Seven Alaskan high schoolers, three of them from western Alaska, were awarded the first-ever Teach for Alaska Presidential Scholarship on Friday. The award is being offered as a part of the University of Alaska’s “Drive the Change” public awareness initiative.
Nome-Beltz senior Megan Contreras was just one of the Alaskan youth to win the presidential scholarship. “She’s been our board representative this year, head of the student government, but she’s going to be pursuing the education career pathway,” said Superintendent Shawn Arnold. “Who knows? Maybe one day [Megan] will be sitting in this chair as Superintendent!”
Bobbi Storms and Elanor Ruchti of Galena also won the scholarship, alongside aspiring educators from Kodiak, Kenny Lake, and Angoon.
The seven finalists didn’t know they had won the award until they had individual video chats with University President Jim Johnsen. “Providing support and an educational path for Alaska’s future teachers is just one of the ways the university can continue to drive change in our state,” said Johnsen.
To qualify for the award, Contreras and this year’s recipients sent in video submissions explaining why they wanted to pursue an educational degree and what they wanted to accomplish as a teacher.
