 Alaska State Poetry Out Loud Finalists pictured from left to right: Penelope Richards, Mona Koko, Julia Wang, Clark Milstead, Silas Somers, Eleanor Kandoll, Mina Yee, Lumi Fermin. Photo: Ron Gile.
The Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Competition, presented in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, is part of a national program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. In Alaska, Poetry Out Loud is a program of the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council.
On March 11th, eight Alaska State Poetry Out Loud Finalists gathered for the Alaska State Competition in the Capital City of Juneau. KTOO Public Media, in partnership with Alaska Poetry Out Loud, webcast the Alaska State Finals on ktoo.org beginning at 5pm.
We are happy to announce the results of the competition, and Mona Koko of West Anchorage High School is the Alaska State Poetry Out Loud Champion for 2024; Penelope Richards of Eagle River High School is the Runner-up.
Six other Alaska Poetry Out Loud State Finalists performed recitations with great distinction and skill, and these finalists are:
- Julia Wang of Fairbanks BEST Homeschool
- Clark Milstead of Homer High School
- Eleanor Kandoll of Petersburg High School
- Mina Yee of Skagway School
- Lumi Fermin of Thunder Mountain High School in Juneau
- Silas Somers of Upstream Learning in Glennallen
Alaska State Council on the Arts Chairman Benjamin Brown said, "It is truly inspiring and heartwarming to see Poetry Out Loud in its 17th year with such a talented array of young Alaskans participating. Poetry Out Loud is one of the most impressive and impactful activities the Alaska State Council on the Arts offers Alaskans, and the benefits are clearly on display. All Alaskans can be proud of all the students who participated this year, and we all look forward and send our best wishes to the Alaska State Champion competing in the national finals in our nation's capital in May."
The 2024 Panel of esteemed Alaska Poetry Out Loud judges were: Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Toya Brown, Marian Call, Amanda Filori, and Nicole Metzgar. The Scorekeeper was Reggie Schapp. The Key Note Speaker for Alaska Poetry Out Loud 2024 is past Alaska State Poetry Out Loud Champion, Asya Gipson, with Master of Ceremonies Doniece (Donnie) Gott.
Special Appearances for the ceremonies included remarks and welcoming with Phil Huebschen representing the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council, Tlingit culture-bearer Ḵinkaduneek Paul Marks, and Benjamin Brown and Andrea Noble representing the Alaska State Council on the Arts. Mentors for the Alaska State Poetry Out Loud Finalists are:
tripp j crouse, Brett Dillingham, Na Mee, and Don Rearden.
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Congratulations to Big Lake Elementary, DEED's Alaska School Spotlight for February 2024! Read about their school here. Visit the Alaska School Spotlight webpage to read about past schools that have been highlighted.
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The Teacher Certification Team is hosting virtual informational sessions. Each session will include updates and a question-and-answer session.
Upcoming Meetings
The Commission will meet on April 11-12, 2024 to consider disciplinary actions against certificate holders, to conduct administrative reviews, and to discuss other Commission business.
The public is welcome. The meetings may be in person, but will also be held virtually by Zoom. More information, including a Zoom link, can be found online: PTPC
Learn More!
Have additional questions, concerns, or just want to learn more? Melody Mann, PTPC's Executive Director, is available to present information about PTPC to educators around the state. Send her an email to schedule an informational presentation.
A great deal of the Code for Ethics for Educators is related to professional communication with students, the public and with colleagues. Know your obligations to uphold the Code of Ethics of Educators.
Communication whether in person or via any communications device is expected to be professional, responsible, reasonable, and appropriate.
It’s important to consider how one might have to defend one’s communication as educationally sound, or for student or staff health or safety.
Locate, review, and become familiar with School Board Policy and communication expectations.
Teacher's Retirement System (TRS) Tier I and Tier II
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This seminar is designed for members of the Defined Benefit plan:
- Tier I members who entered service between July, 1,1955, and June 30, 1990
- Tier II members who entered service between June 30, 1990, and June 30, 2006
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Your Benefit Education Counselors will cover...
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- The retirement process
- Eligibility
- Vesting
- Service and benefit calculations
- Early and normal retirement
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- Increasing service credit
- Survivor options
- Retiree insurance options
- After-retirement increases
- The timing of benefits
- And more!
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Join Us Virtually
Thursday, March 21, 2024 | 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. (2 hours)
DEED is committed to providing information, resources, and leadership to schools, districts, parents, and the public in order to support an excellent education for every student every day. Staff at DEED are engaged in meaningful professional work in support of Alaska’s most valuable resource – its children.
DEED values collaboration and relationship building, creativity and innovation, and mission-driven work guided by the Alaska’s Education Challenge. The daily work environment at DEED is energetic, collaborative, fast paced, and challenging as staff work together to support Alaska’s school districts and students.
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