Brittney Bradford graduated from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho on May 14 with a bachelor degree in radiographic science and an associate degree in liberal arts. She took online classes through the University of Idaho, maintaining at least 28 credits each semester to graduate in three years.
Bradford plans to continue schooling and training to be registered in multiple areas. “I will be staying in Idaho and working in both Washington and Idaho since I live on the State border. There are several large hospitals here that need technologists with multiple registrations in different modalities for the constant trauma flow,” Bradford said.
Brittney’s parents, Scott and Candi Bradford, attended her graduation.
Renee Hoffman and Alissa Henry are home from Utah where they participated in the Ragnar Trail Zion relay race. The pair met up with former residents Christa Pottenger, along with five other women to run, relay-style, continually over two full days and one night. The teams set up camp at Zion Ponderosa Ranch, outside of Zion National Park. The team of eight runners took turns and cycled through a series of three challenging trail loops that started and finished at Ragnar Village. The team was third in the women’s eight master’s division in a time of 27:35:30. They finished 110th out of 382 total teams overall which included men, women, and coed teams. “Not bad (for those of us coming from Haines) as we trained at sea level in 40 degree weather and the event took place at 6,800 feet in 85 degrees. We also lost a little time during the night when a runner got lost because her headlamp died,” Hoffman said. Former Haines residents Tina Schaeffer and Lauren (Personette) McCaffery joined in the fun as support crew for the team.
The Alaska Arts Confluence held a fundraiser last weekend at the Fort Seward Sculpture Garden to benefit the garden. At the event “From Trash to Treasure” there was a silent and live auction with auctioneer Tom Morphet. Attendees also enjoyed food trucks, a cash bar, and live music with musicians: Henry Leasia, JoJo Goerner, Jim Lampkins, and Andrew Cardella.
Art Confluence board member Audrey Smith said of the event, “We at the Alaska Arts Confluence, including our co-chair Laura Clement, are thrilled with the community response to our event. We had so many creators and bakers, individual volunteers and businesses participating. This marks the evolution to a community wide venue, with our first wedding scheduled. We are amazed and grateful.”
At Lynn Canal Conservation’s 50th anniversary member party May 1, the organization recognized citizens for local conservation efforts.
Executive director Jessica Plachta reported, “We’re so fortunate to have so many dedicated individuals and organizations pitching in to help make the Chilkat Valley such an amazing place to live. These awards seek to celebrate the interconnectedness of our efforts– how we each support and uplift each other.”
Erika Merklin was recognized for her work toward local food security through the Mosquito Lake Community Center Victory Garden. Melissa Aronson, chair of Haines Friends of Recycling, was recognized for her years of service as the guiding voice for waste reduction and recycling in our community. Derek Poinsette was recognized for his essential work on water quality and preventing human-bear conflicts. Shannon Donahue and Gershon Cohen were recognized for their endless and courageous work as mining watchdogs. Each awardee received a gift certificate for a different local business. The party was catered by Lauren McPhun, who fed more than 80 people with her delectable chile verde tamales. The event took place at Chilkat Inlet Retreat, and included festivities including live music, a bonfire, and door prizes.