‘Be bold and set goals’

PALMER — Seating was at a premium during graduation ceremonies at the Alaska Job Corps Center in Palmer Feb. 15.

Of the 35 students who completed their Job Corps training and graduated this winter, 19 participated in the ceremony. And of those 19, nine already have full-time jobs, said community liaison Barbara Hunt.

On hand to help honor the graduates’ achievements were representatives from U.S. Senators Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski and the JROTC color guard from Colony High School, which presented the colors.

The keynote speaker was four-time Olympian and nine-time Mount Marathon champ Nina Kemppel who is now the Chief Executive Officer of the Alaska Humanities Forum.

“Think big, be bold and set goals,” Kemppel told graduates.

She offered graduates three tools to reach those goals, dream it, believe it and share it.

She said when she first made the U.S. Olympic Winter Team she was the youngest athlete by eight years.

The experience could have been overwhelming, she said, but she reminded herself that racing at this level was no different a skills test than racing in Kincaid Park.

“Believe you can accomplish anything,” Kemppel said.

Hunt said this crop of graduates included two veterans of the armed services. “They don’t have any problem adjusting to life in the dorm at all.”

She said veterans were added to the list of those eligible to receive services at Job Corps a couple of years ago. Hunt said veterans are exempt from the age requirements that other students must meet.

This graduation ceremony was dedicated to Community Relations Council member Mary Kvalheim who died Jan. 31.

“This is probably the first graduation she has missed,” Hunt said.

Graduating Feb. 15 from Job Corp were:

Palmer W. Dreyer, computer technician, Anchorage; Clint A. Martin, computer technician, Palmer; Tom D. Nicolos, computer technician, Barrow; Carol E. Pete, computer technician, Copper Center/ Anchorage; Vidal R. Sisson, computer technician, Kenai; Jason P. Trimble, computer technician, Wasilla; * David W. Trybalski, computer technician, Anchorage; Bobbi L. Cabinboy, office administration, Anchorage; Alexandra M. Dows, office administration, Metlakatla/Palmer; Danielle R. James, office administration, Kenai; Mykel M. Mapel, office administration, Anchorage; Zabein S. Massey-Black, carpentry, Wasilla; Wesley Boyscout, carpentry, Chevak; Nathaniel L. Bartels, electrical, Anchorage; Brandon A. Culbreth, electrical, Anchorage; Johnathan P. Fancyboy electrical, Pilot Station; Ty C. Mitchell, electrical, Anchorage; Ryan L. Drake, facilities maintenance, St. Mary’s and Palmer; Austin R. Lashbrook, facilities maintenance, Palmer/Louisiana; Fernando V. Lopez, facilities maintenance, Anchorage

Shane L. Saccheus, facilities maintenance, Elim; Korvel W. Sutton, facilities maintenance, Anchorage

Robert G. Hunter, heavy equipment, Angoon; Eric W. Joe, heavy equipment, Anchorage; Darian A. Andrews, culinary arts/hospitality, Wasilla; Jeremiah S. Hughes, culinary arts/hospitality, Wasilla; Sean P. Nemec, culinary arts/hospitality, Anchorage; Jacob M. Valenzuela, culinary arts/hospitality, Indio, Calif.; Brianna L Holt, human services, Anchorage; * Jonathan C. Edgren, nurse assistant/home health aide, Anchorage; Ruby M. Outwater, nurse assistant/home health aide, Nome; Ramona N. Plotnikov, nurse assistant/home health aide, Wasilla; Denay R. Tavenner, nurse assistant/home health aide, Wasilla; Shane L. Aldrich, water treatment, Wasilla; Brianna L. Trybalski, water treatment, Anchorage

* Veteran