Mary Qayaruaq Nicolai is a daughter of Sophie and late Joseph Guy. Born in Bethel, she was raised with traditional Yupik values and lifestyle in Kwethluk. Mary, extremely proud of her Yugtun language and culture, has passed this on to countless students, teaching for 30 years in Lower Kuskokwim School District, all in her own hometown. She would love to see more students explore some sort of education after high school and see that there are so many different opportunities for them, regardless of where they are from.