People We Know

• Miss Alaska National Teenager Gabrielle Zaleski, 18, of Wasilla, recently won the third runner-up title in the America's National Teenager competition in Nashville, Tennessee, and won the Supermodel category for her age division. Gabrielle is the daughter of Tye and Ben Zaleski and will attend the University of Alaska Anchorage this fall majoring in biochemistry.

• Benjamin Gerwig of Sutton was recognized for outstanding academic accomplishments by being named to the dean’s list for the Fall 2013 semester at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas.

• U.S. Air National Guard Airman 1^st Class Germay H. Kuper graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Adele M. Kuper and Larry L. Imm of Wasilla, and a 2013 graduate of Wasilla High School.

• Rebecca Huggins was reappointed by Governor Sean Parnell to the 14-member Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education, which administers state student loan programs and authorizes new facilities and programs for higher education in Alaska. Huggins, of Wasilla, is the principal of American Charter Academy. She has held a number of positions in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, including as originator and principal for Mid Valley High School. Huggins is reappointed to a public seat.

• Gov. Sean Parnell appointed Brad Hanson of Palmer to a labor seat on the Alaska Safety Advisory Council. Hanson is the safety officer for the Anchorage Fire Department. He is a member of Anchorage Firefighters Local 1264 and has served for 25 years as a full-time fire service employee. Hanson holds an associate degree in nursing.

• Governor Parnell appointed Tammy Helms of Wasilla to a public seat on the Water and Wastewater Works Advisory Board. Helms is the local government specialist IV for the Division of Community and Regional Affairs and the Rural Utilities Business Adviser Program. She has been a certified water operator for 14 years and previously worked as a certified water treatment plant operator for the City of Larsen Bay. Helms holds a certificate of completion in the state of Alaska Rural Utilities Advisor program.

• Mariah Darcy Shones of Palmer graduated May 25 during the 150th commencement ceremony at Vassar College in Poughkeesie, New York. She is the daughter of Tom and Laura Shones of Palmer.

• Alta Dean of Palmer has been selected for membership in the National Society of High School Scholars. The society recognizes top scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship and community commitment. She is the daughter of Theodore (Tad) and Dorrie Dean of Palmer.

• Dylan Spargo of Wasilla graduated with honors with a bachelor’s of science degree in biology from Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington.

• Gov. Sean Parnell appointed Monica Heintzman of Wasilla to the Alaska Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, which assists in strengthening and improving the social services and juvenile justice systems at all levels. She is a junior at Colony High School and is active in Mat-Su Youth Court.

• Gov. Sean Parnell reappointed Austin Stevenson of Palmer to the Alaska Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, which assists in strengthening and improving the social services and juvenile justice systems at all levels. He is the talented and gifted coordinator for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District.

• Homeschool student Alora E. Zulliger of Palmer has been awarded a National Merit National Distillers Distributors Foundation Scholarship. Zulliger plans to study culinary arts.

• Governor Parnell appointed executive director of Set-Free Alaska Philip Licht of Palmer to the Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. The 15-member board advises the Legislature, governor and state agencies on matters relating to the rehabilitation of individuals dealing with alcohol and drug abuse. The organization Licht heads has a 70-percent completion rate for its outpatient drug and alcohol treatment programs.

• U.S. Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Kyle D. Dickerson graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from Wasilla High School in 2013 and is the son of Andrea D. Roehl and Cecil D. Dickerson of Wasilla; and the stepson of Briana D. Dickerson and William D. Roehl of Wasilla.

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