Alaska Immigration Justice Project's Portraits

Moyce Polanco, Author Moyce Polanco was born the middle of 11 children to Pablo Polanco and Elsa González de Polanco in Dominican Republic. He has lived in Alaska since the age of 17. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at the University of Alaska Anchorage while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Moyce married Sara and they have three beautiful daughters; Sara, Raquel, and Esther. He is the senior pastor of a local Hispanic Christian church and also works at the Anchorage School District in the Information Technology Department. Moyce loves learning new things, experiencing new technology, teaching, reading, swimming, helping people, gardening, doing home improvements, watching movies with his family and “running away” to romantic escapades with his wife. He enjoys being a husband, a father, a pastor, a brother, and a friend.

Lara Shogren, Author Lara Shogren is a Wells Fargo store manager for its newly remodeled Sears Mall location. She is a 10year veteran of the company and lifelong Alaskan. She began her financial services career as a parttime teller while attending UAA and was promoted to store manager in 2007. Shogren graduated from UAA in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in History. Shogren has learned many valuable leadership lessons in her 10 years of leadership. “Great leaders empower their teams,” Shogren says.“I teach my team that they can achieve anything through hard work and dedication,” says Shogren. “It’s okay to make mistakes – it’s how you handle adversity that makes you a great leader.” Shogren volunteers in the community as head aquatics coach for Special Olympics Alaska. Recently she has donated her time to Junior Achievement, and Alaska Immigration Justice Project. She is quite the world traveler she takes three trips a year. Some of the “most-interesting” places she’s been to are: Belize, La Paz and Guatemala, but her favorite place on earth is her families cabin located on Lake Susitna, Alaska.

Josh Worley, Artist Joshua Worley is just trying to serve God the best he can, and raise awareness of issues that he cares about.