Job Corps students take advantage in meeting, speaking with state, Congressional officials during renaming ceremony

During the Wednesday ceremony renaming the Alaska Job Corps Center to the Don Young Alaska Job Corps Center, in honor of the late Representative Don Young, one highlight that remained relatively obscure was the utter delight some of the Alaska Native students took at seeing all 3 members of Alaska’s Congressional delegation-Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Representative Mary Peltola, along with Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, all present and within speaking distance, something a few students took advantage of throughout the morning.

Students such as Certified Nursing Assistant student Kirstin George, who made sure to have her photo taken with every member of the Congressional delegation, and was later able to get her photo taken with the senators, representative, and governor in 1 photo.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” she commented before asking Governor Dunleavy for a photo.

Another student, John Frank, who is studying Building Construction Technology, with designs on becoming an architect one day, was left awestruck, and well may have a future in politics.

“I want to start getting into it now,” he said, but was also thrilled to learn that many of the politicians present did not start out in politics, but had other careers and aspirations before entering politics.

“So, it’s not too late? I can become an architect and then a politician? That’s amazing!” Frank was later seen speaking with Representative Peltola about the trash build up in his rural village.

“We don’t know how to deal with trash, it’s all gathering up, all piling up for 25 years. We need to do something about it,” Frank told Representative Peltola. He mentioned that it’s unhealthy, and that it’s not only affecting his village, but other remote villages throughout the state.

Frank said that he’s trying to get any and all people involved, and was extremely thankful for Representative Peltola taking a few minutes to listen and is hopeful that she can bring further attention to his cause.

When asked what he would need to do to get involved in politics, he was advised to continue reading and learning about the government systems, whether it be local community, city, Borough, state, or federal systems, but above all, to keep talking with community members and listen to what they have to say, and heed the advice given by Janet Kincaid, a local community leader:

“It happens because 1 person can, and does, make a difference,” she said, adding “Take an active role, make a comment, it’s what’s important to elected officials it’s how they gain their prestige and amass their knowledge that is so needed.”