In a letter to Donna Peterson, superintendent of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, Duenas credited the HHS students for inspiring "me to continue with my own education so that I may also make meaningful contributions to our global society."

Photo by Aaron Selbig Homer High School Principal Rayna Duenas, right, presents the HHS class of 2009 to Dave Jones, assistant principal of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, at commencement ceremonies May 20. Liz Downing, left, who represents Homer on the KPBSD school board, looks on.

In response to e-mail questions from the Homer News, Duenas said the next step in her future is to enter the University of Alaska Fairbanks doctoral program in Indigenous Studies and "then move onto law school with an emphasis in maritime law, focusing on systems of sustainability. I am also interested in working with the Alaska Center for Appropriate Technology throughout this process, in whatever capacity I may contribute."

Asked if the principal's resignation, coming after the end of the 2008-2009 school year, was a surprise, Peterson said, "Yes, it was."

With classes for the 2009-2010 school year set to begin Aug. 24, the district is moving ahead to find a replacement for Duenas. The position has been posted on KPBSD's Web site and a public meeting will be held at 4 p.m. June 4 in the HHS library.

"It's our usual (meeting) to describe the process," Peterson said of finding a new principal.

In August 2006, Duenas was selected as assistant principal for Homer High School. Prior to that, from March 2005-July 2006, Duenas was program administrator for the Pathway Home, a long-term residential treatment facility for Native adolescents in the Anchorage area. From August 2004-August 2005, she was an assistant principal at elementary schools in the Anchorage School District. Duenas has a masters of education degree in educational leadership from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She also has a masters of arts teaching degree in secondary education from UAA, as well as a bachelor of arts degree in English from UAA.

In March 2008, Duenas was selected from a field of 19 applicants to replace Dr. Ron Keffer.

"As I get older, I want to be in a place with more community identification, greater importance on community," Duenas said at the time, when asked by Peterson why she was applying for the principalship. "Working here as an administrator was one of the best experiences of my life."

Of her decision to enter the field of law, Duenas said in her resignation letter that it would allow her "to address challenges from a systemic perspective. Having been raised within, and remain influenced by, an Alaskan Native concept of education, while concurrently benefiting from a Western educational system, I believe our future depends on blending indigenous elements of sustainability with Western scientific research."

Referencing "unprecedented opportunities" as well as "devastating consequences" facing today's global society, Duenas went on to say, "Envisioning the development of legal systems that derive from the strengths inherent in all human families motivates me to pursue the legal profession."

Liz Downing, who represents Homer on the KPBSD school board, said Duenas informed Downing of her resignation as soon as Duenas submitted her letter to Peterson.

"(Attending law school) is her plan," Downing said. "She said she was inspired by seeing Homer High graduates who want to go out and change the world and are doing great things. She wants to do some new things herself."

Of Duenas' impact on HHS, Downing said, "She had great vision for the school. I hope some of the things she has started in her three years at Homer High continue."

Specifically, Downing noted Duenas' focus on creating more options and expanding opportunities for students."

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.