Congrats To Our Regional Winners!

Let’s begin with a big round of applause for the six slope teams heading off to Anchorage to participate
in the 2010 State Basketball Tournament. The Barrow boys and girls, the Point Hope boys and girls, the
Wainwright girls and the Anaktuvuk Pass boys will all be making a bid to bring a state title home to their
communities. I hope to see everyone in Anchorage next week and I can’t wait for the excitement of “March
Madness – Alaska Style.”

March Madness Is More Than Hoops

The past two weeks, not everyone was involved in basketball on the regional level. While the 1A regional tournament
was played out in Point Lay, “Challenge Life” continued to provide excitement in the communities. Sam Sokaitis, spent a
weekend in Atqasuk teaching guitar and providing a basketball experience for the grade school boys and girls and then
headed out to Kaktovik. At Barter Island, Sam provided classroom music demonstrations, gave lessons after school and
played basketball with all grade levels. “Challenge Life” felt it was important, with so many students away at the tournaments,
to provide some educational and healthy opportunities for those left behind.

Mentors To Join Coach Sokaitis In Anchorage

In the continuing effort to develop coaches and mentors from each community, Coach Sokaitis will have Lloyd Pikok and
Christian “Coot” Young of Point Lay join him in Anchorage for job shadowing and training throughout the state tournament.

“Challenge Life” Summer Programs Offer World Class Experience

“Challenge Life” is initiating a series of academic and athletic opportunities for Arctic Slope residents that should prove
a giant step in keeping young adults involved in positive summer fun. One example, currently being developed by Leonard
Barger of Point Hope and the “Challenge Life” staff, is to bring the Point Hope boys and girls cross-country team to Gunnison,
Colorado for a week of training. Gunnison, summer home of Coach Sokaitis, is the training ground of many of the world’s
elite runners. Located at an elevation of almost 8,000 feet and surrounded by mountains, the local college (Western
State College) has won numerous national championships. The Point Hope students would have the opportunity to train
with world class athletes and meet the legendary running coach, Duane Vandenbush. There will also be time set aside for
white water rafting, biking and hiking.

That’s all for now, see you in Anchorage!

Al & Mike

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