Board Member Sam Atkinson with his fiancé, Jazmine

Sam moved to Kotzebue with his family at age 12, and has not felt at home anywhere else since. Now 29, he works as an optician trainee at Maniilaq Health Center, while completing a Radiologic Technology program at University of Alaska Anchorage. He plans to settle down in Kotzebue with his fiancé, Jazmine, and return to Maniilaq with his newly minted credentials. His hobbies include running, snowmobile riding, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, skijoring, and dog handling. He has had a handful of experiences with dog mushing and many years of volunteering with the race, and has recently enjoyed assisting local mushers with their kennels. As a first year board member, he plans to observe how the board runs in a supporting role, including managing race supplies and sponsorships, weighing in on board decisions, and more. He hopes to make his first year one of many, and wishes all the mushers good luck!