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Vol. 49, Issue 201
Soccer
Trump lashes out after Pelosi barb
Area teams battle at state tourney
Nation/A5
Sports/A8
60/40 More weather on Page A2
W of 1 inner Awa 0* 201 Exc rds f 8 o e Rep llence r i or ti * Ala n n ska Pres g! s
CLARION P E N I N S U L A
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Friday-Saturday, May 24-25, 2019 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
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Soldotna receives funds for park, airport upgrades
In the news Former PTA treasurer charged with theft of group’s funds ANCHORAGE — A 31-year-old former PTA treasurer at an Anchorage elementary school has been charged with stealing more than $7,100 from the group. Kayla Faaloua is charged with theft and misapplication of property at William Tyson Elementary School. Anchorage Police Department Detective Michele Logan in a criminal complaint says thefts occurred between April and July 2017 when Faaloua controlled the PTA bank account. School staff noticed questionable debit card transactions and cash withdrawals in July 2017. Logan says that after initially saying withdrawals were made for PTA purchases including school landscaping, food and T-shirts, Faaloua acknowledged she had used PTA money to repair her broken-down car in Fairbanks and to buy rain gear. Faaloua’s attorney, public defender Samuel Gottstein, said by email Thursday he had no comment on the case.
Fairbanks motorcycle driver dies in crash into trees FAIRBANKS — A 38-year-old Fairbanks motorcycle driver died when his bike crashed northeast of the city. Alaska State Troopers say Alexander Holder died in the accident late Tuesday night. A witness told troopers that Holder was traveling at high speed on the Old Steese Highway when he lost control and drove into trees. He crashed and was ejected into a creek. Emergency responders from the Steese Volunteer Fire Department attempted life-saving measures but Holder died at the scene. The state medical examiner will conduct an autopsy. — Associated Press
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Partly sunny
By KAT SORENSEN Peninsula Clarion
“The people in the community, especially in Soldotna, have been one of the most amazing things.” She’s moving on from Alaska to attend George
Soldotna was awarded a grant for $550,000 to improve accessibility and pedestrian pathways throughout the city’s downtown and Soldotna Creek Park. The project includes the construction of an American Disabilities Act compliant trail from Soldotna Creek Park to Homestead Lane, a sidewalk leading to the Soldotna Creek footbridge and paving of the park’s nearly 2,300 feet of gravel trails. The grant was awarded by the Department of Transportation, according to Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen. “The grant awards federal monies through the State of Alaska DOT, for the purpose of improving access to City amenities for those experiencing disabilities, and to provide non-motor-
See SOHI, page A16
See GRANT, page A15
Soldotna High School graduates wait to walk across the stage at Wednesday’s ceremony at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
SoHi ‘remembers the moments’ By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
Soldotna High School graduated around 170 seniors Wednesday evening at the Soldotna Regional
Sports Complex. In her speech, valedictorian Tanis Lorring implored her peers to remember the best moments from their high school careers. Lorring, who has lived in
Soldotna for the last two years, said she’s grateful the community welcomed her with open arms. “There’s a lot of things about high school that I just loved,” Lorring said.
Freedom to learn Kenai Alternative High School graduates share their stories By Brian Mazurek Peninsula Clarion
For many of the 21 graduating seniors of Kenai Alternative High School, their place of learning doubled as a second home. The school gave the students freedom to go at their own pace while completing the credits necessary for a high school diploma, and the relaxed and close-knit environment of the school allowed these kids to learn and grow where they may have struggled elsewhere. 2019 graduate Clifton Etter found his way to Kenai from Durango, Colorado, after aging out of the foster care system, and he referred to his years spent See ALT, page A16
By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
Hope Hoadley, left, Principal Loren Reese, center, and Collins Fleming, Jr, right, announce the turning of the tassels during the Kenai Alternative High School 2019 graduation held at the high school’s gym in Kenai on Wednesday. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Heading for new opportunities Connections home-school graduates look ahead By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
Seniors in the district’s Connections home-school program received their diplomas Thursday night at the Soldotna High School auditorium. The program, which graduated 76 students, had five valedictorians, one of whom offered a speech to his peers. Tyle Owens said he was nervous about speaking in public, however, he used the opportunity to overcome his stage fright. “A person who has never failed, has never accomplished anything in life,” Owens told his class. As part of the ceremony, principal Rich Bartolowits invited parents on stage to hand students their diplomas. Bartolowits invited stuSee HOME, page A16
District certifies hundreds in Microsoft Expert courses
Graduate Emerald Miller recieves her high school diploma from her parents at the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Connections home-school program graduation ceremony at Soldotna High School on Thursday. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/ Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Prep student Sarina Wilkinson is almost a certified Microsoft Office Expert. Since starting her first year of high school this fall, she’s completed five out of the six certification courses. The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District became a Microsoft Certification Testing Center two years ago, and as of this week the district has certified 243 students and teachers through the district’s distance learning program. Students can earn up to six certifications through the program. Wilkinson has been certified in MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook and MS Word Expert. She’s one test away from become a Microsoft Office Specialist Master. The trainings have allowed her to earn two high school credits and 12 college credits from University of Alaska Anchorage. “I figured the programs would help me for when I want to go to college and get a job,” Wilkinson said. “I liked the classes and working at my own pace.” She said the trainings have helped her in her schoolwork. “I use it when I make power points for classes and type up essays for language arts,” Wilkinson said. Wilkinson’s last test focuses on the most difficult parts of Microsoft Excel, and requires her to memorize several formulas. “It’s a lot harder than the other tests,” she said. Every high school student in the district is eligiSee EXCEL, page A15