- Kendal Jasienski

In Alaska For the First Time

       What would make someone want to drive around a bunch of high school students? That’s what I talked to Dana McKeever, a driver for the 2008 Alaska Great Lakes Project, about. Even as young and petite as she is, Dana seems to have a large impact on the kids. Originally from Berkley, Michigan, and now living in Colorado, this is her first time on the trip.
         Dana first found out about the trip through her fiancé, Rich. They first met in college at Michigan State University. She commented that ever since they met, Rich has been talking about his personal experiences in Alaska.
         The main reason Dana wanted to come was that she considered it a once in a lifetime experience. She also wanted to see a very beautiful part of our country. Another reason Dana came is that she wanted to meet some awesome kids and share the experience with a great group. So far Dana loves it in Alaska. It is half of what she expected, and half is the exact opposite of her expectations. Something she didn’t expect was the constant sunlight. She told me that even though she knew about it, she is still trying to comprehend it.
         One of Dana’s favorite parts of the trip so far was driving to Fairbanks. She said it was then that her van first got to know each other and really bond. The fact that there was incredibly beautiful scenery was a big part of it, too,
         If Dana could describe Alaska in one word, it would be “huge.” She may not be the loudest or the tallest in the bunch, but with her kind words and sweet personality, she makes herself stand ten feet tall.