Nome-Beltz High School students now have the opportunity to jump-start their journey into higher education through the ANSEP Acceleration Academy. Formerly known as the Alaska Native Science Engineering Program, ANSEP courses are open to all students in grades 9-12. According to ANSEP, full-time Academy students can go from eighth grade to a Bachelor’s degree in five years.
After launching in Nome last fall, ANSEP students have already begun racking up college credits, including 17-year-old seniors Alora Stasenko and Sara James.
“It really opens a lot of doors for me,” James said. “I feel like I just get a better, more rounded education than I would if I didn’t have ANSEP.”
In late January, James and Stasenko travelled to Anchorage for ANSEP’s annual celebration. They are among the first students to graduate from the Nome program.
Nome Acceleration Academy Director Kacey Miller described both girls as “exemplary students,” saying, “They’re leaders on the court as well as in the classroom.”
Stasenko has committed to attend Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois after graduation. James is still undecided on where she will go to school, but looks forward to pursuing a college degree.
Later this spring, KNOM’s General Manager, Miranda Musich, will be teaching a college preparation and career exploration class for ANSEP. “Prior to working at KNOM I was the applied business professor at the local UAF campus. I’m excited to be back in the classroom, working with high school students again,” she said. “Seeing my former students in the community working in local government and positions that have positive impacts on the people of the region is incredibly rewarding, and I’m pleased that I was asked to share my knowledge with the next generation.”
