Seasons of Change
Someone humorously said, “Alaska has two seasons, winter and the Fourth of July.” In my 35
years living in Alaska, I have experienced some of the harshness of winter and the wonders of
summer. Summer in the land of the “midnight sun” was always anticipated but never long
enough. Valdez Alaska is no place for the weak. It is so beautiful surrounded by mountain peaks
and the waters of Prince William Sound. The “snow tsunami” comes without invitation and
recently dumped 65 inches of snow on Thomson Pass, just outside the Valdez city limits, in a
24-hour period. The size and volume of snowflakes piled up nearly three inches an hour on
average. It is almost unfathomable. We have seasons in our lives that demand sure footed and
thoughtful change. The New England fall is something to see and well worth a vacation visit
according to some friends of mine. The autumn colors are brilliant and unforgettable. The
warmth of summer is left behind as the chill and colors of autumn demand our attention. We
have seasonal changes in our lives that demand thoughtful preparation and wisdom. When we
see the colors on the trees changing or the termination dust on the peaks around us, we know
change is coming. The recent first graduation at the Hohidiai School tells us we are in a new
season. The change for the young adults who graduated requires making important decisions
about their future. There are some going to university and others finding their first jobs.
Tison has decided to wait on any university and remain at the Hohidiai base where he is the
ambulance driver. He told me how much he enjoys his work because he is helping others. Tison
was badly burned when he was eight years old in a tragic kerosene spill. When he was 10 years
old, he came to the U.S. where he had 25 surgeries. He showed strength and courage for a ten-
year-old by coming to the U.S. without family members and facing so many medical procedures.
He wants to help others as he was helped. I am so proud of him.
The door to university studies has opened for some of the other graduates. There are years of
hard work, study, and evaluations ahead for them. It is a seasonal delay in their progress. These
students have the academic strength and personal determination to get their degrees. I have
spoken to all of them, and they all have the same desire. They want to get an education so they
can help others. I am so proud of their choices.
The Hohidiai School celebrated their 12 th anniversary with a big party and lots of cake for
everyone. It is a wonderful accomplishment to see so many committed to the vision of the
school. Hendra Pontomudis is the founder and visionary for this school. He persevered through
years of rented classrooms and not enough qualified teachers. He has done a remarkable job of
guiding the school to this point.
IFC is standing with the Hohidiai School by providing the infrastructure in the way of building the
structures in the master plan. The master plan developed by Dan Holmgren and Martin Embrey
consists of 15 buildings connected together on the beautiful six acre plot near the city of Tobelo.
The plan includes administration, cafeteria, library, caretakers, housing and even a teacher’s
dormitory. Currently we have completed nearly six structures; each building is 2,500 sq. ft. That
means IFC has built 15,000 sq. ft. of classroom space. The structures are built to last and make
for an impressive first impression. It took so many working together to get these structures built.
I know the sacrificial giving of several of our partners. It means a lot, and the ultimate outcome
is our bottom line. Lives will be changed for generations.
The Hohidiai School has about 200 students this year. There is enough classroom space to
provide for every student on the Tobelo campus. It is tight, and more space is needed, but it is
functional. The construction of the next building will be a needed relief to every classroom.
When we build the next building, we will be able to use the library as a library instead of a
classroom. Hundreds and eventually thousands will be educated at Hohidiai School. The
potential to change lives is great.
I know we have lots of work ahead of us, but it is worth it. I have wondered at times if we could
be educating a future governor or even president. I do know that the solid moral education given
to the students will shape their lives for the good.
Hohidiai School is in a new season after graduating their first class. Thank you for standing with
IFC and the Hohidiai School. I want to live long enough to see the school completed. It is a seed
that was planted years ago and now is bearing fruit.
— Carl Cady