Amelia Nowak and Derek Duerr Memorial Fund

Amelia Nowak and Derek Duerr were killed in a tragic automobile crash in the early morning hours of August 21st, 2022. The young couple was just weeks away from starting their first year of college.

Amelia, 18, had just graduated with honors from South Anchorage High School, where she was captain of the girl's varsity basketball team and played in the Alaska All Stars Game. She had accepted an academic scholarship to Western Washington, where she planned to study mathematics and ultimately pursue a career in Medicine. Friends described Amelia as sweet, loving, positive, hard-working and always ready to put a smile on your face or hype you up. Her family remembers her playfulness and dedication to her sisters.

Derek, 20, played basketball at East Anchorage high school and had accepted a basketball scholarship to Bellevue Community College. He was planning on pursuing a degree in business. Friends described Derek as a loyal friend, kind, hard-working, funny, dedicated and positive. Derek was devoted to his family and often found ways to make them feel special.

Amelia and Derek met at the Alaska Club, where they both worked. The couple were hard-working and dedicated. Derek worked two jobs and still managed to make time every day for basketball practice. Amelia practiced every morning and lifted weights every evening. They bonded over their shared love of the game and physical fitness. The couple had been dating for almost a year and planned to visit each other every month during the school year. They both said that basketball kept them focused on the important things in life.

Basketball in Anchorage, Alaska can be a financial burden for many students and their families. Costs can include uniforms, equipment, and travel and accommodation for tournaments hundreds of miles away. To honor Amelia and Derek, 100% of this fund will be used help ease that burden and provide support for youth basketball in Anchorage. We are aiming to raise enough funds to provide annual support to these young athletes.