Anna Szymanski graduated magna cum laude from Williams College on June 2 with a degree in biology. She was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, a national honor society, and received the Frederick Stratton Fellowship in Biology. Parents Randa and Jim Szymanski were on hand to celebrate her graduation. Anna will pursue a master’s degree in marine biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks this fall.
Parents Charlie and Toni DeWitt announced the college graduation of daughter Tiffany DeWitt on May 20. Tiffany has been taking classes online for two years while working in Haines and raising daughter Brooklyn. She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Prescott College in Prescott, Ariz.
Kathy Lowden, mom of Bob Lowden, is visiting Haines for two weeks from her home in Fort Wayne, Ind. She is spending time with Bob and daughter-in-law Lucy Rubio. This is her 10th visit to Haines. “You never get tired of the sights around here,” she said.
Karen Bryant, director and teacher at Haines Head Start, recently graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Karen also earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Michigan Technological University. Karen has worked for the Rural Alaska Community Action Program for 14 years. When she isn’t working at Head Start, Karen cooks for summer dog mushing tours on the Juneau icefield.
Richard Clayton, son of Nora Krake and the late Roy Clayton Sr., graduated from University of Alaska Southeast on May 6 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and human resource management. A 1985 Haines High School graduate, Richard is raising three grade-school-aged children in Juneau.
Dakota Benzel, granddaughter of the late Mirinda Stuart, graduated form Stanwood High School in Stanwood, Wash. June 8. Nora Krake attended the graduation in honor of Mirinda. Dakota lived with Mirinda in Haines during grade school. She was active in the Haines Dolphins Swim Team.
Haines People for Peace saw a record turnout at its annual “Peace Pancake” event Sunday. Organizer George Figdor said the rainy morning might have sent hungry bikers in search of a warm, indoor meal. John White stirred up buckets of sourdough pancake batter in the days leading up to the event. Cindy Buxton coordinated the production of the local rhubarb syrup. The peace group also sponsors the “Building Bridges” project in coordination with the student council. Building Bridges offers a grant to the student council to help an organization that works to help others or promote peace. For two years, the student council has supported the Kilimanjaro Orphanage with the grant. Students Gabrielle St. Clair and Sheeshao White greeted guests at the pancake breakfast and talked about the positive effects of the orphanage project.
Haines Cub Scouts camped out at the Takshanuk Mountain Trail hospitality cabin over the weekend. Den Leader Jayme Dozier said the outing was an opportunity for new and old scouts to get to know each other over games of tag and a marshmallow roast. Parent Christy Verhamme led the scouts and parents up the trail in all-terrain “mules.” Jayme is organizing a scout scavenger hunt in July and looking for volunteers to help with it. Call her at 314-0504.
The Haines Chamber of Commerce is looking for someone to sponsor and coordinate the annual pie-eating contest during Fourth of July festivities. Call Jamie Knudsen at the Chamber office, 766-2202 or email [email protected]. The pie-eating contest is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.