The Play: A History
We are so proud of our drama club students as they recently performed in the third annual production of The Play! This year's play, The Play: A History contained six new plays written, designed, and produced by fourteen of our Raven students. Students worked hard to create and write their own plays, memorize lines, build sets and create costumes. Six mini plays focusing on Ancient Egypt, tap dancing, great Norse myths and more highlighted the theme of the year. They did an incredible job and they are already excitedly planning for next year's play, The Play: A Mystery.
Student Spotlight - Elijah & Naomi O.
We joined Raven Homeschool Eagle River in 2019 when Elijah started kindergarten. Homeschooling was the right choice for us. Having no family in Alaska, we have the freedom to take school with us and visit family without being worried about getting behind in school. Elijah is currently in 4th grade. He loves reading, history, science, music and art. He has a creative imagination and loves to tell stories. He wants to be either a historian or an astronomer when he grows up. Naomi is enjoying 1st grade this year. She loves math, writing, art and cooking. She is a performer at heart and loves singing, dancing and story-telling. Naomi wants to be a chef when she grows up. Both kids love downhill skiing, kayaking, biking, hiking and swimming. This past fall we were able to travel to Grand Canyon National Park, which was the highlight of the year. Through homeschooling we are able to learn together as a family and tailor lessons to fit individual interests.
Student Spotlight - Tori B.
This year I ran the Jr. Iditarod. A 150-mile, 2-day dog race that starts in Knik and traverses 75 miles of swamp, river, and hills to arrive at a halfway point on the banks of the Yentna River. My “kennel” consisted of 15 dogs -4 dogs of my own and eleven 1-year-old pups from Iditarod musher Brent Sass. The dogs started their second year of training in September this year, with my mom and I taking over in November. In the 3 months we had with the yearlings before the race, we had to get them running 75 miles while previously they were only going 25. The Jr. Willow 100, a hundred-mile race in Willow, 2 weeks before the Jr. Iditarod, helped to train the dogs up with both miles and to get them used to crowds of people. I came in 6th in the Willow. Finally, on February 23 it was race time. I had a rough time getting ready- from forgetting my mandatory sleeping bag at the place we stayed the night before, to completely forgetting my axe. Even with these setbacks, I had an amazing race, finishing 7th out of 21 mushers. The leaders that ran the entire way were June -a tiny 3-year-old female- and Prince- a strong 5-year-old male. It was a wondrous year of watching the young dogs progress.
Student Recognition - Oliver R.
Oliver Robertson, a sixth grader at Raven Homeschool in Juneau, has been busy learning the art of drone flying and video photography. His love for flight and exploring the outdoors has come together. He was gifted his first drone over a year ago and since then has researched the latest drone technology, taught himself the craft of video photography, passed the Recreational UAS Safety Test, and has been out filming some of Juneau’s beautiful scenery. His passion for flight has turned into a new area of study for him. He enjoys sharing his photographs and videos with everyone and always looks forward to his next adventure outdoors. We love that homeschool gifts us the flexibility to feed his passions and encourage an enriched learning lifestyle.
Student Recognition - Kezia V.
Raven Homeschool 11th grader Kezia Verebasaga participated in the University Alaska Southeast Traditional Games (Native Youth Olympics) on November 18, 2023 in Juneau, Alaska. She entered the following events: Alaskan High Kick, Scissor Broad Jump, and Inuit Stick Pull. Kezia was previously involved with the Native Youth Olympics as a younger student while attending local public schools. After switching to homeschool, it was a challenge to be informed about preparatory practice times. But this was something that Kezia often talked about and really wanted to be able to participate in again. After spotting a random post on social media seemingly by fluke, we were able to get her signed up just in time. And in spite of missing out on the team practices other students had been privy to, Kezia placed 1st in Inuit Stick Pull for her age category! Kudos to Kezia for her accomplishment and for persevering and pushing through her fears and apprehension.
Student Recognition - Alexis J.
Raven Homeschool graduating 11th grader Alexis Juergens participated in the Drama, Debate, Forensics state tournament and did extremely well. She and her debate partner made it to the semifinals and ended up in 3rd place overall in state. Alexis got second place with her dramatic interpretation, a speaking event. She and her friend were the first state champions in Improvisational Duet Acting, and even got a command performance (meaning they had to draw topics, create a piece in 30 minutes, and perform it in front of 200+ people) for the first time EVER in state history. According to Alexis, “It was a great conclusion to my high school DDF career!”
Student Recognition - Anika & Megyn L.
Raven Homeschool students Anika (8th grade) and Megyn (7th grade) Linstid hit the trails around Juneau this past 2023 running season with the Juneau Trail & Road Runners. They participated in a variety of events such as racing the incoming tides by running across Lynn Canal and back, navigating tram tourists while running up Mt. Roberts Trail, and taking a loop around Lena Beach Recreation Area. Thanks to their hard work and determination (while smiling, of course), Anika and Megyn respectively claimed 2nd and 3rd places in their division. While not running or actively snagging their top notch home-based education, these sisters can be found swimming, nordic skiing, playing music, chasing the dog, and most importantly...reading.
Student Spotlight - Isabella V.
The Wasilla Raven office would like to recognize Isabella Valcarce. She is a senior and will be graduating this May. In her own words: My name is Isabella Valcarce and I am 17 years old; Yup’ik from Bethel, Alaska. Thank you to YKSD, the Board, teachers, and especially my advisory teacher Ruth Ross for all your help and support. The past few years have not been easy. Meth and other drugs invaded Bethel and drastically changed our lives. My father’s office burned down, and they also tried to burn our house, when I was in it, alone. We had to leave Bethel and my enrollment in ANSEP.
But I’m even more determined to make a positive difference! Through Raven’s existence, I was given the chance to succeed. I have completed almost a year of college classes through UAF and continued these classes through Raven. I have been able to continue my independent research on why our salmon (and thus culture) are declining on the Kuskokwim River. I have been invited to, and joined, the National Honor Society; and maybe most importantly: I have had the time, flexibility, and SAFE PLACE to dream of a future. I was honored to be recently accepted to UAF and Fort Lewis College with tuition scholarships. This week, I decided to accept the Legacy Scholarship from Utah State University, after meetings with several advisors who are helping to implement my plans to work with animals and continue these fish studies.
My high school education was not typical and not filled with sports, proms, or social clubs. But I have been extremely happy, centered and am ready to conquer the world. Thank you!
