Evacuees from villages impacted by Typhoon Halong formed Junior and Senior Native Youth Olympics teams, supported by Anchorage educators. The initiative provided a sense of familiarity and cultural connection for the displaced athletes, fostering community and resilience.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - As the past few months have been defined by the unexpected and uncertain, evacuees from villages ravaged by former Typhoon Halong got a chance to be a part of something friendly and familiar this week.
Teachers from Anchorage and the villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, with help from the Anchorage School District, organized both Junior and Senior Native Youth Olympics teams for the displaced athletes.“Continuing my culture is kind of important to me,” Kwigillingok evacuee and returning competitor Charly Alexie said. “I’m being supported by so many people that I don’t really know.” “The students expressed how they wanted to be able to represent their villages,” Kwigillingok School Principal Lori Trussell said. “With the support of Anchorage schools, we’ve been able to put this together.” Coaches and organizers spoke to the power of community - already a massive part of NYO - as a driving motivation for the team. “It’s so exciting to see not only them having a bond with each other, but realizing that there’s kids here that are like them, and that everyone’s here to help each other,” coach Kristi Therriault said. “It’s awesome to see when they’re going to do an event, someone comes out and helps them.” “Especially when you’ve been evacuated and displaced, this is a connection,” Trussell added. “It gives them that connection to be able to have a strong ending to the school year.” In addition to support from the other competitors, evacuees’ families formed a fan section for the team throughout the event.“We’ve had all sorts of families come, and they’re sitting there cheering on their team,” Therriault added. “And the little kids are like, ‘Oh, we can do that someday,’”UAA Volleyball names former star player Morgan Hooe as head coach
Alaska Native Youth Olympics Typhoon Halong Displaced Athletes Cultural Preservation Community Support
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