Fifty Anchorage teens recently passed the Anchorage Youth Court bar exams and were sworn in by Superior Court Judge Joannides.  They included Steller students Mackenzie C., Lindsay L., Matthew P., and Brennan R.  Congratulations.

It has been my practice to always pass on compliments to persons in my school that deserve it. I intend to continue that practice with the Steller family of staff, students and parents.

Recently the National Merit Scholarship Corporation [NMSC] made me aware of three of Steller’s students are receiving a letter of commendation from NMSC .
The students are Christopher R., Logan D. and Justin W.
These students and their families should be justly proud of this accomplishment. We at Steller are extremely proud of these three students and the efforts they have exerted towards securing their own futures. We recognize that for those who are committed to greatness and that those who exhibit a personal dedication to their own futures will always make a positive difference.

We at Steller thank you for your conscientiousness and we thank those who have influenced you most- your parents, extended family members and your teachers.

Keep up the good work!

Harlod Green
Principal of Steller Secondary

It has taken a while to write this but we had to wait for Tonei to slow down enough to make sure we had it right. Tonei G. recently graduated from Steller. Over six years as a student at Steller, Tonei fully embraced the Steller Philosopy and participated in a wide variety of activities. Besides being a strong student voice in Op Group, Ad Board (as co-chair for two years), and as Steller’s representative on the Anchorage School District’s Student Advisory Board, Tonei was editor of the yearbook for four years and leader of the Gay-Straight Alliance at Steller. Tonei was also very active outside of school volunteering for many organizations: a lawyer, judge, and board of directors member for Anchorage Youth Court, president of the United Youth Courts of Alaska, a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters at North Star Elementary School, and one of twelve Student Coordinators on the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) National Jump-Start Leadership Team. Additionally, Tonei was invited to join the GLSEN National Advisory Council earlier this year.

Tonei has been a member of the Alaska Teen Media Institute (ATMI) for over two years. A regular soundboard operator and host on their monthly radio show, Tonei was also featured as a commentator on National Public Radio in February 2008 and received an Alaska Press Club Award – competing against adult professionals – for a radio piece regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students in Anchorage schools. Tonei has had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the United States to participate in conferences including several GLSEN summits and trainings, statewide and regional youth court summits, the National Association of Student Councils conference, the Third Coast International Audio Festival, and was one of only two seniors in Alaska chosen to participate in the 2008 U.S. Senate Youth Program.

Tonei is an American Civil Liberties Union Youth Activist Scholar, and will be an honors student at American University in Washington D.C. studying Political Science and Women’s and Gender Studies. He received an American University Presidental Merit Scholarship of $27,000 per year in addition to scholarships from the Anchorage Education Association, the TOTEM Association of Educational Support Personnel, Pride Foundation, PFLAG, and many other organizations – in all, over $50,000 in scholarships. We are very proud of Tonei’s accomplishments and grateful to the Steller teachers and staff for all they have done to help create such a wonderful young person.

Ed and Karen
Tonei’s Parents

You can find details of Tonei’s accomplishments in the “press” section of frozenactivist.net.

Sam H-K is a stellar example of what Steller does best: allowing kids to find their own best interests and then facilitating the kids’ achievement. As his proud dad, I can report that Sam was President of Anchorage Youth Court this year and accumulated more than 1000 volunteer hours with AYC. In his college application process, he was offered a total of about $400,000.00 in scholarships and support, including the highest merit scholarships at several schools (including Whittier College, Millsaps University, Centre College, and DePauw University) and was asked to join the Honors Programs at all the schools who had them. Looking for a small liberal arts college education, he ultimately chose DePauw University (#31 in the 2008 USNews & WR listing), who offered $33,500.00/year of a $40,000.00 sticker price. No doubt, Sam has worked very hard, but I commend the Steller faculty and staff in their work to help a shy “sevy” become a confident, competent, well-balanced young man.

Daniel K.

As Karin Parker stated at graduation, we have some amazing students that have accomplished some amazing things. If your student has received athletic or academic awards, scholarships, recognition, or other honor, we would like to know. Please click the link under “Contact Us” in the right hand column and tell us about your amazing Steller student (especially the graduating seniors before they are gone). This will allow the Steller community share in their success and let parents of prospective students know just how wonderful our kids are. It is a website policy that for internet privacy we will publish the information you provide using only the first name and first initial of the last name of your student. Please share their accomplishments.