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The Denali Borough School District and Denali National Park work hand-in-hand to make exciting things happen here for young people.

The National Park Service recognized that long-standing partnership this month by awarding the school district its regional statewide Partnership Award last week.

It was significant that the award covered not just one successful program but many programs. These included:

• The Alaska Ice and Snow Monitoring Network (ALISON) Project: Fourth- and fifth-graders from Tri-Valley School collect scientific data from Horseshoe Lake twice/monthly for a national global warming research project with the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

• The Cantwell Moose Hide Boat Project: Students work with elders and the park to create a traditional moose-hide skin boat, which will eventually be displayed at the Murie Science and Learning Center.

• Building Trades: For 10 years, students have built structures for use in Denali, such as a shower house, cabins and a greenhouse, learning real-life carpentry skills in the process. The park provides materials and a carpenter.

• Student Safety Ranger: As a summer job, Tri-Valley student Vaughn McCombs trained with park experts, then shared his knowledge with visitors on their way into the park.

• Murie Science and Learning Center technology support: The school district and the MSLC share a technology expert.

Each of these programs is a story in itself, but it’s nice to see the folks honored who have worked so hard to make these programs happen.

Spirit of Youth Award

Anderson students will also accept an award for their innovative land-giveaway program, which prompted the city of Anderson to donate a subdivision and building lots. They are also being honored for helping the Denali Borough with a local government survey.

The small government class, led by teacher Daryl Frisbie, will head to Anchorage in March to accept this statewide honor for their efforts.

Glass mosaic

The community glass mosaic project in Anderson is beginning to take shape. Students have begun to apply small pieces of cut glass to the actual designs — a scenic view of Mount McKinley and the Alaska quarter.

Local artists, students and community members are putting together the project thanks to a community engagement grant from the Alaska Association of School Boards.

Anyone who wants to help with the project can come to the shop at Anderson School on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Sandra Trumbower at Anderson School.

15 minutes of fame is fleeting

The Democratic Caucus at McKinley Village caught the attention of CNN last week when organizer Jerri Roberts sent a group photo of the arctic-clad group. About 30 people made their way to the event — the first ever here — despite 30-below temperatures. They wore parkas, bunny boots and other arctic gear.

CNN took one look at that photo, called Jerri for a lengthy interview and prepared to put the photo on CNN. Alas, when Jerri e-mailed the group to share the news, someone in the group balked. So Jerri asked that the photo not be used.

My observation, after attending that caucus — my first ever — is that the lack of anonymity came as a surprise to some people. It was a great learning experience. We’ll look forward to the next one.

My favorite caucus report of the bunch, however, appeared today in the Cantwell Advocate school newspaper. With photos of the smiling Democratic candidates on the front page, the headline states: “Cantwell Student Council Spurned Again: All major party candidates unresponsive to Cantwell School caucus and Candidate night invitation.”

Sous chef Skrivanek

The next time you dine at Lavelle’s Bistro in downtown Fairbanks, check to see if the chef looks familiar.

It might be longtime Healy resident Tyler Skrivanek, who recently earned the title of “sous chef” (assistant chef). Skrivanek has worked as a fine-dining cook for the past five years. He cooks in the exhibition kitchen, on display for patrons.

“Don’t be shy,” said his mom, Rebecca Skrivanek. “Go on up and tell him hello. He says he sees people from Healy all the time.”

That doesn’t mean he can stop what he is doing to visit, but according to his mom, if he knows diners are from his hometown, he just might treat them extra special.

Winterfest is coming

Keep your eyes peeled for the Winterfest schedule for Feb. 22-24. The annual celebration of winter will include storytelling, ice sculpting, a craft bazaar, chili feed, games and presentations at Denali National Park and in Healy.

There also will be special, free showings of the popular film, “Into The Wild” on Saturday at Tri-Valley School.

In addition, the Tri-Valley Community Library will also host a documentary film entitled “The Call of the Wild,” which tells the same story through the words of people who actually lived it. Many local folks are included in this film.

This documentary film by Terra Incognita Films has been shown in Fairbanks, but will be premiering in this area. Watch for the posted schedule.