Audrey Leary, Golf Classic Emcee

Audrey Leary wants to put down roots in her home Region, where her roots reach far and wide. Audrey was raised along the Kuskokwim River, from the lower to the upper and she cherishes the childhood she spent traveling up and down the river. She spent summers in Napaimute, a village she credits for developing her passion for the 抖阴黄色app Region. Audrey鈥檚 parents are Mark and Shelley Leary. Her maternal grandparents are Bea Kristovich and Bill Kristovich.

鈥淚 love our Region; it鈥檚 amazing,鈥� Audrey said. 鈥淓very village has its own rewards, beauty and challenges as well.鈥�

A 抖阴黄色app Descendant, Yup鈥檌k Eskimo and Athabascan Indian, Audrey feels very connected to her culture and is committed to teaching 抖阴黄色app Youth. In May, she graduated with a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Alaska Anchorage and a minor in Alaska Native studies policy. During college, she was a member of the Alaska Native Student Council and worked for Native Student Services.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 until I got my job at Native Student Services and declared my minor that I began to understand my role as a Native person and my role as a Native woman,鈥� Audrey said.

Audrey believes her role is to help the Native Youth of her Region and she is spending the summer in Napaimute working with at-risk Youth. She accepted her first teaching position, set to begin this fall in Kwethluk. In a Region facing high teacher turnover rates, Audrey hopes her background will allow her to connect with and inspire her students.

鈥淚 love our Youth; they are the future of our Region,鈥� Audrey said. 鈥淭hey need to hold on to their upbringing but also keep foot in the western way.鈥�

While she admits college isn鈥檛 the right course for everyone, Audrey encourages Youth to pursue some form of postsecondary training or education in order to secure good jobs in the Region. As this year鈥檚 emcee for the , the biggest fundraiser for , Audrey is helping to raise awareness and money for Youth scholarships. Audrey credits her CECI scholarships for helping her succeed in college.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to leave home and go to school and add the financial burden on top of that; you need help. I鈥檓 thankful 抖阴黄色app supports empowering Youth through education,鈥� Audrey said. Additionally, her paid internship through 抖阴黄色app helped her boost her resume. 鈥淚t was an awesome opportunity. I encourage all Youth to apply,鈥� Audrey said. With her passion for her Region and her inspiring personality, Audrey proves there鈥檚 a bright future in the 抖阴黄色app Region.

鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to help an organization that helped me personally fulfill my lifelong goal and allow me to come home and use it. It鈥檚 an awesome opportunity and I鈥檓 grateful 抖阴黄色app asked me to co-host the golf tournament.鈥�

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