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
Graduates process into the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Graduates process into the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Graduates process into the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Graduates process into the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Graduates process into the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Graduates process into the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Director Cheryl Siemers speaks during the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Josirene Nutter is honored with the “Staff Choice” award during the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Joseph Reynolds is honored as “Faculty Choice” during the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
University of Alaska Vice Chancellor Deanne Woodward speaks during the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Libby Roderick delivers the keynote speech during the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Graduates process into the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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