A Biography of Integrity

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Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has managed to balance her family life with public service. Living the American Dream while ensuring it for other to enjoy.

Sarah's parents arrived in Alaska in 1964 to teach school in Skagway.

Palin was the point guard for the Wasilla High School Warriors when they won the state small school basketball championship in 1982.

In 1984, Palin competed in the Miss Alaska contest after being chosen Miss Wasilla that year. In the Wasilla contest, she played the flute and also won the title of Miss Congeniality.

After moving to the Valley and graduating from Wasilla High, Sarah earned her Journalism degree from the University of Idaho. She worked in media and the utility industry before beginning her public service 14 years ago.

Sarah was elected to two terms on the Wasilla City Council, and then two terms as the Mayor / Manager of Alaska's fastest growing community. During her tenure as Mayor she reduced property tax levels while increasing services and made Wasilla a business friendly environment drawing in new industry. The responsibility of managing dozens of employees including a growing police department and public works department, and overseeing the multimillion dollar capital and operating budgets provided her with hands-on, 21st Century relevant administrative experience. Sarah's demonstrated leadership was also recognized when she was elected by her mayoral peers as President of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. In this role, she worked with local, state and federal officials to promote solutions to the needs of Alaska's communities.

Sarah served as Chairman of Alaska's Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which regulates Alaska's most valuable non-renewable resources: oil and gas. She also served on the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. Sarah was named one of Alaska's "Top 40 Under 40", Alaska's Public Works "Person of the Year", and was recently inducted into the Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society at Alaska Pacific University.

Sarah is currently an elected board member of Valley Hospital, has served on numerous boards and commissions throughout the State, and stays active as a marathon runner, sports team mom, hockey manager and school volunteer.

Palin is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. Her husband, Todd, works for BP at an oil field on the North Slope and is a commercial fisherman. On September 11, 2007, the Palins' son Track joined the Army. Age 18 at the time, he is the eldest of her five children. She also has three daughters, Bristol, 17, Willow, 13, and Piper, 7. On April 18, 2008, Palin gave birth to her second son, Trig Paxson Van Palin, who has Down syndrome. The Palin family lives in Wasilla, about 40 miles north of Anchorage.