Imagine living in a place where the temperature may drop as low as -20 degrees fahrenheit. Imagine opening your eyes at midnight to see the sun outside your window, and experience daytime for 24 hours in the summer. This is the life of the inhabitants of Barrow, Alaska. The northernmost city in the United States is located above the Arctic Circle and experiences two months without sunrise and almost two months without night. Most of us won’t ever have any interaction with these people who live about 3,400 miles from us, but some already have.

Paul Geary’s sophomore English class has written letters to fellow sophomores at Barrow High School. The students from both CT and AK may lead very different lives, but will discover that they share many common interests. Woodland students were very eager to ask numerous questions on how the Alaskans experience everyday life. Many were curious about the Barrow High football team, called the Whalers, and if they are similar to our own Woodland Hawks. Students asked questions such as, “Are there any roads leading to Barrow from the rest of Alaska?” and, “When the Whalers have away games do they take a flight to the other team?”

Woodland students are still awaiting letters back but some Alaskans have contacted them through social media. The Woodland sophomores who wrote their Instagram usernames on the letters were followed and direct messaged by other Alaskan sophomores.

Erica Michie, a sophomore in Mr. Geary’s class says, “I was excited to write to the Alaskans and receive a follow back on Instagram.”

Many were excited to have heard who received their letter and to see what they look like. Mr. Geary’s students are excited to get answers to all of their questions and to communicate further with their new Alaskan penpals.