UAF to celebrate Rural �ֻ�ֱ�� Honors Institute class of 2021

July 8, 2021

Photo by KJ McElwee. Students participating in the 2021 Rural �ֻ�ֱ�� Honors Institute pose before a hike to Angel Rocks near Fairbanks.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� will celebrate the achievements of the Rural �ֻ�ֱ�� Honors Institute class of 2021 on July 14-15 with a virtual graduation ceremony and research presentations.

RAHI provides six weeks of in-person coursework for high school students at UAF’s Troth Yeddha’ campus in Fairbanks. This summer’s cohort included 51 juniors and seniors from 33 communities across �ֻ�ֱ��. They earned up to 11 UAF credits in subjects like �ֻ�ֱ�� Native studies and dance, biomedical research, business, chemistry, education, library science, study skills and more.

Students will offer from 1-2 p.m. July 14. The 39th annual will be online from 1-2:30 p.m. July 15.

Since its inception in 1983, nearly 1,800 students have attended RAHI. �ֻ�ֱ�� have gone on to earn more than 1,200 degrees from the University of �ֻ�ֱ�� and a variety of other institutions around the U.S. and beyond.

The 2021 RAHI graduates include Ashley Agloinga, White Mountain; Laci Andrew, Dillingham; Kalila Arreola, Juneau; Lemau Bantatua, Noorvik; Kayla Beckham, Bethel; John Bernardo, Ketchikan; Guadalupe Callahan, Nome; Charles Carlo, Galena; Paytyn Cleaver, Galena; Alexander Colvin, Kotzebue; August Cooper, Ketchikan; Jordan David, Huslia; Aryn DelaRosa, Mountain Village; Ariella Edwards, Allakaket; Kai-Alohi Elkins, Delta Junction; Morgan Feldpausch, Sitka; Christian Finau, Glennallen; Kayden Gilila, Akiak; Linnaea Gossard, Cooper Landing; Kallan Hill, Kotzebue; Rowan Hill, Nenana; Dionna Jackson, Kake; Tyler Jagels, Fairbanks; Sandra Johnston, Ketchikan; Bode Leeper, Nome; Tyler Lincoln, White Mountain; Lillian Mahoney, Unalaska; Gerwin Mateo, Unalaska; Jenae Matson, Nome; Alex Mendoza, Ruby; Shane Morris, Unalaska; Lauryn Nanouk Jones, Unalakleet; Alliyah Nay, Kotzebue/Dillingham; Heidi Okleasik, Golovin; Svenson Paukan, St. Mary’s; Bernard Pete, Nunam Iqua; Dion Pleasant, Quinhagak; Sable Scotton, Galena; Theodora Sipary, Napaskiak; Carrie Skin, Ambler; Katherine Smith, Nome; Bjorn St. Clair, Juneau; Haley Ulroan, Chevak; Xavia Valverde, Unalaska; Taylor Vantrease, Kake; Bella Webb, Copper Center; Tatum Weckwerth, Unalakleet; Brentina White, Eek; and Kursten Wilde, Russian Mission.

RAHI is supported by Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., UAF’s Biomedical Learning and Student Training program, ConocoPhillips, First National Bank �ֻ�ֱ��, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Tanana Chiefs Conference, the UAF College of Rural and Community Development, Wells Fargo, the University of �ֻ�ֱ�� and private donors.