Anchorage, Alaska
Victoria Shein recently attended Middle School Academy, her first ANSEP component, and enjoyed her time so much that she is already encouraging her younger siblings to join the ANSEP family when they can. The eldest of five children, Victoria said one of her favorite parts about ANSEP was the moment at the end of the day when she could call home and tell her family about all that she’d done.
“I loved all the new experiences I had at Middle School Academy,” Victoria said. “My brothers and sisters were always excited to hear all about new activities each day and the fun things I did with my new friends. They like to follow what I’m doing, so by telling them about it maybe they will join ANSEP, which will help them get into college, too.”
After moving to Anchorage from Little Diomede by way of Nome, Victoria enjoyed the new things ANSEP exposed her to but also the familiar activities incorporated throughout the day, such as the Alaska Native dances she knows so well from back home. Though she was the only student at the January Middle School Academy from Turnagain Elementary, Victoria said she quickly began making new friends and adjusting to campus life.
“Living in the dorms was scary at first, but then you get used to it because everyone starts talking to each other and getting to know one another,” Victoria said. “One of my favorite parts about ANSEP is that you get to meet new friends and have new opportunities and experiences all at the same time.”
While this was just Victoria’s first experience at ANSEP, she already has plans to apply for STEM Career Explorations, the next component in ANSEP’s longitudinal model that carries students from middle school through the university and even into post-graduate programs, if they desire.
