People

College kudos

Silver Bay native Ashley Clark has been named a residential assistant at Bemidji State University. Clark is a junior who is studying political science.

Residential assistants, student leaders who live in BSU residence halls, provide guidance, academic assistance, and support to all students who reside on campus.

RAs are hired by BSU’s Department of Residential Life and one RA is assigned to each floor in each of BSU’s residence halls. RAs ensure the safety and overall well-being of resident students. RAs also organize floor and building events and events with other dorms in order to build community among residents.

Cancer research

After four family members faced the same life-threatening disease, Two Harbors resident Jenny Falk decided to take action. Falk recently helped organize the Two Harbors proclamation with Mayor Randy Bolen that declared November the month of pancreatic cancer awareness.

Falk said she knew nothing about pancreatic cancer until her husband’s step-father was diagnosed with it and passed away four months later. Afterwards, Falk found out her great-grandmother had also passed away because of pancreatic cancer. Her aunt and mother were also diagnosed with the same disease.

Falk joined the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, which is a national advocacy organization. Falk said she believes that not enough money is spent on research for pancreatic cancer and that she hopes that changes. “I’m very worried. I have two kids,” Falk said. “That’s why I have become so involved.”

Media coverage of celebrities afflicted with the disease also helps to spread awareness. Falk said the deaths of eighties movie star Patrick Swayze and Apple Inc. founder Steve Jobs brought pancreatic cancer further into the public eye.

Falk said that there are no definite plans for events focusing on pancreatic cancer in Two Harbors at this time, though an exploratory meeting for the Duluth chapter of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will be held in Duluth at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 in the Fitgers complex.

Falk said the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has been trying to pass a bill that would increase funding for research on the disease.

Today Falk’s mother is cancer-free, although she goes to check-ups every three months. Last month Falk and thirty family walked in the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in Rochester (above).

Award finalist

Two Harbors High School student Madison Olson was named a finalist for the High School Heisman Award, which recognizes scholar-athletes. Olson is an athlete on the softball and volleyball teams.

Tags: community, people