- Emily Murch

What AGLP has done for me?

       Jill Napierala first heard about the Alaska Great Lakes Project about two and a half years ago, when she and her soon to be husband Mike Williams, another driver on the trip, started dating. “Mike went the first year we were dating without me, but then the next year I went along.” She wanted to come along because hearing stories from Mike it sounded like a fun experience. She loves the outdoors, and always wanted to come to Alaska. Jill feels that being part of this trip has made her more aware of the things around her.
        Jill has been an elementary school teacher for four years. “Being on this trip has made me look at the potential of my students more, and see that they can do anything they put their mind to.“ Jill and Mike are both coaches for the JV softball team Oscoda High School. She said that the trip has made her more aware that first impressions are not always correct. As a softball team they have the whole team over for team dinners every week and go bowling every weekend. “We do a lot of team building activities with the girls.” At the school she teaches at she is involved in after school activities like student council. “I feel like I have become more aware of the environment and really try to folow the ‘Leave No Trace’ motto.”
        Everyone has their favorite part of the trip and their least favorite part. “The best part of the trip is climbing the mountains. It really tough getting to the top but once we get to the there it ‘s all worth it. My favorite place that we go on the trip is Seward because of the water and the small town feel that it has. My least faviorte part the trip is seeing some of the kids not taking all the opportunities they can, like on the whale watching trip.”
        When traveling in a large group there can be some really great things but also some that are not so great. “ I really like getting to know everyone and seeing them all getting up to the top of the mountains. I really like the van groups that we travel in we really get to know the kids in my van. The worst part for me is the ‘hurry up and wait ‘ feeling that we always have.”
       “This year Mike and I are staying an extra week. We’re not really sure what were going to do. We’re going halibut fishing, but the rest of the time we just plan on relaxing. We are planning on coming back to Alaska next summer but were still not sure if were going to come with AGLP or just alone. Being here in Alaska has been a good experience to share for Mike and I.”
       Being a part of the Alaska Great Lakes Project is such a great experience for Jill and everyone else. She has gotten a lot from it. It is such a great experience for everyone who comes and it has been great for her as well.