‘The kinds of leaders Alaska and the world needs’

During the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement, held Thursday in the Kenai Central High School auditorium, students — each at their own place in their educational journeys — earned a variety of degrees and certificates.

The college, Director Cheryl Siemers said during her commencement address, “exists to provide opportunities in education for students in our community and around the state.” While students may have further education they plan to pursue, demanding jobs to step into or other responsibilities to return to, she described commencement as an opportunity to celebrate success.

“Your path here tonight has been diverse,” she said. “Some of you have balanced work and family. Others have returned to education after years away. You wanted a new direction, a new start. Yet all of you share a common thread, the courage to pursue your goals and the determination to succeed.”

The students gathered in the auditorium that night — and many who didn’t attend but were honored during the ceremony — came from different backgrounds and were at different places in their educational journeys. Some of the students were claiming their associate degrees, a group that included at least one current high schooler. A large group were earning their GED. Several were earning degrees geared to get them right to work in the oil field or in health care. A few graduated with certificates in teaching Indigenous languages. One was honored for earning his master’s degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

“We do hope you’ll make a difference here in Alaska and around the world,” Siemers said. “Thank you, graduates, for finding your place at KPC and for contributing so significantly to all our experiences.”

Brian Smentkowski, vice president of the University of Alaska, told the graduates that their commencement — regardless of where on their paths they are or what they overcame to get there — “represents your resilience, your drive, the joy you bring to your instructors, the pride you sparked in your loved ones and the changes that you will make in the communities that you are in and will be in for the rest of your lives.”

“Whatever path you choose, whatever path you follow, you are prepared because you are already a success.”

Deanne Woodward, vice chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage, similarly focused on themes of resilience in her remarks.

“You sharpened your minds, strengthened your voices, and grown into the kinds of leaders Alaska and the world needs,” she said. “Whether you’re heading into nursing, business, education, the arts or public service, your voice matters. Your presence matters. And your story, well, it’s just beginning.”

Keynote speaker Libby Roderick, the director of the Difficult Dialogues Initiative at UAA, encouraged the graduates to, regardless of what occupation they end up in, “make the world a good place for current and future generations of people and all living things.” She told them to think critically, listen well and keep learning. She also told them to vote in local elections.

“Go out and make some great mistakes,” she said. “Learn from them, listen deeply to yourself and to others. Learn something new every day. Help make the world a better place and always remember that you matter — have some fun while you’re at it.”

For more information, visit kpc.alaska.edu.

Kenai Peninsula College Degrees Conferred

Associate of Arts

General Program

Xander Z. Amend

Keoni Beddow

Roseann L. Darby

Indyra L.J. Edwards-Smith

Celeste M. Fairbanks

Robert A. Hall

Emily A. Henricksen

Emma L. Hunter

Josirene Q. Nutter

Sandee K. Simons

Ruth A. Suprien

Associate of Science

General Science

Bethany G. O’Brien

Associate of Applied Science

Industrial Process Instrumentation

Coy J. Babcock

Kade T. Honey

Dusty Jackson

Thomas J. Krier

Trevor W. Moose

Joseph Reynolds

Paramedical Technology

Evelyn J. Jackson

Jillian M. Jurasek-Bayne

Drew T. Skube

Process Technology

Ray A. Chumley

Patrick S. Dailey

Austin Desaw

Samking J. Germain

Peter B. Haeussler

Kade T. Honey

Kaylee A. Kirby

Josh A. Koppy

David Kuhn

Vital C. LeFevere

Charles R. Moore IV

Trevor W. Moose

Wesley W. Quade

Ozzy J. Reecamper

Joseph Reynolds

Timothy A. Seaux

Brayden D. VanMeter

Kenai Peninsula College Certificates Conferred

Ahtna Language Instruction – Undergraduate Certificate

Raedeen E. Neeley

Taliylah D. Patrick

Dena’ina Language Instruction – Undergraduate Certificate

Laalêel Kaylee Bearheart

Petroleum Technology – Undergraduate Certificate

Kade T. Honey

David Kuhn

Welding Technology – Undergraduate Certificate

Robert A. Hall

Paul D. Desjaradin

Bryce G. Michael

Tristan D. Taliesin

Ahtna Language – Occupational Endorsement Certificate

Carol V. Cozzen

Conflict Resolution – Occupational Endorsement Certificate

Michelle A. Spalding

Conservation Ecology – Occupational Endorsement Certificate

Megan Bell

Siobhan Duffy

Madelyn Eisenbeisz

Olivia M. Holdaway

Amiah C. Jared

Javin Schroeder

Prairie R. Sievers

Marine Mammal Biology – Occupational Endorsement Certificate

Samantha R. Chalmers

Carleigh Frino

Ansley E. Gibson

Nathanael J. Majors

Lucy Pyne

Justin Rhoads

Javin Schroeder

Grace Vannorwick

Edwin Viramontes

Petroleum Production

David Kuhn

Certified Nursing Assistant

Hannah Burton

Crystal Collet

Devon Duniphin

McKenzie Flanders

Aidan Gavalis

Corin Granados

Lydia Hopper

Sarah Kitenge

Leah Mortensen

Estrella Palacios

Claire Pellegrom

Kayley Rogers

Madelyn Ross

Debra Rowzee

Mischa Slaughter

Katherine Smith

Jade Stewart

Isabella Tomrdle

Ella Veihdeffer

Amelia Villa

Gabrielle Weiss

Ariel Wheeler

GED Graduates

Kimberly Adams

Blaine Asuncion-Tom

Kiril Basargin

Daniel Embre

Selena Hansen

Vincent Harless

Anettia King

Ash McCurdy

Malachi Parry-Newly

Harold Sargeant

Levi Skalisky

Mayson Toms-Moonin

Other University of Alaska Degrees and Certificates Conferred

Associate of Applied Science

Nursing – UAA

Sarah Brueckner

Bailey Buchholz

Tiare C. Chai

Angela M. Deutsch

Alexis H. Giles

Lillian A. Hottmann

April Lund

Samantha J. Stenglein

Radiologic Technology – UAA

Kiley R. Hardesty

Associate of Science

General Sciences – UAA

Noble Cassidy

Bachelor of Arts

Biological Sciences – UAF

Brandon W. Edwards

Child Development & Family Studies – UAF

Tammy L. Grimes

Social Science – UAS

Natasha Nicole Sison

Bachelor of Business Administration

Business Administration – UAS

Cheryl L. Stang

Master of Education

Counseling – UAF

Quincy D. Fuller