SARAH HOWARD | 34

Hometown: Palmer

Current City: Girdwood

Education: High school diploma, Poynette High School, Poynette, Wis.; Bachelor of Science in both biology and wildlife ecology and management, minor in captive wildlife management, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point

Community Work: Aside from my professional career, I am also a member of the Girdwood Fire Department (GFD), and currently serve as a Lieutenant. I have been working with GFD for 10 years, and have acquired my Fire Fighter I, HazMat, Alaska State EMT-I and II level certifications, as well as engineer and CEVO certifications. Family: My husband and our fur-kids, Remi, Riggs and Harley, live in Portage. My mom and both of my brothers and their family's live in Wisconsin. We were all born and raised in Alaska before my family relocated to Wisconsin due to a job offer for my dad. The majority of my extended family members all trickled out of state before I moved back. I was always determined to come "home," and somehow made it reality after my education was completed.

What is your favorite place in Alaska and why?: My absolute favorite place to visit is Homer. The Kenai Peninsula holds a lot of childhood memories for me, so returning to Homer always helps me feel grounded, and paying my annual pilgrimage to the Bear Creek Winery isn't so bad, either.

Name the person you respect and why: I have a number of mentors and folks I hold in high regard in my life. My high school coach, Mr. Bob Tomlinson, taught me something in my younger years that I still carry with me today: He mentioned during a class one day that "life is all about choices." In every scenario we are presented with, we have a choice in how we choose to act, respond, absorb and hold onto that information. If we are presented with an opportunity, we can choose to let it go or take the chance. At any point, we can change the direction of our life by a simple choice.

What is your favorite pastime or hobby away from work?: Bike riding and hanging out with my dogs!

What was your first job?: I started babysitting around age 10, when my older brother was "fired" from watching my little brother and me. I continued babysitting for neighborhood families until I got my driver's license and started working at our rival town's "Piggly Wiggly" grocery store!

What has been your most rewarding community service?: Becoming a firefighter. My grandpa and my father were both firefighters, and both in Alaska! Remembering the community of folks my mom and dad had in the fire service made me want to find that for myself whenever I found a place to call "home." Grateful for my GFD fire family.

In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling?: Being a part of the Wood Bison Restoration Project. When you go to school for wildlife biology/conservation, you read about these pivotal moments when conservation works and follow reintroductions, such as the black-footed ferret, throughout your tenure. When I started as an intern with the AWCC, and later full-time, I was able to help feed and care for over 150 wood bison at the AWCC, helping release 130 of them into the wild in 2015. I never thought I would have found a place to be a part of a story such as this, and I did when I landed at the AWCC. The release of those 130 animals was not the end of the project, and I still get to help participate in wood bison restoration in Alaska today. What a rush! Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good work-life balance?: Make the time, make that choice that gives you that time. Referencing my high school basketball coach's wisdom again here, your choices are your own. If you want to go have dinner with friends, enjoy a cocktail, and finish the report in the morning? Then do it. The report will be there whether you work on it tonight or tomorrow, chances are you'll revisit it in the morning anyways so enjoy your evening. Of course, having a husband and dogs, too, is very helpful in guilting you into playtime and putting a pause on work!