High school sophomore gets name in print

WASILLA -- Even though he is only a sophomore in high school, Wasilla's Drew Allison has plenty of ambitions and dreams. During his brief high school career, he has already accomplished more than most students his age -- and most adults, for that matter.

Recently, Allison's poetry was published in "A Celebration of Young Poets, Northwest Spring 2002" edition by Creative Communications Inc. The poem, "The Northern Lights Show," submitted last year, won the top poetry award for the ninth-grade class.

"I've never sat down and wrote poetry before. I kind of didn't expect it to happen," Allison said. "Originally I wrote it for a NASA poetry contest, but I found a different Web site with a different contest, and my English teacher told me to go for it."

His poem appeared on a full page by itself. He collected a $50 treasury bond for his efforts, as well as the personal satisfaction of becoming published for the first time.

Allison isn't just a poet, though. In fact, his true passion is science. Last summer, he got the opportunity to study with the JASON Project, which brings together some of the leading scientists in the world with students. Allison got the chance to study and learn from Dr. Bob Ballard of Titanic fame, and learned about the scientific method in regards to Stellar sea lions.

"I'm going to go for my doctorate in biology," Allison said. "And I plan to go to the USAFA (U.S. Air Force Association) and I intend to be there for four years learning to fly jets and earning at least my masters in biology."

Allison is a student with Valley Pathways/seeUonline, and he is an online student. It's a learning method he has embraced for a number of reasons.

"Online school for me is great because with normal public schools you have to get up at 6 o'clock and catch the bus and for a lot of kids, that doesn't work well," Allison said. "Here, I can be independent and learn at my own pace."

Allison said the teaching methods are also a plus with online learning.

"Some teachers have different ways of teaching, and in public schools, you are required to learn it that way," Allison said. "With online learning, you can learn your own way. The school itself is pretty small, and you get to establish a good relationship with the teachers. It's definitely the right thing for me."

He could probably skip a grade right now, he said, but Allison plans for the future, and he said by skipping a grade, he could possibly hurt his chances for admission into the U.S. Air Force Academy.

"To accomplish my goals, I need to be in high school for four years," he said.

His lofty goal of flying jets in the U.S. Air Force stems from his love of speed, he said, and his notion of patriotism.

"The U.S. Air Force is a big thing for our country," he said. "I love to fly, and I want to help our country. That'll be great."

The academy will have to wait for a while, as Allison rounds out his high school career. In the short term, however, he is still working on special extra-curricular activities. He will be one of five seeUonline students to participate in a statewide high school competition called the Tsunami Bowl that is sponsored by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

Northern Lights Show

Have you ever seen the Northern Lights?

Cosmic rays of light pierce the night

And dance with undulating hues

Of greens, reds and blues

Across the sky like ribbons

Flowing in a dark breeze

Streamers of colors shoot up in waves

And dance then fade - to a subdued shade

Then burst again in stronger rhythm -- a northern anthem

For the blue and gold -- a state where the cold -- paints the sky

Streams of light pierce the night

I stand in awe and true delight

While my nose grows numb

Northern lights crackle and hum

A display of color unlike any other

Gives me a show and makes my eyes glow -- with wonder

The cold bites

While I stand under

Northern lights.