Hi Folks,

Here is a quick update on another exciting “Challenge Life” week of events.

Mike and I had the opportunity to entertain eleven students and three adults from Nuiqsut, traveling to Anchorage last week. The students, members of the men’s and women’s basketball team, spent some quality time participating in the following activities:

• Attended the UAF vs. UAA men’s basketball game.
• Toured the UAA campus.
• Visited the ASRC headquarters in Anchorage to connect students with their culture and their future and listened to representatives

discuss job opportunities.

• Played two basketball games.
• Developed team building skills.
• Planned a “Challenge Life” weekend in late March to include a concert and family basketball tournament.

Following our time with the Nuiqsut crew, I traveled northwest to Point Hope to work with the men’s and women’s basketball
teams as they begin their final preparation for the regional tournament. The women tuned up for regionals by taking two games from a visiting Lathrop squad on Friday and Saturday. The men used practice to add the final touches on their quest to defend their regional and state titles of 2009.

A quick shout out to the students at Anaktuvuk Pass. They have done a great job in sending me artwork and music for two “Challenge Life” programs and we can’t wait to see some finished products of expression make their way into final copies.

This week, Point Lay should be the scene of some exciting hoop action with the 1A squads trying to punch their tickets for the
State Tournament in Anchorage. Point Hope and Barrow look to do the same in their respective divisions. Good Luck to all!

Matt Lewis and Cameron Levanger will be visiting Slope communities next week to put the final touches on their music CD’s. The finished product
will include Matt, Cam and a host of local musicians combining cultural and western sounds.

Coaches, if you get a second this week before heading out for tournament play, please send me the names of your top players. I will be taking a
group of seniors to Washington in April to visit colleges and play in front of coaches. Last year, 15 of our 19 men and women, found a school that they are now attending.

A Final Note

Have you seen the back of the new Sacajawea Dollar? Every year, the mint will be producing a new coin reverse that symbolizes some aspect
of Native American culture. Why not have a Slope contest and pick some designs that are indicative of life and culture on the Arctic Slope? The rest
of the nation will get a sense of the pride of people living in the Arctic and a symbol of that lifestyle will be etched in American numismatic history.
Sounds like a “Challenge Life” contest to me. I will put together more information as I determine how the mint makes it’s selections.

Have a great week!

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