Submitted by Penny Johnson
Five candidates are vying for Miss Iceworm scholarships this year.
The Miss Iceworm program, which aims to recognize Cordova’s high-achieving young ladies, has chosen winners every year since the Iceworm Festival began in 1961. The goal is to provide girls with educational, career and personal development opportunities.
This year, one of them will be crowned on Jan. 31 during the Iceworm Revue, which starts at 7 p.m. at the Cordova Center North Star Theater.
Meet this year’s candidates below.
Samaya Faber, 17, Senior
Samaya Faber, born and raised in Cordova, praises the uniqueness of Cordova and loves the bonds that can be made from simply living here. Her friendships, many of which began as early as pre-school, she will take with her into her adulthood. She also loves the opportunities that come from being surrounded by nature, which she believes she would not have experiences growing up in other places.
Faber is passionate about learning, staying curious and advocating for what she believes in.
“After I leave school, it is my goal to stay as involved as I can in whatever community I end up in and to continue learning every day,” she said.
Faber’s favorite subjects in school are history and science, and in the future she hopes to make a difference in the scientific world and help to conserve the planet as it feels the effects of global warming.
Final thought: “I have learned that it’s OK to make mistakes because we are human and that’s what we do,” she said. “Changing and growing is a part of life and you have to learn to look forward, and not dwell on the past.”
Adelaide Botz, 16, Sophomore
Adelaide Botz, a Cordova native, praises the spirited and supportive environment of Cordova High School.
“Everyone is cheered on for what they do, it is rare to see someone made fun of for following their passions,” she said.
Botz’s favorite subject in school is English, and reading and writing is something that she has enjoyed since elementary school.
“It brings out my creativity and allows me to improve in literature comprehension and to really appreciate what people write,” she said.
Building new experiences and trying out different things outside her comfort zone are what drive Botz and fuel her passions. In the future she hopes to have a job related to psychology because she thinks that it is important to have an understanding of other people, and she would like to help people build that understanding.
Final thought: “If you are afraid to do something because you think you’ll fail then you’ll never really know what you are capable of,” she said. “Sometimes the only things you can do is try, and that’s enough.”
Chelsea Mapili, 16, Sophomore
Chelsea Mapili, born and raised in Cordova and a sophomore at Cordova High School has been passionate about music since before she can even remember.
“Singing, playing piano and guitar, writing and composing music is something I have fun with and something I look to for motivation and support” she said. Mapili’s favorite part of the school day is music and choir class, since she loves all kinds of music and excels in many different instruments and musical styles.
In the future, Mapili hopes to be successful enough in her future to help give her parents the life they worked hard to give her, help her family in the Philippines, and someday have a family of her own.
What she loves about Cordova is the tight-knit and spirited community, especially within the student body of Cordova High School. She also loves how “everybody knows and supports each other in the local traditions and events.”
Final thought: “We’re here for a good time not a long time, so I plan to seize all of the opportunities I can in life.”
Lily Simpler, 14, Freshman
Lily Simpler is a freshman at Cordova High School and what she loves best about Cordova is the scenery.
“In winter I can go out the road and see the frost on the trees,” she said. “In summertime I like to go out to Power Creek to hear the water going over the cliffs.”
Simpler’s passion is acting. She thinks it is fun to pretend to be different characters and personalities that she would not normally act like, and also enjoys the makeup and costume of different characters.
Simpler loves learning about different cultures and traveling. Spanish is her favorite subject in school and she hopes that she will someday use her Spanish speaking skills in other countries she visits.
Final thought, a quote from Albert Einstein: “Life is like a bicycle. To keep balance, you have to keep moving.”
Hayden Tschappat,14, Freshman
Hayden Tschappat was born in Girdwood and moved to Cordova from McCarthy when she started kindergarten. Over time Hayden has come to think of Cordova as home and appreciates that despite its size, it provides a variety of opportunities for the young people of the town.
Currently a freshman at Cordova High School, she loves learning about history, because she says “learning about history helps us understand the moments that have shaped the world into what it is today.”
In her future Tschappat hopes to seek a career that makes her feel thrilled to get up and go everyday.
“I hear people talking about their jobs as burdens that they have to bear every day,” she said. “I want to have a job that fuels my passion for life and excites me.”
Tschappat is also passionate about volleyball. It brings her so much joy to be a part of a team, experience wins and losses, and it allows her to come together with others in a unique and beautiful way.
Final thought: “Stay close to the people who feel like sunshine.”
