Birch bark texture.

Ahtna Kanas Winter 2019

Soccer Team Brings Home Trophy and Memories

By Alma John, Ahtna Shareholder

CIS Team photo
Ahtna shareholder Devin Ferdinand (second row, second from left) and the 2006 Cook Inlet Soccer Club boys celebrate their Las Vegas Mayor’s Cup victory

Ahtna shareholder Devin Carter Ferdinand returned from the Las Vegas Mayor’s Cup International Tournament and Showcase, where his Cook Inlet Soccer Club (CISC) team took first place in their division.

Devin is the son of Ahtna shareholder Alma John and grandson of Ahtna shareholder Elder Fred John Jr. and Linnea John of Mentasta Lake Village.

Devin traveled to Las Vegas with his Cook Inlet 2006 Boys Soccer team to compete in an international tournament. The boys lost to Arizona and had to work their way back up to get a rematch in the championship game. In that match, the CISC boys got their revenge in the form of two, five-minute overtimes which led to a penalty-kick shootout. These boys played with everything they had and showed up ready to compete. Devin and his team prepared for this tournament by practicing three times a week and scrimmaging older teams in their own club. All their hard work paid off and the boys came home with a giant trophy and memories that will last a lifetime. Congratulations to our CISC 06 Boys!

Devin has been playing soccer since the age of 3 and now competes in a competitive league in Anchorage. He dreams of becoming the next pro soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo one day. If his dream of professional soccer player doesn’t pan out, he hopes to take his love of soccer to a local university, where he can play competitively and pursue an education. Devin plays many positions on the field, including mid-fielder and defender.

Devin would like to thank all his friends and family from the Ahtna region who supported him to travel to Las Vegas. Thank you so much to everyone who bought empanadas and raffle tickets. We are so grateful for your support here in Alaska. It takes a village to raise a child