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Home: Newhalen, Alaska Stephanie was born in Anchorage while the family lived in Newhalen. She is the 2nd born of 5 children to Very Reverend Michael Trefon and Matushka Daria. Living in the bush village, it was necessary for her mother to be flown to Anchorage for medical care during childbirth. Stephanie has 3 brothers and 1 sister. She graduated from Newhalen High School in 1999 and attended college for 3 years at the University of Alaska in Anchorage on a scholarship. During her time at the university, Stephanie became very interested in Native American dance and joined a Yupik dance group for 3 years. During this time, Stephanie realized she wanted to learn more about Orthodoxy in order to tell people about the faith. It was important to her to be able to help them really feel the spirit. She wanted to be able to express how special this feeling would be in their lives and that Orthodoxy is the true faith. She entered a four-year program at St. Herman Theological Seminary in Kodiak the 03/04 seminary year. This is a special program for her studies with Father Chad Hatfield, Dean of SHS. She is interested in counseling wanting to concentrate on substance abuse with a focus on the children in the villages. Stephanie assists Father John Dunlop, Dean, Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Kodiak, with his youth Bible Study. Even though she likes her studies at the seminary, her biggest challenge has been being the only female student. At times this has been very difficult. One of the students there from Macedonia gives her support and encouragement and has told her that the hardest times are the times you learn to be strong. She is just beginning to become acquainted with other female students at St. Sophia House of St. Innocent Academy. This has been very helpful. She tries not to think of the hard times but rather of the good things that are happening. Stephanie has a boyfriend in Anchorage. He works with the FAA. He is supportive of her time at seminary and is a very good friend. It is hard for them not being together at times. Coming from a large family, she hopes to get married someday and herself have a family. Having helped raise her brothers and sisters, Stephanie feels it is important to teach young people about the faith so they will learn what is important and it will stay. with them. She understands that they need strong role models and will imitate older people who are around them. Stephanie traveled in March with Father Chad and another SHS student to St. Vladimir's Seminary to participate in the Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement. The students there were very happy to meet her. They had many questions about the Church in Alaska. During the summer, she joined an OCMC missionary team led by Fr. Chad to Hogar Rafael Orphanage in Guatemala. Stephanie was one of 2 students to be awarded tuition scholarships from FOCA (Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America - OCA). Father Chad is quite pleased with her and the other student stating that this is the first time SHS seminarians have received the scholarships. She will leave on October 2 with other young ladies from St. Sophia House for a month long pilgrimage to Bulgaria, Greece, and Macedonia. This has been worked into her seminary studies. She will be expected to give a report to the other students upon her return. Stephanie will graduate from St. Herman Theological Seminary in May 2007, God willing.
2421 Perry St. • Wichita, KS
67204 |
Stephanie
R. Trefon