Christian grads gather to praise
For Travis Tutt and his wife, Jerilynn, graduation was only half of their new beginnings. The couple is enjoying a whole new experience with the latest addition to the Tutt family, a newborn girl named Arrius.
Travis believes his relationship to God was enhanced with the help of Alaska Christian College. It was valuable time spent reinforcing the foundation for years to come.
Tutt came to the Kenai Peninsula from the Navajo Reservation in Arizona specifically to attend the college with Jerilynn. Following graduation ceremonies May 1, the Tutt family returned to Arizona, where Travis plans to play a leadership role on the Reservation, something he feels is lacking there.
"I want to give direction as a leader to other youth as a youth minister," Tutt said. "I'll take a year off to take care of my family. Later I want to go to Indian Bible College near Flagstaff."
While attending ACC, a school affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church of America, Tutt said the most important lesson he learned was in line with the school's mission of promoting lifelong discipleship. He said he didn't know God the way he does before attending the Christiancollege. Meeting other Natives from a different part of the world has been valuable. The college fervently targets Native students from the Alaska Bush.
"The important thing I learned was to have the integrity to know I can be a better person and walk in devotion with God and other people," he said. "That's all we need to get through situations in life — most of all relying on God."
The ACC commencement celebrated the graduates accomplishments combined with worship, many incantative songs of praise and prayers.
ACC 2005 Graduates
Oscar Active
Maxine Agayar
Cindy Ahwinona
Thomas Alakayak
Reggie Brown
Rae Fancher
Melissa Harrison
Joleen Huffmon
Louisa Jones
Kevin Kidde
Cameron Mixsooke
Michael Pitka
Wabe Sandman
Larissa Shimanek
Aaron Shugak
Clara Stein
Travis Tutt
Antonianette Thiefault
Adrianne Woody
Biblical and General Studies
Linsdey Kinegak
Encore Continuing Program
Abraham Anasogak Jr.
Krystal Camille
Beatrice Katongan
Cait Koralewsky
Jordan Snyder
Leeta Toshavik
Sylvia Tuckfield
Jerilynn Tutt