Two survive typhoon

Two Sturgis High School graduates have reported they are safe after surviving Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Elsa Thomasma  and Carter Brown sought refuge in the city of Tacloban, which was the largest municipality hit by last week’s typhoon. The two, who are 2008 Sturgis High School graduates, have been overseas in a humanitarian capacity through GoAbroad Philippines.

Diane Brown, mother of Carter Brown, said three days passed before she heard from her son Sunday night. She said her son was able to board a military plane and fly to Manila and he is due home today.

Thomasma, meanwhile, opted to stay behind and appeal for help to aid residents in a rural village where she has been overseeing construction of an evacuation and community center.

She is expected home for two weeks next month but will return to the island nation with the intention of taking on additional benevolent causes, according to her mother, Cathie Thomasma.