Introducing the Tazlina and the Hubbard, Alaska's two new ferries
Two Alaska students won naming rights Tuesday for the state's two new ferries.
Malea Voran, a 7th-grade student at Tanalian School in Port Alsworth, went with "the Tazlina." Taylor Thompson, a 10th-grader at Eagle River High School, chose "the Hubbard."
Both are in line with state law that requires ferries be named after an Alaska glacier.
Voran and Thompson submitted their chosen names along with short essays on the glaciers as part of a statewide contest.
"'The Tazlina' just rolls off your tongue," Voran wrote. "You could even nickname it the Tenacious Tazzy, or something enjoyable and intriguing to persuade passengers to want to ride on this ferry."
A total of 448 students sent in essays. Gov. Bill Walker and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott announced the contest winners on Tuesday, using Skype to video conference into the students' classrooms.
The ferries are being built at a Ketchikan shipyard. The Alaska Legislature approved funding for the projects in 2009 and 2012. Upon completion in 2018, the ferries will provide boat service between Juneau, Haines and Skagway, according to the governor's office.