Monthly Archives: April 2007

GCI brings the Iditarod to classrooms

GCI School Access Brings the Race to Alaska’s Classrooms

“Can we check the race stats?” “Who’s leading?” “Where’s my musher?” “Has she taken her 24 yet?” Students finish their math quickly in hopes that extra time at the end of a class period might provide them with a few minutes to check the race stats. When the Iditarod mushers are on the trail, students are on the Internet any chance they can. Students are also learning curriculum material that teachers have plugged into existing curriculum. Now, a new resource tool brings the race to the classroom like never before! Iditarod Insider. It isn’t just video— it is real time education!

“The most exciting part of our Iditarod unit in my 2nd grade classroom was for the kids to come to the computer lab & be able to see the heli-fly-overs from Insider on the big screen. We also used the virtual map,” commented an educator from Anchorage. “Thanks, GCI!”

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Independent investigation continues

WASILLA, ALASKA – Iditarod Trail Committee President, Richard Burmeister announced this afternoon that the ongoing independent investigation surrounding allegations that Ramy Brooks abused members of his team in Golovin on March 15, 2007 is not yet complete.

The investigation is being conducted by the Anchorage law firm of Davis Wright Tremaine. Investigators said that efforts to conduct the investigation via telephone have not been as successful as hoped. They are making plans to travel to Golovin early next week in order to conduct interviews within the community.
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Jr. Iditarod Recap

Like Father, Like Son!

The 25th running of the Jr. Iditarod belonged to Rohn Buser! Buser, who in January had finished fourth in the Kuskokwim 300, started out in 12th position and by the time the mushers reached the Big Su checkpoint, he had passed the others and was in first place, where he stayed for the rest of the race, finishing a little more than 30 minutes ahead of second place finisher, Megan Hedgecoke or Two Rivers. Buser won a $5,000 scholarship courtesy of retired executives from Wells Fargo, National Bank of Alaska and Norwest Banks. Buser, and as did the other mushers, took home an assortment of other prizes that had been donated by various local businesses. He led the Iditarod mushers out of Anchorage on March 4 and also received a trip to Nome to be recognized at the Awards’ Banquet. An interesting side note is that like the winner of the Iditarod, Rohn was also wearing the “lucky bib #13.” Rohn plans to run the Iditarod in 2008.
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Emmy Nomination for the Iditarod

WASILLA, ALASKA – 2006 IDITAROD DOCUMENTARY RECEIVES EMMY NOMINATION

On Friday, April 13, 2007, The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Northwest Chapter announced that the documentary “IDITAROD 2006, Mother Nature’s Turn to Dance” has been nominated for an Emmy Award.

“Mother Nature’s Turn to Dance” is a 95 minute long form documentary that was the Iditarod Trail Committee’s first attempt at depicting the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in its entirety. The 44th Annual Northwest Regional Emmy Awards Nomination List represents the selections from television submissions in the northwest region of the United States (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and Montana).

The Emmy Awards Ceremony will be held at the Jonas Jensen Fremont Studios and Theatre on June 2nd, 2007.

For Further Information Contact:
Chas St.George, Director Public Relations 907.352.2215

IditaRider Auction Relate to #13

The 2007 IditaRider Musher Auction Can Relate To #13

This has been the year of the number 13 for the 2007 Iditarod. Although it was the 35th running of the Race, we have become very aware of the number associated with Lance Mackey’s bib. Lance made it known when he camped out for a week in front of Iditarod headquarters to be able to pick that number for his leaving position from the start line.

His dad and brother both won when they wore the number 13, the fact that he started with 13 dogs that had won the Yukon Quest with him and he finished on the 13th of March
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Wells Fargo Teacher on the Trail

2008 WELLS FARGO TEACHER ON THE TRAIL ANNOUNCED

Jane Blaile is about to begin a teaching adventure of a life time as the 2008 Wells Fargo Teacher on the Trail (WFTOTT). Jane is a 5th grade lead teacher focusing on the areas of science and social studies at Christ Lutheran School in Phoenix, Arizona. She becomes the tenth Wells Fargo Teacher on the Trail selected by the Iditarod Trail Committee. Through out the next year, Jane will be placing standards driven curriculum on www.iditarod.com to connecting classrooms around the world in a real time adventure-learning project.

During the 2008 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Jane will be flying the trail with the Iditarod Air Force and sharing her observations and lesson ideas with students around the world via the Internet. She will also share her love for the race and its unique ability to reach out to young minds in classrooms all along the Iditarod Trail. Jane will present curriculum lessons to students while in Alaska and be involved in video conference and other technology projects through out the 2007 – 2008 school year.
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