Jayne Hanna of Mekoryuk Named National ACT Student Readiness Exemplar

Jayne Hanna of Mekoryuk Named National ACT Student Readiness Exemplar
Posted on 05/05/2017
This is the image for the news article titled Jayne Hanna of Mekoryuk Named National ACT Student Readiness Exemplar

Jayne Hanna, a high school senior at Nuniwarmiut School in Mekoryuk, Alaska, was named the National ACT Student Readiness Exemplar for the 2016-2017 ACT College and Career Readiness Campaign. 

This award highlights the exceptional achievements of students, schools and employers championing college and career readiness in their communities. Hanna received a $4,000 scholarship for being named the National Student Readiness Exemplar and will be recognized at ACT’s annual corporate meeting in Iowa City, Iowa on October 19, 2017. ​

View the entire ACT biography outlining Hanna’s accomplishments below:

Jayne Hanna is a master problem-solver and go-getter, particularly when it comes to keeping connected with her Robotics team, the Sunchasers. Jayne lives in the remote Alaska Native village of Mekoryuk on Nunivak Island—a long 150 miles away from her teammate in Bethel—which makes exchanging ideas, parts and fundraising goods extremely challenging. Jayne worked with community members and school sports teams to hand-deliver goods by bush plane from one community to the other, and used teleconferencing resources to update code and collaborate with her teammate. Despite having limited access to academic opportunities (Jayne is one of 11 high school students in her village) she has actively participated in team sports, speech and poetry competitions, and various student government roles and obtained college credits from dual enrollment since her sophomore year in high school. Jayne hopes to become an educator in rural Alaska to continue her love of learning and act as a role model for other Alaska Natives.

Jayne Hanna“Striving for academic success with diligent work ethic is only one variable contributing to college and career readiness,” Hanna stated. “It’s vital to take advantage of every available opportunity– especially the ones that stretch your comfort zone! Taking on leadership roles and trying new things will strengthen your relational skills and help shape your future. Additionally, weaving together cultural heritage and personal values with modern-day education establishes confidence that prepares you well for success after high school.”Hannah was selected by a national committee of education and workforce leaders from across the U.S. and was selected based on her strong academic success in addition to her heavy involvement in extracurricular programs and student leadership.

Walt Betz, Principal of Nuniwarmiut School, stated, “Jayne Hanna's selection by ACT as the National College and Career Exemplar brings great joy to the Nuniwarmiut School family.  She embodies the school mission statement which challenges students to become the very best academically while retaining Cupig Culture and Language.  Her achievement reaffirms to us all that ingenuity and perseverance trump circumstance. Her ‘can do’ attitude teaches us that we can too!”

Dan Walker, Superintendent of the Lower Kuskokwim School District, stated, “LKSD is incredibly proud of Jayne's accomplishment and the recognition by ACT. Jayne has been very involved in her school and community for many years.  She strives to be the very best at whatever endeavors she pursues and we have no doubt she will be successful as she graduates high school and takes on the challenges post secondary education.”

Hanna plans to attend Biola University in California, majoring in Math with a concentration in Secondary Education, with the ultimate goal of returning to rural Alaska as a teacher.

Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.