Susitna Valley Invite canceled

TALKEETNA -- Earlier this week members of the Susitna High School administration and track and field coaching staff decided to cancel the Susitna Valley Invitational track meet. Organizers of the event canceled the meet to focus their efforts on the search for Talkeetna native Bethany "Beth" Correira.

"The decision was made out of respect for her family," Su Valley girls' track coach Jane Buskirk said. "The community wants to help out and do anything that is possible."

Correira was reported missing by her family on May 3. The 21-year-old recently moved into an apartment on M Street in downtown Anchorage near the city's coastal trail system. Correira's mother went to visit her last Sunday and found the apartment empty. Correira also missed an appointment to pick up her brother at the airport.

Correira is a 1999 graduate of Susitna Valley High School and, according to Buskirk, she was very active in Ram athletics. Correira was a standout on the Su Valley basketball and volleyball teams and was coached by Buskirk on the Ram track and field team as a freshman and sophomore.

"She always helped out and volunteered for anything," Buskirk said of Correira. "Now it is time for us to help her out."

In addition to their interaction in athletics, Buskirk and her husband Larry both had Correira as a student and the families have remained close.

"I had her in P.E. and Larry had her in health," Buskirk said. "We are real close with her family. We have had her brothers and are friends with her mom and dad."

The Buskirks were busy earlier this week searching for any clue to Correira's whereabouts. The Su Valley track and field squad competed in the Borough Championships at Palmer High School earlier this week and the Ram coaching staff used their spare time to aid authorities and help in the search.

The Buskirks are part of a large group of Talkeetna residents lending their support to authorities in the search for their missing friend.

"She is a Su Valley student and a special part of the community," Buskirk said. "We hope for the best."