at the time, and when they came to the part “Do you believe in life after love?” Mr. Winters said very loudly, NO! I laughed so hard. One of my favorite Seldovia memories is whenever I have a bonfire with all my friends. My friends are the greatest people in the world.
Gazette: What are your plans this summer? This next year?
Taylor: This summer I will be working my own hot dog stand called Main Street Munchies. That is the only thing I really have planned. This next year my best friend from Washington will be moving up here. We will both be going to KPC the following year. This next year we plan on working before we go off to college.
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”?
Taylor: I would like to thank many people. Mom and Dad, thank you for dealing with me the last 18 years. I know I have been a pain but thank you for never giving up on me even though I’m probably the most stubborn person in the house. Thank you for raising me right. You guy are the best. Jenny, thank you for everything you’ve done to help me with my photography. It means a lot to me. Ms. Montgomery, thank you for all the hard work you put into me and all the other students. You are an amazing teacher and friend! Mrs. Bornheimer, thank you for paying out of your own pocket most of the time just to do foods class. We all love that class and I am so happy you did it our senior year. Ms. Sensenig, thank you for being our advisor and helping so much with everything.
Gazette: What would you do with your life if you KNEW you could not fail?
Taylor: If I knew I would not fail I would open a small bakery/coffee shop. That is what I have wanted to do for the past two years.
Gazette: Final thoughts?
Taylor: My time in Seldovia was short but in the years I’ve been here I have made wonderful friends, I have learned and seen so much. Thank you to everyone who was there for me and everyone who never gave up. This is one of the saddest goodbyes I’ve had to say. I know I will see everyone around town, but this goodbye means the start of my new life, as an adult. So thank you to everyone who has helped me grow up into the person I am today. As I am writing this, my eyes are tearing up. I feel like I am saying goodbye for good. Where ever my life takes me, Seldovia will always be my home.
Meet Seldovia’s New School Principal Alan Haskins and his Wife, Laura
by Jenny Chissus
Our new principal Alan Haskins and his wife Laura, are excited about coming to Seldovia and working with our community and students. Alan plans on moving to Seldovia in July to familiarize himself with our school and meet with the community in preparation for the 2014-2015 school year. Laura will join him in Seldovia as soon as she gets their daughter off to the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. They will be making an initial quick trip to Seldovia in June to celebrate Laura’s birthday and meet folks. But until then, here’s a quick introduction to our new Principal/Teacher for Susan B English School and his wife, Laura!
Seldovia Time
