Arctic Entries

Now 60 years old, Jeff has been clean and sober for nine years. Since 1990, Jeff’s addiction has led him in and out of prison; he most recently served seven and a half years. Despite being on electronic monitoring for over 14 months, Jeff has worked his way up to becoming a kitchen manager, where he commonly hires folks coming fresh out of prison or residing in a halfway house. Jeff is committed to paying it forward and doing the next right thing.

I'm Daija from the city of Oakland. I was blind for 10 years but now my eyes are opened. And even though my eyes didn't work, I swear I've seen things that would make a lion's heart hurt. That's why I'm standing here today, to tell the story of this blind girl who moved to AK from the Bay.

Esther is an artist, educator, traveler, and lifelong Alaskan. She enjoys baking pies from scratch, drinking coffee in the bath, and hunting for the perfect hammock spot. Her favorite stories make her both cry and laugh, and she's grateful to be here and enjoy the juiciness of this event.

Sophia is Korean born and Alaskan raised, and seems to have a polar opposite means to happiness. Sophia finds happiness and enjoyment in hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing and paddle-boarding in beautiful Alaska outdoor scenery all year round. However, she's equally happy to cuddle with her 3-lb Chihuahua with books and cup of hot chocolate in her bed as well. Additionally, Sophia hates aftershocks/earthquakes, not because they scare her, but because they usually indicate more work for her as a structural engineer.

City mouse. Indoorsy. Baker, traveler, the world's biggest fan of her family. Would 100% win Survivor.

Julie was born and raised in Anchorage and is the proud mom of two young boys, Mason and Eli, who keep her very busy. Julie’s motto for raising boys is: “what little boys lack in common sense they make up for with energy!” When she’s not keeping up with her kids you can find her fishing and biking in the summer, sledding and ice skating in the winter and making beaded jewelry year round.

Elizabeth is the third member of her family to tell an Arctic Entries story. She counts herself lucky, but also knows that luck comes from not being afraid to try to new things, or to follow her instincts and marry a nice guy she met in a grocery store, as one example. She’s a communications manager and the proud mom of two kind and adventurous teenage boys.

Elijah moved to Alaska a few years ago from Michigan and decided to stay. He has served in the Peace Corps in Cameroon and is always planning another adventure. He enjoys hiking and running on Alaska’s beautiful trails

Destiny is originally from Alaska but grew up in Oregon and Idaho. She has worked with individuals with disabilities since she was 16. She is now a Registered Behavior Technician(RBT) and an Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) manager, and works with kids who have autism. She has three beautiful children and a wonderful husband. Michele is a proud Alaskan Resident who has lived here since she was three years old (that was 1969!). She has been married to her wonderful husband, Ken, for 29 years and together for 32 years. They raised three kids (now young adults) Jordan, Madison & Hunter to love Alaska, too. Michele and her husband own Distinctive Homes and System Clean. She is a survivor of the Route 91 Music Festival shooting in Las Vegas, and is grateful to her husband who continually reminds her that she is a warrior.She says Lighthouse Christian Fellowship is where you need to be, if you're looking for a church.

Growing up in Anchorage, Donteh was exposed to criminal activity and drug addiction at an early age. Soon he became addicted to the fast life, and making money was his mission. After his second prison term, he began to understand his potential and worth. He is now the author of a treatment manual entitled From Hustling to Healing which highlights overcoming the addiction to a criminal lifestyle. He has been featured on numerous news outlets for his continued involvement in positive community efforts, which include reentry housing and mentoring youth through public activities. He is an entrepreneur with a passion to encourage and inspire, seeking to continually motivate, change, and redirect the lives of men and women alike. He is now a man of faith about his Father’s Business.

Susan is a lifelong Alaskan. Volunteerism & advocacy are her passion. She has not expired, only semi-retired, and is a bit of a roamer between Anchorage & Homer.

Megan is a lifelong Alaskan, and proud Spenardian. She is the Communications Director for the ACLU of Alaska, but in her past life she was cranking out copy for peanuts in newsrooms around Anchorage, reporting on everything from homelessness to elephants. In her free time, she's either in the woods, hanging with her dog pack or looking for an excuse to go to Fire Island Bakery

One of Al's hobbies is exploring volcanoes. He has explored Mount Vesuvius near Pompeii, Mount Popocatepetl in Mexico, Mount Bromo in Indonesia, and Mount Katmai in Alaska.

Jacqui is the middle sister of 10 and an Auntie to over 20 nieces and nephews. She is a writer, graphic designer, and traditional dancer from Kotzebue. She has traveled across the world, but her favorite places are the Inuit communities in Chukotka, Canada, and Greenland. Jacqui is passionate about astrology, poetry, mental health, and old Native legends. You can find more of her work at jacquiiwithacue.com or on Instagram and Twitter.

When Holly’s twins were born (just over two years ago) she would drive out to Kincaid while simultaneously breast pumping to optimize her time skiing. During her husband’s 24-hour shifts working for the Anchorage Fire Department, she mines the chocolate chips out of the Ghirardelli brownie mix. Holly loves powder, cilantro, cats, Norwegian brown cheese, making the uncomfortable comfortable, and her husband, Rob.

Matt has been Anchored in Anchorage for 10 years, and serves as the pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Anchorage. He loves painting, hiking, and spending time with his wonderful wife, his three amazing kids, his awesome dog, and his adequate cat.

Beth is an avid traveler, hiker, and photographer who can often be found in the Chugach Mountains. Beth is a fundraising consultant and an active community volunteer, including serving on the board of Alaska Public Media and the newly formed Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance (www.akeatingdisordersalliance.org). She has a dashing husband and two very cool adult children

David was born and raised in Texas and has been in Alaska since 2011. He even skipped the graduation at his University to get on the road quicker to drive up here. In his free time, David enjoys photography, biking, kayaking and hiking. He is a firm believer that bad decisions make good stories.

Aimee is a 42 year old Cannabis activist, writer, and mother. She moved to Alaska in 2005 from WA state. Aimee writes for Anchorage Press and Alaska Leaf. She enjoys riding bikes, reading books, adventuring, and exploring life with her two sons.

Natalie was tempted to put “Natalie Chai Fraser is an enigma”, but ultimately decided that would be a bit of a cop out. She is a senior at West High School and has an irrational fear of mold.