Episodes

The Valdez City Schools are holding a Surplus Sale at Hermon Hutchens Elementary School on September 8, 2018 from 9:00 am to 12:00pm. Such items include books, desks, chairs, monitors, cassette players, laptop bags, keyboards, docking stations, cabinets, etc. Items will be sold by donation and all the proceeds go towards the Fifth Grade Field Trip to Seward! Please join us for this great cause and get a great deal on these items!

Football:  (Coach Lee Chadwick)

We welcomed Seward to our first home game in 2018.  With injuries and sickness among the team this week, we had a difficult week of practice. Several players were forced to learn new positions and accept new roles in a short period of time. As a result, we were insufficiently prepared for our game. We repeatedly missed several key assignments in our blocking schemes that made it very difficult for us to move the ball offensively.

Defensively, we competed much better than we have in our previous games, although the score didn’t reflect it. We were able to stop Seward’s running game with the exception of a few key plays. Our passing defensive effort gave up some big plays which broke the scoring open for Seward. We hope to build on our accomplishments this week with improved pass defense as we face Monroe and then Redington in the coming two weeks.

On the bright side, it was great to have good weather and see the local support for our program. We would like to thank everyone involved for their contributions big and small to support the young men of Valdez.

(Photos by Calvin Fifarek)

Cross Country Running:  (Coach Mel Koontz)

September 1, 2018 – Valdez Community Race

After a night of torrential downpour, the sun came out in time on Saturday morning to dry up the course a bit.  Saturday’s meet turned into a community meet at the last minute due to an unforeseen cancellation by Cordova’s Cross-Country team.  The team was very disappointed, but still very motivated to run.  Races began at 10:00 am with Gilson Middle School Cross Country facing off against Glennallen.  At 11:00 am the Buccaneer runners faced off against community members Ryan Belnap and Mayor Jeremy O’Neil, Jordan from Glennallen and Anika Witsoe from Cordova.

The Buccaneers were excited to run a familiar course and sunshine.  They have demonstrated grit and determination running in torrential downpours the last couple of weeks.  Flying past the finish line in first place was our very own Kalin Woods at 18:20, a season best for Woods this year.  Rafael Alfaro sprinted across the finish line in second place at 19:54, also a season’s best for Alfaro.  Looking strong in third place, Anika Witsoe of Cordova, cruised in at an impressive 22:06.  Less than two minutes behind Witsoe was Senior Dustin Woods with a season best of 23:30. Rounding out our top five finishers was Jordan from Glennallen with a finish of 24:05.

Coming in hot in sixth place and refusing to let our dear mayor pass him, was William Benes at 25:04.  Mayor O’Neil sauntered in with his strategically placed bear bells at 25:20. Katelyn Wadsworth improved her season time with a finish of 25:53 after battling reoccurring injuries.  Ryan Belnap finished strong at 28:20 and Sophmore Wyatt Mehlberg completed his first 5k race at 31:38.

The Buccaneers Cross-Country Team would like to thank all of the volunteers that helped to set up the course, provide water and snacks for runners, and kept the course safe. The season is already half way over with only three meets left before state.  Our next meet is in Palmer on Saturday, September 8^th.

Volleyball:  (Coach Adam Sharrai)

“Bethel Invitational”

The Lady Buccaneers drove for the Anchorage airport Thursday headed to play Bethel, Barrow, and Othello—a  1000 student school from mid-state Washington, at the Bethel Invitational.  After spending a night in ACS the team flew out for Bethel mid-day Friday in time for JV afternoon and evening games.

The JV played well besting the Barrow Whalers 25 -8,  25 – 5 in 2 out of 3.  They continued their success against the Bethel Warriors 25-16 and 25-18.   The Varsity did not play Friday.

Saturday morning, the Varsity had a slow start after sitting for two days scraping off  the bus rust and plane pain losing their first set to Bethel 21-25.  The Lady Buccs went on to finish up the Bethel Warriors 25-17, 26-24, and 25-15 in 3 out of 5.  Up next was Barrow which the  Varsity won in 3 straight 25-19, 25-20, and 27-25.  The JV played Barrow’s JV next winning in 2:  26-24 , 25-15.   Next, Valdez Varsity struggled to find their rhythm against the Othello Huskies in three close games 20-25, 27-29,  and 25 – 27 all to Othello.

The Valdez Lady Buccs would get their chance for a re-match with Othello in the Championship game later that evening.  Valdez split with Othello in the first four games with the exact same score:  Valdez  25 – 23, Othello 25-23, Valdez 25-23, Othello 25-23, setting up a fifth , and very late , tie-breaker to 15 which after a continued struggle, the Valdez Lady Buccs came out on top 17 -15 winning the Bethel Invitational.

The Lady Buccs traveled home from Bethel Sunday and are off to the West Valley Invitational next Thursday morning.    Go Buccs!

Aksel Hutchinson

CLICK HERE for audio interview

VALDEZ, Alaska – Just one day after catching a 17.28 pound silver salmon in Valdez, Aksel Hutchinson was thinking about what he would do with $10,000. Hutchinson knew the 1^st place prize was $10,000 and he had big plans if he stayed in the lead. He said he would buy a fishing reel, tickets to Texas and California as well as a hunting scope. This past Sunday, Hutchinson’s dream of winning came true when the derby ended and his fish remained #1 on the leaderboard.

In an interview this Monday, Aksel had revised his plans for the money to include buying a motorhome, a laser sight dart gun, ATV and possibly a kayak. Whether his money holds out to do all those things is yet to be determined, but it is pretty much a guarantee that Hutchinson is going to keep on fishing. When he talks about fishing he lights up and becomes very animated. “It’s just getting away from all the excitement and loudness and everything. That’s what fishing is all about” Hutchinson said.

Daniel Schneider of Anchorage took 2^nd place in the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby with the 16.64 pound silver salmon he caught August 4^th aboard the Sea Duck. Schneider’s 2^nd place finish netted him $3,000. Leslie West of Provo, Utah reeled in a 16.48 pound silver salmon on August 11^th to win the Women’s Silver Salmon Derby and held onto 3^rd place. West’s 3^rd place finish earned her a $1,500 cash prize. The final Big Prize Friday was won by Brett Adair of Rosehill, Kansas who reeled in a 14.32 pound silver salmon on August 31^st from shore.

Patricia Johnson

Patricia Johnson had never been halibut fishing before coming to Valdez but even after winning the $10,000 1^st place prize in the Valdez Halibut Derby she knew she was coming back. “I’m going to be an angler now”, said Johnson. “This was totally exciting. I will be back here to fish”.

Patricia Johnson’s winning Halibut was caught aboard the Harvester and the Captain of that boat, Buddy Scott of Fairbanks, won the $500 Captains prize and also the ticket seller’s prize of $500. In the Silver Salmon Derby, it was Dave Towne that won the Captains Prize. The seller of the winning Silver Salmon Derby ticket was Greg Kern of Fish Central. He won a $500 ticket sellers prize.

In the Valdez Fish Derbies, everyone who purchases a daily ticket is entered to win $5,000 cash at the end of the season. Those purchasing season tickets have five entries in the $5,000 drawing. At the end of the season, all the entries are put into a barrel and a winning ticket is chosen. This year Kylie Bouchet of Wasilla was the winner. Next year’s dates, as well as pictures and information about the 2017 winners, can be found atwww.valdezfishderbies.com.

Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders

1^st        Patricia Johnson          Clovis, CA                  285.8 lbs.         July 26 Harvester

2^nd        Doug Cranor               Valdez, AK                 239.0 lbs.         June 23            Redhead

3^rd        Russell Young             Fairbanks, AK              226.0 lbs.        June 23            Dan Orion

Silver Derby – Overall Leaders

1^st        Aksel Hutchinson       Valdez, AK                 17.28 lbs.        Aug 11            Amanda Rose

2^nd        Daniel Schneider         Anchorage, AK           16.64 lbs.         Aug 4              Sea Duck

3^rd        Leslie West                 Provo, UT                  16.48 lbs.         Aug 11            Sea Duck

For more information on the Valdez Derbies, visit: www.valdezfishderbies.com

Anne Janelle sings One Hit

THIS Saturday, September 1^st at 8pm – Valdez Civic Center

James Hill, Anne Janelle & Peppino D’Agostino are in Alaska teaching at the Acoustic Alaska Guitar Camp in Wasilla and will be coming to Valdez following.

Join Valdez Arts Council for an unbelievable night of music. D’Agostino is a world-class fingerstyle guitarist, James Hill is an unbelievable ukulele player and songwriter and Anne Janelle is a cellist turned songwriter. Hill and Janelle play individually and also play in a band.

James Hill sings She’s Still Got It

Tickets available at A Rogue’s Garden or at the door the night of the show.

$20 for adults, $10 for students, military and seniors.

CLICK HERE for flyer

Check out their music videos on YouTube by clicking the links below:

Anne Janelle

James Hill

Peppino D’Agostino

Football @ Ketchikan (Coach Chadwick)

The football team had a great opportunity to travel to Ketchikan this past week to play.  It was a long and arduous trip, but a great adventure for the players. While we were practicing one day, a deer ventured to the fence beside the field.  One player remarked that it was the first time in their life that they had ever seen a deer. Sometimes it is easy to forget the limited exposure that many students have living in Valdez. Trips like these can be strenuous, but are great opportunities for students to gain a broader understanding of the challenges and uniqueness of Alaska.

From a football perspective, it was a difficult week. A drenching rain made ball control difficult for us, and we fumbled early and often. Ketchikan was a much more physical team with greater size, age, and experience.  Towards the end of the game, we often had 6 players on the field that are in their first year and only second game of football. Due to this, we had difficulty moving the ball consistently against them, as well as stopping their offense. The final score was 77 to 0.   This week we look forward to regrouping and working hard to prepare for our first home game against Seward.

The Bucs host their first home game of the season on Saturday, September 1 against the Seward Seahawks. Game time will be 12:00 pm at the High School Football Field.

Cross Country Running @ Interior Invite – Birch Hill (Coach Mel Koontz)

Birch Hill Interior Invitational

Lathrop High School in Fairbanks hosted interior schools and Valdez at Birch Hill Recreational Center.  The rain stopped long enough to give runners some reprieve from being in the rain, but not long enough to dry up the course.  Runners endured a muddy and slippery 5 km course.  Junior Kalin Woods is off to a strong start this season, decreasing his time from last year by 45 seconds.  With his teammates cheering him on, Woods shifted into high gear to narrowly squeezing by a runner from elite West Valley.  He finished 13^th out of 95 boys on Saturday with a time of 19:43.  Junior Rafael Alfaro is not far behind, carrying a shoe found on the course, finishing 21^st at 20:32.  Freshman William Benes continues to strengthen his running techniques.  He finished 86^th, sprinting to the finish at 26:19.  Junior Katelyn Wadsworth improved last week’s time by 0.09.  Wadsworth finished 40^th out of 86 girls with a time of 26:44.

Click for results

Friday Night

Saturday

 Coach Koontz sees great potential in this year’s team.  They work hard and daily endure the contents of her “book of torture.” The team is excited to welcome Senior Dustin Woods, Sophomores Wyatt Mehlberg, and Landora Hammons.  Look for then at our home meet on Saturday.

Our next meet is at home on Saturday, September 1^st.  Come out and support your Buccaneers Cross-Country team!  Races begin at 10:00am.  Volunteers are needed, please contact Coach Koontz at mkoontz@valdezcityschools.org.  We hope to see you there!

KVAK Radio hosted eight students for a broadcasting camp in June sponsored by Alyeska Pipeline. The students read radio spots, conducted interviews and learned how to edit audio. The radio spots feature information about the SERVS (Ship Escort Response Vessel System) one of the largest oil spill prevention and response organizations in the world. Several of the spots also welcome Edison Chouest to Valdez and bid a fond farewell to Crowley Marine. You can listen to the radio spots on 93.3FM and 1230AM. You can listen to the radio spots on 93.3FM and 1230M.

CLICK HERE to see a video of our Summer Kids Club Broadcasting Camp.

If your business or organization has something to say, consider sponsoring a Kids Club Recording Session. Give KVAK a call at 835-5825 for more information.