JUNE 07 - JUNE 21, 2016
A&E
THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE
FEATURES
PAGE 9
PAGE 3
Hiking to Portage Lake on the Kenai Peninsula
Chance the Rapper’s third album released to the world
A Girdwood getaway
Nine programs suspended, 209 layoffs and no tuition hike for UAA
PHOTOS BY YOUNG KIM
A view of Winner Creek from the handtram of Winner Creek Trail.
GRAPHIC BY VICTORIA PETERSEN
By Victoria Petersen
vgpetersen@thenorthernlight.org
The Alyeska tram can take you up to two great restaurants.
By Victoria Petersen
vgpetersen@thenorthernlight.org
Located in the Municipality of Anchorage, Girdwood is about 30 miles south of Alaska’s largest city. Following the scenic Seward Highway south from Anchorage, Girdwood is home to 1,975 people, as of 2014 census. However, the population doubles in the winter season due to seasonal work and winter recreational opportunities. According to the Alaska OCS Socioeconomic Studies Program the population in the winter months 1,700 and in the summer months is 700. The small town is home to Alaska’s largest ski area, with over a thousand miles of ski-able terrain, located at Alyeska Resort. Many locals will work for the resort in the wintertime. A ski instructor for Alyeska Resort in the wintertime, Jean Larson-Irin, has
facebook.com/northernlightuaa
lived in Girdwood for 17 years and works in the roundhouse museum atop Mt. Alyeska in the summertime. “My favorite part of living in Girdwood is the ski hill, I’m a ski instructor in the winter,” Larson-Irin said. In its infancy, Girdwood was known as the Glacier City, due to the seven glaciers that can be seen in the area. In the nineteenth century, Glacier City was established as a supply camp, set up to distribute supplies to gold mines in the near by area. In 1896, the camp was named in honor of Colonel James Girdwood, a linen merchant who had the four first gold claims in Crow Creek. The original town site of Girdwood was near the shores of Turnagain Arm, but was moved almost three miles back into the valley after the 1964 earthquake displaced the
SEE GIRDWOOD
PAGE 6
@TNL_Updates
The University of Alaska received its new budget this week from Alaska lawmakers. Although the university did receive more money than expected, the budget, $335 million from the state, is approximately $15 million less than last year’s budget. The $909.8 million budget approved by the Board of Regents is expected to cut jobs and programs throughout the state. The reductions to the University of Alaska include three programs being cut, 10 being suspended, and 579 positions being eliminated across the state. The University of Alaska received about $35 million more than anticipated. This extra money is being used to avoid tuition increases. The University of Alaska Anchorage will see a reduction in 209 positions and nine programs offered through UAA are being suspended. These nine programs include environmental regulations and permitting graduate certificate, Kodiak College AAS computer systems technology, Kodiak College AAS computer information and office systems, Kodiak College construction technology and industrial safety Support Undergraduate Certificate, master of civil engineering, master of science in arctic engineering,
@thenorthernlightuaa
graduate certificate in coastal, ocean, and port engineering, graduate certificate in earthquake engineering, and bachelor in music in performance. Student body president, Sam Erickson, is ready to take on the challenges that comes with the foreseen cuts, seeing it as an opportunity for student voices to be heard. “The specter of budget reductions is certainly a daunting one, but I feel that it also presents a great opportunity for student leadership, and a chance for our voices to be heard and considered regarding serious issues. I’m aware of the challenges, but optimistic for both the future of UAA and its student body,” Erickson said. Erickson is concerned with deficits in deferred maintenance on university buildings and loss of faculty due to program suspensions. “Buildings to teach in and teachers to do so are absolutely necessary to a functioning university, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that these areas receive the attention and funding they require,” Erickson said. The University of Alaska will not be seeing the projected tuition hikes this year. There will still be a five percent tuition increase in the fall that was approved by the Board of Regents last November.
thenorthernlight.org
youtube.com/tnlnews
NEWS
THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, JUNE 07, 2016
| 02
Legislative budget submission does not equal end of session By Kathryn DuFresne copy@thenorthernlight.org
On the night of May 31, the Alaska State Legislature submitted a $4.3 billion fiscal year 2017 operating budget to Governor Bill Walker’s office, however, according to Walker, “this is long from over.” The operating budget is seven percent lower than the FY2016 budget, even with Republican cut funding for early-learning programs, the university system and the base-student allocation returned to the budget. These programs did take a loss, but not as deep as previously thought. With the submission of the budget to the Governor’s office, over 18,000 layoff notices were not sent out on June 1. “We have been trying to push cuts to the roughly billion dollars in oil company subsidies. That has to get fixed that is bleeding the budget dry,” House Finance Committee member Les Gara said of the independent Democratic coalition. “We had a devastating cut to the university that our caucus opposed. We fixed that. We want a uni-
versity people want to attend, not a university people want to say, ‘That’s not good for me. I’m leaving and taking my job to another state.’ We need people to want to live in the state, and a budget is something that helps people decide whether or not they’re going to have schools and a university and jobs in the state or they have to leave. We want them here.” In a press conference on June 1, Walker expressed his concerns over the legislature’s reliance on savings rather than making cuts, stating that despite many meetings with the politicians, they still could not make the necessary moves to keep Alaska in a strong fiscal light. “I hear a lot of discussion about how these are difficult decisions. Well, they may be politically difficult or challenging, but they’re fiscally responsible, and that’s why we were elected to come and make these decisions,” said Walker. “I’ve heard lots of discussion about, ‘let’s get through this next election, we’ll do it after the election.’ You know what, [it’s] time we stop talking about the upcoming election or the reelection, and start making deci-
sions about what’s best for Alaska right now.” The operating budget is a reduction of $500 million over FY 2016, but pulls $3.2 billion from the Constitutional Budget Reserve, which only contains $8 billion in emergency funds. “There’s not enough money in the CBR to do it a second time,” Randall Hoffbeck, Department of Revenue Commissioner said at the June 1 press conference. “So, at best, we’re getting a one year reprieve from the decisions that have to be made.” Walker has eight days to make a decision on the operating budget, but the legislature is not done with their jobs yet. Walker is hoping that the committees can determine how to make the FY2018 budget more fiscally sound with less reliance on the CBR. “We can’t continue with business as usual — last year we did the exact same thing,” said Walker. “That’s not the answer.” Daily costs of the special session from now on, according to the Legislative Affairs Agency will be roughly $26,475, totaling over $1,310,942 in overtime costs if the session continues to its June 22 deadline.
PHOTO BY JAMES BROOKS
Governor Bill Walker has just over a week to determine what stays and goes for the FY2017 operating budget, submitted by the Alaska Legislature late on May 31.
FEATURES
THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, JUNE 07, 2016
| 03
Young Over Yonder: Portage Pass
By Young Kim
ykim@thenorthernlight.org
The hike to Portage Lake and adjacent glacier may very well be one of my favorites in the Kenai Peninsula. Or rather, it would be if I ever finished it. My good friend, Chris, was visiting with his girlfriend, Aspen for a week and wanted to get out and experience some of what Alaska had to offer. Chris, who has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts and specializes in drone work, wanted to get somewhere that offered several unique views. It was already late in the day, so we opted to head south of Anchorage and chase the clear blue skies near Portage Lake. Chris had never hiked Portage Pass before. Once through the 2.5 mile long tunnel in Whittier, AK, we eagerly started at the Portage Pass trailhead. The hike itself (or what I’ve done of it) is fairly easy, and if you are a moderately active individual, should not pose a problem for you at all. There is a somewhat steep elevation in the beginning, about 800 feet in the first mile, but after that, it is relatively flat. Once at the top, there are many different paths one could take. Stick towards the right and you’ll find yourself at the lookout that offers a view of the glacier. Stick to the far left, and you’ll find yourself along a very impressive ridge that looks out towards a few waterfalls and a deep gorge. There is also a middle path, which if you follow for about a mile, will take you to the edge of Portage Lake. From the shoreline, it is about another mile to the face of the glacier. We made a decision to stick to the far left and check out the waterfalls and gorge, as we felt that would have provided the most dynamic vantage point for the drone, and we were not wrong. Simply put and for lack of better words, it was awesome. Although we wanted to follow the trail and check out the lake and glacier, we had to head back down towards the trailhead so that we could make it back on time for the last tunnel back to Anchorage. One day, I’ll go back to finish the whole thing.
PHOTOS BY YOUNG KIM
Aspen Luna stands and looks over Prince William Sound and Whittier at the top of the first mile of the hike.
Chris and Aspen hike on the trail. Awesome views are present almost 360 degrees around when at the top.
04 | FEATURES
THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, JUNE 07, 2016
Quiet spots to study around campus ts
Spo y d u St
By Casey Peterson
cpeterson@thenorthernlight.org
UAA has lots of great places to study between classes. The Spine, Learning Resource Center and the Consortium Library offer plenty of places to study alone or with a group. What if you wish to study in a little quieter environment than any of these? These photos offer a few suggestions where you can go.
PHOTOS BY CASEY PETERSON
The Fine Arts Building has comfortable places to sit and some of the best views on campus to help you study in peace.
The second floor of the Administration Building has light traffic, making it a great place to work in silence.
The southwest and southeast corners of the Professional Studies Building both have little nooks where one can study with no interruption.
The second floor of the Beatrice McDonald Hall has some aesthetically pleasing places to study and enjoy.
The sounds of lap swimmers can create a nice white noise effect inside the Wells-Fargo Sports Complex.
The entrance of the ConocoPhillips Integrated Science Building has a open study area. You might hear a little nice piano music to accompany your homework.
Inside the library, if you go to the back corners, you can usually find open tables that are out of sight and earshot of everything else in the library.
FEATURES
THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, JUNE 07, 2016
| 05
Alaskan made wild rose water Ingredients
By Victoria Petersen
vgpetersen@thenorthernlight.org
You may have noticed delicate pink flowers blooming all over Anchorage. From the side of the Seward Highway to your backyard, wild roses are in full force this season. The roses, which grow in thickets, are very useful and the petals, which bloom in early summer, are edible and can be added to salads, made into syrup, jelly or used to make rose water. In late summer rose hips ripen. Rose hips can be eaten raw, cooked, used in tea, jams, sauce, or baked into breads and other baked goods. When harvesting the petals make sure the flower is bloomed and that you only remove the petals. Removing the whole flower also removes the reproductive parts of the plant. Be aware that the prickly rose lives up to its name, as the stems are lined with small thorns. Rose water can be used in a variety of different products. Rose water is added to both food and drink all over the world, especially in the Middle East. A popular ingredient in cosmetics, rose water is a popular additive of perfumes and other beauty products. With anti-inflammatory properties and anti-aging benefits, rose water makes a great all-natural toner and moisturizer that has been used for centuries, dating all the way back to Ancient Egypt. Rose water is even combined with the water from the Zamzam Well to clean the Kaaba in Mecca.
•
2 cups of rose petals
•
3 cups of water
Directions 1. Clean the petals by tossing in warm water. 2. After you’ve cleaned your petals, dump them into a small pot and put heat on low. Fill the pot with water until the rose petals are submerged and completely saturated in the water. 3. Place a glass lid over the pot and heat on low until the petals have turned white. Occasionally stir the petals around, making sure they are consistently under the water. It took about 45 minutes for my rose petals to turn white. 4. Once the petals are white, take the pot off the heat and pour the water in a bowl using a sieve to filter out the petals and any other foreign objects. The tint of the water will be gold. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
PHOTOS BY VICTORIA PETERSEN
06 | FEATURES
THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, JUNE 07, 2016
GIRDWOOD: Explore the ski town year round for recreational, historical, and cultural opportunities outside of Anchorage Continued from cover
land where the original town site was residing. Girdwood became an official city in 1961, and joined the Municipality of Anchorage in 1975. The small town boasts a multitude of recreational opportunities throughout the year. From heli-skiing to gold panning, Girdwood has an activity for everyone. Girdwood sits within the Chugach National Forest, with trails and outdoor opportunities galore. Davin Doran, who has been living in Girdwood her whole life takes advantage of Girdwood’s access to nature. “My favorite part about Girdwood is having it be super outdoorsy. Hanging out with everyone, you know everyone. I would take someone to Alyeska or just some of the trails around,” Doran said. To really get a feel for the town, hop on the tram. The tram runs daily from 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. May 19 to Oct. 12, and then again daily from Nov. 24 to April 10. The glacier city is home to a handful of restaurants. Some local favorites include the Bake Shop and Chair 5. The Ice Cream Shop at the local Tesoro station is a popular favorite among tourists and locals alike. With a wide selection of flavors, the shop hosts Alaska Supreme ice cream. Alaska Supreme ice cream is ice cream made in Alaska and influenced by local flavors and tastes. Amanda Gilbert, who calls Girdwood home, is all about the charm and seclusion the Glacier City has to offer. “It’s the atmosphere I guess. It’s peaceful, I don’t have to lock my doors, it’s not Anchorage,” Gilbert said. Girdwood hosts many festivals throughout the year. From Slush Cup in the spring to Forest Fair in July, Girdwood festivals celebrate the culture of the town, a culture uniquely their own. The Girdwood forest fair, taking place the first weekend of July, is a gathering of Alaskan artists of all kinds, local food and local Alaskan vendors from around the state. Venture to Girdwood, Alaska to get a taste of an Alaskan small town; chock full of history, excellent food and plenty to do.
PHOTOS BY YOUNG KIM
The handtram of Winner Creek Trail is a fun and easy activity for the whole family.
At the top of the Alyeska tram stands the Roundhouse that once served as the top of the resort’s charlift.
There are many hikes to do in the Girdwood area including Winner Creek Trail and Crow Pass.
SEE PHOTOS
PAGE 7
FEATURES
THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, JUNE 07, 2016
| 07
Make sure to stop by The Bake Shop, a local favorite, for a quick bite to eat.
Chair 5 Restaurant serves as a watering hole for the people in the Girdwood area who are either looking for some grub or something to drink.
This small waterfall is accessible within the first quarter mile of the Virgin Creek Falls trailhead.
The Alyeska Resort as seen from the aerial tram.
A&E
THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, JUNE 07, 2016
| 08
BOOK REVIEW
TNL summer reads to enjoy in the sun ‘Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus’
Into the Wild
East of Eden
Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal
by Orson Scott Card
by Jon Krakauer
by John Steinbeck
by Mary Roach
By Young Kim
By Victoria Petersen
By Casey Peterson
By Kathryn DuFresne
Orson Scott Card plays with the idea of time travel and the effects it can have in altering history and the timeline. In the first book of a proposed series, the novel follows the lives of Christopher Columbus as he embarks to a new world and a future scientist who is able to study time and deduces the world’s end as result of Columbus’s explorations. Anyone who is a fan of science and historical fiction and the moral and ethical implications that time travel pose owes it to themselves to read this over the summer.
Krakauer takes you into the mind of Christopher McCandless, a seemingly troubled individual who gave up the pleasantries of modern day society to live a vagabond lifestyle that lead him through the deserts of the American Southwest, Mexico, and then eventually to the Last Frontier where he died in the infamous bus 142, off the Stampede trail near Healy, Alaska. Whether you agree or don’t agree with burning your money and running away to the wilderness to pursue a lifestyle built entirely on the kindness and hospitality of others, McCandless’s story is one of an idealistic lifestyle we all can’t help but admire. A perfect summer read to inspire you to get outside and simply be closer to nature.
The best thing I have read this year hands down. This semi biographical book is set in Salinas California, where Steinbeck grew up. Though Steinbeck himself is a character in the book, he is a very minor one, instead the story mostly revolves around Adam Trask and his family. The book was inspired by the biblical account of Cain and Abel and most of the story is constructed to follow similar patterns to this biblical tale. Cain and Abel’s story is exemplified through three different pairs of people in the book, with one of the primary motivations being to show possible ways to interpret Cain and Abel’s tale; even venturing into the possible veneration of Cain from his supposed fate the bible’s account. This beautifully written book will give your brain plenty to ponder during the summer break.
This non-fiction book takes you on an adventure on the path of the food we eat: from top to bottom. Although the subject matter is taboo, the wit and wisdom from the brave scientists who study it makes this an honest to goodness pageturner. Gulp covers the uncomfortable – can constipation kill you? – the weird – why doesn’t the stomach digest itself? – and the interesting – why are humans attracted to crunchy foods? Roach’s exploration of the gut is the first of it’s kind, and although disgusting at points, the book is an endlessly fascinating read about an everyday activity. I have never found myself wondering how many varieties of spit there are (two – stimulated and unstimulated) or if the stomach could burst with too much food, but Gulp ends up being not as gross as one would think. It’s a book about us, human beings, not just the processes inside of us.
ykim@thenorthernlight.org
vgpetersen@thenorthernlight.org
cpeterson@thenorthernlight.org
copy@thenorthernlight.org
A&E
THENORTHERNLIGHT THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, JUNE JUNE 07, 07, 2016 2016 TUESDAY,
Horoscopes June 7 - June 21
|| 09
ALBUM REVIEW REVIEW ALBUM
Chance preaches preaches and and the the world world Chance rejoices for for Coloring Coloring Book Book rejoices
By Victoria Petersen
A new relationship is on its way. Whether a love or a friendship, this new relationship is worth putting time into, as it will last for years to come. It might seem that it won’t work out, but have faith, Aquarius.
You have an opportunity to make a name for yourself this summer! You’re reaching new heights in your career and your determination to your work is showing. Don’t get lazy now, because a new opportunity will present itself at the end of the month.
A long road trip is in your future. Make sure to have your map and a friend to accompany you along the way. Take this time to explore new places, while ultimately finding yourself. Take the extra time off you have this summer as an opportunity to make some cash. Have a garage sale to sell some old stuff, and use the money you gain to treat yourself. They say experiences make you happier, and what better way to declutter your life than to declutter your closet and take yourself out on the town. Don’t be too down on yourself. You might be feeling less social on June 3, but opportunities for fun social activities will find your way and you’ll definitely want to take advantage of them. You’ll need your friends most on June 4 when an unexpected expense arises. Don’t worry, this will only be temporary. Take this next weekend off to recharge. Maybe go on a solo road trip, or spend some time at home to have some one on one time with yourself. Use this time to reflect on your future and rethink important decisions you are in the process of making. Being the fiery feline that you, you’ve taken extra measures to get ahead in your career. This has resulted in all work and no play for little leo. Take some time to have some fun with your friends and get out on the town. You’ve shown your initiative at work and now it’s time to get a much needed break. You’ve been rising to the top in your career, good for you! A promotion of sorts will be in your future, but you’ll be distracted by some family and home concerns. These concerns are only temporary, but think very hard about accepting this promotion. It’s time to see the world! You might have been feeling lost lately. Take this opportunity to throw a pin on the map and throw caution to the wind. Find a fun summer job and save your money for a big trip to a new country. Get out of your comfort zone, Libra. You’ll learn more about the world and about yourself. Don’t give up Scorpio! You’ve been feeling blue and behind for some time now, but never forget that hard work pays off. With Mars in retrograde this month, your courageous and and determined spirit will shine, helping you get to a better place soon. Take some time to do some self reflection. Examining your closest relationships and goals will be monumental in helping you get to where you need to be. You might have to let a friend go, but in the end you’ll find yourself happier hanging around less negative people. Look for more positive influences. A new project will come your way. This new project will give you something to work on and will further your career, so take it seriously! Put lots of thought into what you add to this project, and the results will be fantastic. GRAPHICS BY JIAN BAUTISTA AND DEMI STRAUGHN
By Wright Wright Franklin Franklin By Contributor Contributor
The two two weeks weeks of of exclusive exclusive rights rights that that Chance Chance the the The Rappersigned signedover overto toApple AppleMusic Musicfor forhis histhird thirdalbum/ album/ Rapper mixtapeare areup upand andititisisfinally finallyavailable availableto tothe thepublic publicfor for mixtape free.IfIfyou youare areone oneof ofhis hismillions millionsof offans fanswho whocouldn’t couldn’t free. waitthose thosetwo twoweeks, weeks,you youeither eitherpurchased purchasedApple AppleMusic Music wait or pirated pirated it. it. I’m I’m pleading pleading the the fifth fifth on on which which group group I’m I’m or in.Regardless, Regardless,Coloring ColoringBook Bookhas hasbeen beenon onrepeat repeatsince since in. then in in my my car, car, atat home, home, atat work, work, and and in in the the shower. shower. then Chance has has stepped stepped his his game game up up in in every everypossible possibleway way Chance on this this project, project, and and itit isis clear clear that that he he has has grown grown as as an an on artistand andas asaarapper. rapper.ItIthas hasbeen beenaalong longtime timesince sinceI’ve I’ve artist heardaastrong strongfeel-good feel-goodrap rapalbum albumand andthis thisisis100% 100%that. that. heard Having featured featured on on Kanye’s Kanye’s “Ultralight “Ultralight Beam” Beam” on on Having The Life Life of of Pablo, Pablo, and and trumpeted trumpeted (because (because there there are are The plentyof ofhorns hornson onColoring ColoringBook) Book)for forhelping helpingwith withproproplenty duction on on the the song song “Waves,” “Waves,” buzz buzz was was building building for for duction youngChace’s Chace’supcoming upcomingthird thirdproject. project.With Withthe therelease release young of the the single, single, “Angels,” “Angels,” excitement excitement only only grew. grew. Upon Upon of release of of the the album, album, itit was was met met with with all all around around posiposirelease tive response, response, except except for for the the slight slight backlash backlash to to itit being being tive exclusivelyreleased releasedon onApple AppleMusic Music––aamove movethat thatmay may exclusively putChance Chancein inthe therunning runningfor foraaGrammy. Grammy. put ColoringBook Bookisisnot notan analbum, album,but butaaSunday Sundayservice, service, Coloring in the the absolute absolute best best way. way. The The choir choir and and alter alter are are there, there, in and we we are are all all atat the the Church Church of of Chance. Chance. He He testifies testifies and abouthis hisaddiction addictionto toXanax Xanaxon on“Angels,” “Angels,”the theenormous enormous about number of of deaths deaths of of young young men men in in Chicago Chicago on on “Sum“Sumnumber merFriends” Friends”with withFrancis Francisthe theLights, Lights,who whosounds soundseerily eerily mer like Justin Justin Vernon, Vernon, and and even even dedicates dedicates two two and and aa half half like minuteson on“How “HowGreat” Great”to tothe theLord Lordhimself. himself.The Thechoir choir minutes hasaahint hintof ofvocoder vocodermaking makingititsound soundlike likeaasermon sermonon onaa has spaceshuttle. shuttle.The Theguest guestpreachers preachersinclude includeTwo TwoChainz, Chainz, space Young Thug Thug and and Jay Jay Electronica, Electronica, who who all all spit spit absolute absolute Young fire. fire. Kanye West West tweeted tweeted about about The The Life Life of of Pablo, Pablo, statstatKanye ing that that itit isis “actually “actually aa Gospel Gospel album.” album.”This Thisstatement statement ing was laughable, laughable, considering considering the the some some of of the the vulgarity vulgarity was and trap-influence trap-influence of of the the album. album. However, However, on on Coloring Coloring and Book,the thestatement statementisisaalot lotmore morerelevant. relevant. Book, ARTIST ARTIST Chance the the Rapper Rapper Chance
GENRE GENRE Hip-hop Hip-hop
ALBUM ALBUM
RELEASE RELEASE May 12, 12, 2016 2016 May
“Coloring Book” Book” “Coloring
SPORTS
THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, JUNE 07, 2016
| 10
Recruiting season: Seawolves restock athletes across numerous sports
By Jordan Rodenberger
jrodenberger@thenorthernlight.org
A common phrase collegiate and professional athletes use is “there is no offseason.” This is not only applicable to those playing the game, but to those coaching and organizing the teams as well. This is a busy time of year for the coaching staff and front offices of collegiate sports, as they scramble to get athletes from all across the world to sing a National Letters of Intent. Several UAA sports are already knee-deep in the recruiting season, and more are to come. There is a lot of young talent taking their skills to the Last Frontier to play for the Green and Gold.
Women’s Basketball
Coming off a runner-up finish in the National Championship game, the Lady Seawolves did not take much time in trying to replace the seven seniors lost. The first signee for them was 5’9” guard Zhara Laster from St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Laster was a standout at Peninsula College, leading the program to their best years in school history. She averaged 9.7 points per game, 10.4 rebounds per game and swiped 3.2 steals per game last season. This earned her the Northwest Athletic Conference Northern Region Defensive Player of the Year honors. “Zhara is an extremely athletic guard who can impact the game on many levels,” head coach Ryan McCarthy said, who was named West Region Coach of the Year during the 2015-16 season. “Her relentless effort on defense really stands out, but she can also be an effective offensive threat and brings very high ceiling for improvement. Just as importantly, she has proven to be a winner on the court, with her team going 48-11 in her two seasons.” The next domino to fall for the women’s basketball team was forward Shelby Cloninger, who attended North Idaho Junior College. Cloninger averaged a team high 13.5 points and also added 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. She played 18 games as a true freshman for NCAA Division I Utah State prior to singing at North Idaho. “We are very excited to have Shelby as part of our Seawolf family here at UAA,” McCarthy said. “Shelby was recruited at a high level and enjoyed some success in Division I. She also comes from a very successful JUCO program and has been well coached. Her balance of skill and athleticism allows her to score from multiple areas on the floor. I think Seawolf fans will really enjoy watching her play.”
PHOTOS BY SAM WASSON
Head coach Matt Thomas discusses key points of the game during a timeout of a game in the 2015-16 season
Another notable recruit is Div. I transfer Autummn Williams, who will have one year of eligibility for the Seawolves after coming over from Little Rock. “Autummn is an elite athlete who, at 5’10”, can cover a lot of ground and will be probably the best leaper I have coached at the guard position.” McCarthy said. “She is a tenacious defender and can make plays at the rim that are unique to our level. I think Seawolf fans will really enjoy watching Autummn compete this next season.” On June 1, the Lady Seawolves added yet another piece to their roster. Dominique Thomas of Kilgore Junior College inked her national letter of intent after earning First Team All-Region XIV her sophomore season while putting up 12.6 points and hauling in 7.6 rebounds per game. Other players who have signed their letter of intent for the UAA women’s basketball team are guards Kaitlyn Hurley from Snow College, and Kimijah King who is signing out of high school.
Skiing
To kick off recruitment for the skiing program, head ski coach Sparky Anderson announced the signing of four skiers. The new racers coming in include Zackarias Toresson, Natalie Hynes, Michaela Keller-Miller and Hannah Rudd. “We are very excited about the incoming recruits for next season,” Anderson said. “We believe this group will produce results for us straight out of the box and will continue to get better and better.” Toresson is from Varberg, Sweden, and skied for Saevast Ski Team, who competed in National Championships
Kara Viotto poses after signing her National Letter of Intent to play volleyball for the UAA Seawolves.
several times. Hynes reigns from Whitehorse, Yukon, and finished with a top10 result at the National Championships this March. Another skier was added to the roster a few weeks after the foursome had signed. Dominic Unterberger, from Revelstoke, British Columbia, is an Alpine skier who just put his signature on the dotted line to become a Seawolf.
Hockey
After coming off of a disappointing 2015-16 campaign, if the hockey team looks to bounce back next season, they will need production from the newest members skating in green and gold. In late April, head coach Matt Thomas locked up six players, all international athletes. Attacking forwards being added to the squad are Aleksi Ainali of Vihti, Finland and Corey Renwick from Nanoose Bay, B.C. “Aleksi is someone who we feel can be a difference maker in the offensive zone,” Thomas said. “Corey is a guy that will do whatever he needs to do in order to help his team win.” The Seawolves also had four defensemen join the team this offseason. Julius Marva and Tomi Hiekkavirta are both from Finland and hope to bring versatility and relentlessness to the table. “Julius is a player who is just beginning to tap into his potential,” Thomas said. “Tomi is a top-end skater with elite vision, he has the ability to make our power play better from the get go. Traveling from Landshut, Germany is David Trinkberger, who stands at 6’5” and has played for Germany’s U20 team the last two seasons.
“He is an imposing defensive defenseman that keeps things simple. He has high-end character and is a workhorse both on and off the ice,” Thomas said. The fourth defenseman singed by the Seawolves was Nolan Nicholas. “Throughout the recruiting process, everyone who knew Nolan could not say enough positive things in regards to his character and leadership qualities. All winning teams need guys like Nolan and we are excited that he chose UAA,” Thomas said.
Volleyball
Volleyball has revamped their roster for the 2016-17 season by added six talented women. Junior-college transfer Keala Kaio-Perez, from Hawaii, played for the NJCAA national runner-up last season, helping lead Western Nebraska Community College to a 42-5 record. Another JC star making a transition to Div. II is two-time All-Region IX performer Anais Vargas, who will help replace some of the kills that were lost from the seniors who have moved on. The Volleyball team also signed four players out of high school, including one local from Alaska. Diana Fa’amausili, Madison Fisher, Vanessa Hayes and Kara Viotta from Eagle River High School have all decided to begin their collegiate career with the Seawolves. Coming of their best record in program history, UAA hopes these newcomers can help build upon an amazing season. While other athletes continue to sign, and rosters progress, the Seawolf athletic programs are in good shape heading into the 2016-17 season.
Zhara Laster of Peninsula College rises up for a layup against Everett College.
OPINION
THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, JUNE 07, 2016
| 11
The Northern Light is a proud member of the ASSOCIATED COLLEGIATE PRESS. The Northern Light is a weekly UAA publication funded by student fees and advertising sales. The editors and writers of The Northern Light are solely responsible for its contents. Circulation is 2,500. The University of Alaska Anchorage provides equal education and employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, Vietnam-era or disabled-veteran status, physical or mental disability, changes in marital status, pregnancy or parenthood. The views expressed in the opinion section do not necessarily reflect the views of UAA or the Northern Light.
LETTERS AND CORRECTIONS POLICY Letters to the editor can be submitted to editor@thenorthernlight.org. The maximum length is 250 words. Opinion pieces can be submitted to editor@thenorthernlight.org. The maximum word length is 450 words. Letters and opinion pieces are subject to editing for grammar, accuracy, length and clarity. Requests for corrections can be sent to editor@thenorthernlight.org. Print publication is subject to accuracy and available space. All corrections are posted online with the original story at www. thenorthernlight.org. The Northern Light newsroom is located on the first floor of the Student Union, directly next to Subway.
THE NORTHERN LIGHT CONTACTS 3211 Providence Drive Student Union 113 Anchorage, AK 99508
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jian Bautista jbautista@thenorthernlight.org
MANAGING EDITOR Sam Davenport content@thenorthernlight.org
MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE Milo Stickle-Frizzell marketing@thenorthernlight.org
COPY EDITOR Kathryn DuFresne copy@thenorthernlight.org
CONTRIBUTORS Wright Franklin
NEWS EDITOR Victoria Petersen vgpetersen@thenorthernlight.org ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Jordan Rodenberger jrodenberger@thenorthernlight.org PHOTO EDITOR Casey Peterson cpeterson@thenorthernlight.org STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Young Kim ykim@thenorthernlight.org LAYOUT EDITOR Demi Straughn layout@thenorthernlight.org
MEDIA ADVISER Paola Banchero ADMINISTRATIVE ADVISER Zac Clark ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Stacey Parker OPEN POSITIONS Executive Editor A&E Editor Assistant News Editor Features Editor Assistant Features Editor A&E Editor Assistant A&E Editor Sports Editor Staff Reporters Multimedia Editor Advertising Manager