Seven Western Alaska typhoon evacuees graduate from Anchorage schools

Seven students displaced by ex-Typhoon Halong graduated from Anchorage School District high schools Monday, completing a senior year that began with emergency evacuation from Western Alaska villages.

The students were among approximately 140 evacuees enrolled in Anchorage schools by late October 2025 after the storm devastated parts of Western Alaska. Superintendent Jarrett Bryant attended the Heritage Center ceremony. He told the school board Tuesday evening the district's response was Alaskans at their best.

Background

Alaska Public Media reported that ex-Typhoon Halong displaced more than 1,500 people from Western Alaska villages in October 2025. The storm forced hundreds of students to leave their home communities. By late October, approximately 140 students had enrolled in the Anchorage School District, according to state officials. About 100 enrolled in the Lower Kuskokwim School District in Bethel. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development coordinated statewide educational continuity for displaced students. Commissioner Deena Bishop led that effort. More than 1,100 people applied for state individual assistance following the storm.

Bryant recalled meeting the students at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in October as they arrived on emergency flights. School buses transported them directly to Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. Staff welcomed them there. The district provided translation support in Yup'ik and Cup'ik languages.

The students participated in sports and school activities throughout the year. Bryant said the district secured basketball shoes and volleyball equipment so evacuees could join teams shortly after arriving. Some students received Halloween costumes through community donations.

Bryant told the school board the students are welcome to return to Anchorage schools next year. He said the district's response demonstrated its commitment to meeting students' needs during crisis.

The graduation ceremony included remarks that told graduates they were anchored by the strength and wisdom of their forebears, their family, their culture, and the landscape that has been theirs for millennia.

Board member Dora Wilson attended the ceremony. She said it was the first graduation where she cried. She described a rose ceremony where each graduate gave roses to family members or community members who had supported them. Wilson said the video shown at the board meeting did not convey the emotion she felt in the room.

Wilson praised communications staffer Lisa Miller for the board-meeting presentation celebrating the work staff did to welcome Western Alaska students into the district.