Lemans Make History

The husband and daughter of CIRI shareholder Jamie Leman recently made basketball history. The 2A Ninilchik Lady Wolverines became the first girls’ team in Alaska to win four consecutive state championships. Under the leadership of six-time Small Schools Coach of the Year recipient Dan Leman, the Wolverines’ history includes 11 straight district championships and six state championships. In 12 years of appearances at the state tournament, the teams have placed no lower than third for the past 11 years.

Starting with their first state championship in 1996, five Ninilchik players have been named Small Schools Player of the Year, with Whitney Leman being the first girl in Alaska high school basketball to receive the honor three times (2001, 2002, 2003). She has been MVP of every tournament since her sophomore year and was a Wendy’s Heisman award state finalist and a McDonald’s All-American state finalist. She’s been a First Team All-State selection all four years. Currently, she is valedictorian of her class, National Honor Society president, and Student Body president. Future plans include playing college ball and studying photojournalism and business. She also hopes to coach someday. Whitney was recently featured in the May 5, 2003, issue of Sports Illustrated in “Faces in the Crowd,” a special section featuring local athletes.

Watson and Rasmussen Wed

CIRI shareholder Daniel Lee Watson and Heidi Rasmussen, of Copenhagen, Denmark, were married March 7, 2003, in Redmond, Oregon. Daniel is the grandson of the late Frederick A. Watson III.

Rolf Dagg

CIRI shareholder Rolf Dagg joined the Denali Commission as the ANCSA regional CEO’s liaison. Dagg’s main responsibilities are identifying partnership opportunities between the Denali Commission and the regional Native corporations, and long-term maintenance solutions for bulk fuel tanks in rural communities. “I am looking forward to developing partnerships that benefit all stakeholders in a community from the village to regional corporations to the state,” said Dagg. Dagg was formerly with Southcentral Foundation as the special assistant overseeing the design and construction of the new building for dental, optometry and behavioral health. He is of Yupik descent and graduated with a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Washington in 2001. The Denali Commission is an innovative federal-state partnership established by Congress in 1998 to provide critical utilities, infrastructure, and economic support throughout Alaska.