Arctic Entries

With fist pounding on the lunchroom table for a bass beat in the 5th grade, this Wonder Woman used to be known as Kid Dynamite. Over the years, she cultivated her poetry, creative writing and emcee skills through contests, published works and open mics until she felt she reached a level of self-mastery. Nowadays, she is acknowledged as the dynamic M.C. MoHagani Magnetek.

Kokayi attended the Million Man March on October 16, 1995. Since that day, he has dedicated himself to addressing social injustice, using very interesting means to do so.

Gabriela’s native language is Spanish. Growing up, she thought that by memorizing all the words in the dictionary, she could better understand the world in which she lived, and made it all the way through M, before having to set the task aside. Many years later, she became a writer and an editor. She has published 11 books and is the editor of Sol de Medianoche, Alaska’s Hispanic newspaper. She plans to cover N to Z when she gets old.

Nettie is a lifelong Alaskan who moved back to Fairbanks after a brief period of misspent youth in Berkeley, California. She and her husband continue to toil in the cold and dark of Fairbanks, where they successfully raised two children. Their now-adult children have fled to Anchorage and to Denver, where they are contributing members of society, to their parents’ pride and joy.

Sarah is from Dillingham, newish to Anchorage. She spends most of her free time outdoors with her two dogs, or sitting somewhere with a drink in her hand obsessing over AK politics.

Nikka is a proud believer in the magic of the Christmas season— and she thinks you should be, too.

Tim got to Alaska as soon as he could, arriving a dozen years ago on the two year plan, although it’s unclear where exactly he came from. No matter, Alaska is home now. When he’s not busy experimenting in the kitchen or listening to music, he’s often making dinner for friends who come over to listen to music.

Corey is a flight paramedic with LifeMed Alaska; Ginny is an EMS battalion Chief and paramedic supervisor with the Matsu Borough. Their teenagers would often roll their eyes and proclaim the 4 p’s: overProtective-paranoid-paramedic- parents! They are just entering their fourth year as foster family.

Terre was born in Washington, but has lived in Anchorage since ‘77 and considers herself a true Alaskan. She is a wife, a mother of three, and a 25-year career flight attendant. She loves live theatre and is honored to be sharing her story.

Ben is 16 years old and a junior at West Anchorage High School; he especially loves the three month break that comes every May. He enjoys playing soccer and hanging out with friends, any chance he can get.

Teeka is a Language Arts teacher at Begich Middle School, the executive director of Alaska Theatre of Youth, a writer and artist, and one of the owners and the events coordinator of The Writer’s Block—a bookstore, café, and performance space. Set to open January 2018, the Writer’s Block is located at 3965 Spenard Road. For more information, visit: writersblockak.com, or write: teeka@writersblockak.com.

Olivia moved to Alaska from Chicago in 2013 to continue to pursue her personal interests and professional career in environmental work. She likes bad jokes, good weather, and nice people. Olivia originally hails from Pure Michigan, America’s high five.

Amanda is happy to be home in Anchorage after a decade away. Her big challenge this week is figuring out what winter gear to get—any advice?—so that she can spend enough time outside this winter to feel like a real Alaskan again. Her job, which is generally too enjoyable to be considered work, is coordinating education programs at the Alaska Humanities Forum.

Zachariah is a reporter for Alaska Public Media in Anchorage. His work has appeared nationally on NPR, Marketplace, and The Guardian, as well as the Iditapod, a podcast about the Iditarod. He grew up in New England, and has lived abroad in Turkey and the Czech Republic. He is 5’9” and has brown hair.

Originally from Anchorage, Melanie believes that you can find an adventure in every day if you know where to look. She has three life goals: to build an international career, to be someone’s crazy aunt, and to collect fabulous tales to tell from her rocking chair. She’s excited to share her storytelling debut with you tonight at Arctic Entries.

Emma is a lifelong Alaskan. She plans on becoming rich and famous soon.

Raj moved to Alaska in 2014. After completing his education in Montana, he decided he was prepared to move to a big city, thus, he chose Anchorage, the biggest city of Alaska. His hobbies includes fishing, reading nonfiction books and tasting beer. By profession, he is an accountant. By nature, he is a goofball. His strengths lie in networking and his weakness is public speaking. With Arctic Entries, he is hoping to combine the two together.

Becca is 37 weeks pregnant. If she has to run off stage for a mid-show potty break, she hopes you’ll understand.

Quinn is a lifelong Alaskan and a 15-year-old sophomore at Dimond High School. He first told his story in his high school English class for a program called Story Works.

Nicole lives in Fairbanks, where teaches English at a school for incarcerated youth. She’s the author of Steam Laundry. Her second book, You Are No Longer in Trouble is forthcoming in 2019.