Anchorage, Alaska (KTUU) – The Alaska Natives Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) commemorated 30 years of its impact on Alaska on Friday evening – improving educational opportunities for young people across the State.
According to a press release from ANSEP, the program helped educational growth and career objectives of more than 2,500 Alaskans from various backgrounds.
The celebration was supposed to serve as a time to reflect on the path of the program on three decades, to mark the success of the students and to express its gratitude to the supporters of the program.
Michael Bourdukofsky, director of special projects for ANSEP, said that the program is committed with kindergarten students to those who pursue a doctorate.
“After 30 years of Ansep, we are now thousands of primary schools, college, secondary and university students, representing more than 100 different Alaska communities,” said Bourdukofsky. “To provide an excellent education and an unlimited life of opportunities to all Alaskians.”
The star speaker for the celebration, Izzy Yasana, a brand brand director at Nike, gave some advice to young people from Alaska who wish to continue higher education.
“To be always proud of who you are and where you come from, learn to tell your story and make yourself uncomfortable because with this discomfort comes growth,” said Yasana.
Yasana says that she is breathtaking and inspired by the program, in particular with its impact on students in Alaska, across the country and even in the world. She hopes that students who are continuing their studies and their dreams will eventually give back to their local communities.
Isabella January, student at Ansep Acceleration Academy, has already been able to win 125 university credits.
“Some of my favorite courses were science and I just take an engineering lesson, which has widened my horizons on the millions of possibilities that can take place around the world,” said January.
January has already been accepted at the UMKC medical school, she hopes to graduate with her MD in the next four years.
To find out more about other students affected by Ansep or on the program, Click here.
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