Alaska EXCEL

06/02/2026

Alaska EXCEL Hall of Fame: David Hoeldt

Success is built one opportunity, one challenge, and one achievement at a time. David Hoeldt’s Alaska EXCEL journey is a powerful example of what dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to growth can accomplish.

From attending 18 Alaska EXCEL sessions throughout his high school years to developing valuable workforce and life skills, David embraced every opportunity to learn and grow. His experiences through programs such as Math/Science Expeditions, Academic & Trades Decathlons, the George River Internship, and the EXCEL/MAPTS Capstone helped prepare him for a successful career path in the skilled trades.

After gaining industry experience with Knik Construction, David returned to Alaska EXCEL as a Facilitator, bringing his firsthand knowledge and passion for student success back to the program that helped shape his future. Today, he serves as a role model for students across Alaska, demonstrating the lasting impact of hard work, continuous learning, and giving back to your community.

Thank you, David, for inspiring the next generation and for being an outstanding member of the Alaska EXCEL Hall of Fame.

05/30/2026

Welcome to Summer XL 2026!!

Today, we are excited to welcome a new group of students as they begin their Summer XL journey. Through June 20, participants will engage in hands-on safety, emergency response, and leadership training designed to build confidence, develop critical skills, and prepare them for future educational and career opportunities.

Working alongside experienced instructors, students will earn valuable certifications and participate in real-world training experiences, including Wilderness First Aid, CPR and AED certification, aviation safety and survival, cold water survival, fall protection, bear awareness and defense, leadership development, and public speaking.

We are proud to support these students as they take on new challenges, build lasting friendships, and invest in their futures. We look forward to following their journey over the coming weeks and celebrating their accomplishments along the way.

05/27/2026

The George River Internship is a paid, hands-on summer field experience designed for motivated high school students interested in fisheries, environmental science, and Alaska’s natural resources.

From July 17–27, interns will work alongside biologists and program mentors conducting real fisheries and habitat research on the George River, a tributary of the Kuskokwim River near Crooked Creek, Alaska. Students will gain meaningful experience in field science while building academic and professional skills that support future pathways in natural resource careers.

Participants will engage in activities such as salmon monitoring, habitat assessment, water quality measurements, and fisheries data collection in a remote field setting.

✔ Paid Internship
✔ $700 Stipend Upon Successful Completion
✔ Travel, Room & Board Included
✔ Earn High School Credit (Science or Math)
✔ Real-World Field Research Experience

Learn more & apply: Please consult your counselor, teacher, or principal. You may also reach out via email at https://alaskaexcel.org/apply-now or https://www.kuspuk.org/activities/george-river-internship

Explore. Learn. Lead.

05/26/2026

Significant opportunities are unfolding for our students this summer.

We are proud to recognize these students who are currently participating in the MAPTS 140-Hour Surface Mine Training Program through the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Over the next two weeks, they are gaining valuable hands-on experience, developing workplace skills, earning industry certifications, and preparing for future careers within Alaska’s workforce.

Students participating include:

📍 Chevak
• Myson Imgalrea
• Marvin Pingayak

📍 Crooked Creek
• Aidan John

📍 Aniak
• Dylan Nicholson
• Karson Peterson

In addition to completing their training, students also took an important step toward independence by opening their own bank accounts and learning more about financial responsibility throughout the process.

These students will complete the program on June 8, and we are extremely proud of the dedication, growth, and commitment they have already demonstrated.

We commend each of you as you continue building confidence, opportunity, and a strong future for yourselves and your communities.

05/21/2026

Meet Tina Simpson, our dedicated Office Manager who has been with Alaska EXCEL for seven years. In addition to supporting the daily operations behind the scenes, Tina also instructs a culinary strand, giving students hands-on opportunities to build skills, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen.

Tina plays a key role in helping keep day-to-day operations running smoothly—ordering supplies and services for our facility, and supporting staff with student needs so that programs can run effectively and students can stay focused on learning and growth.

What inspired Tina to join Alaska EXCEL was a meaningful invitation to help young people build pathways toward a successful future. Having been supported by mentors throughout her own life, she saw this role as an opportunity to give back in a powerful way.

One of her proudest moments is seeing students experience success firsthand, especially moments like “seeing the pride and joy on a student’s face when he had passed a very challenging written exam.” For Tina, those moments reflect growth, persistence, and confidence-building in real time.

When asked what she loves most about working with students, her answer is simple and heartfelt: “Watching students take off when they learn to care about and believe in themselves.”

Tina has also witnessed significant growth in students throughout their time with Alaska EXCEL. She has seen them develop resilience and strengthen their ability to use their voices to clearly and confidently share their perspectives. Her advice to students is both grounding and empowering: “Believe in your potential and reach for it!”

And one life skill she believes every young person should learn: “The ability to give grace to yourself.”

We’re grateful for Tina’s steady leadership, behind-the-scenes dedication, and the care she brings both to students and staff. Through her work in operations and her instruction in the culinary strand, she continues to create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that support student growth across Alaska EXCEL.

05/11/2026

A day late because we’ve been busy editing thousands of photos and reliving all the amazing memories from this year’s Academic Decathlon 💙

Now that everyone made it home safely on Friday, we just want to take a moment to reflect on what an unforgettable week this was.

As this year’s Academic Decathlon comes to a close, our hearts are full of gratitude for every student, coach, volunteer, presenter, chaperone, and community member who helped make this event so meaningful.

Over the past few days, students challenged themselves academically, stepped outside of their comfort zones, built new friendships, discovered new opportunities, and created memories that will stay with them long after the event ended. From competitions and workshops to performances, teamwork, and late-night conversations, every moment reflected the strength, leadership, and potential within our students.

Events like these are about so much more than competition — they are about connection, growth, culture, encouragement, and creating spaces where young people feel supported and inspired to dream bigger for their futures.

Thank you to everyone who poured their time, energy, knowledge, and kindness into this event. Your support continues to make a lasting impact on the next generation of leaders across our communities.

Thank you all for being part of an unforgettable week. Until next year! ✨

05/11/2026