Seven Western Alaska typhoon evacuees graduate from Anchorage schools

Seven students evacuated from Western Alaska villages after ex-Typhoon Halong graduated from Anchorage School District high schools Monday. The students completed their senior year at Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School after the October 2025 storm forced them from their home communities.

Superintendent Jarrett Bryant met the students at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in October as they arrived on emergency flights. School buses took them directly to East High. Staff welcomed them with translation support in Yup'ik and Cup'ik languages.

Board member Dora Wilson attended Monday's graduation ceremony at the Heritage Center. She said it was the first graduation where she cried. Each graduate gave roses to family members or community members who had supported them during the ceremony.

Ex-Typhoon Halong displaced more than 1,500 people from Western Alaska villages in October 2025. By late October, approximately 140 students had enrolled in Anchorage schools. 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. More than 1,100 people applied for state individual assistance following the storm.

Bryant told the school board Tuesday evening the district's response was Alaskans at their best. He said the students are welcome to return to Anchorage schools next year. He did not specify how many of the enrolled students plan to return to Western Alaska or stay in Anchorage for the 2026-27 school year.