Sixteen students from the West Jefferson Hills School District just did something remarkable. Competing against problem solvers from across Pennsylvania, these kids - eight from the high school and eight from the middle school - earned top rankings at the Future Problem Solving Pennsylvania State Bowl. They've been invited to represent Pennsylvania at the Future Problem Solving International Competition World Finals at Indiana University in Bloomington, June 10-14, 2026.
This isn't a trip you can sign up for. These kids earned their spot.
What is Future Problem Solving?
Future Problem Solving is a rigorous academic competition founded in 1974 that challenges students to research complex global issues and develop creative real-world solutions under timed conditions. Over 2,000 students from more than a dozen countries compete at the International Conference each year. Our students will compete in Global Issues Problem Solving, where four-person teams tackle a future scenario on this year's worlds final topic: forestry.
These kids don't just memorize facts - they analyze problems, think critically about the future, and build solutions as a team. It's the kind of deep thinking our world needs more of.
The Store Behind the Dedication
Among our qualifiers is a group of four 12-grade girls who have been a part of Future Problem Solving since the 6th grade. This will be their final year of eligibility, and they've saved their best for last. To get here, they didn't just study - they sacrificed.
During the week of the Pennsylvania State Bowl, these four girls were also performing in their school musical. On competition day, they finished their show, drove three hours to the State Bowl, competed the next morning, and then drove three hours back to make their next performance. That's the kind of commitment and passion these students bring to everything they do.
This is their last chance to compete on the world stage - and they earned it.
What we need
The competition fee is $825 per student, which covers room, meals, and the competition itself. With 16 students, that's $13,200 in competition costs, plus approximately $800 in travel expenses from the drive from the Pittsburgh area to Bloomington, Indiana.
Here's how we plan to cover the total:
- GoFundMe goal: $8,000 - This is the foundation of our fundraising effort
- Additional fundraisers - We're also running hoagie sales, donut sales, and Moe's Southwest Grill fundraiser to close the gap.
- School support - The district is covering chaperone costs, but families are responsible for student fees.
How your donation helps
- $25 helps cover a student's travel costs
- $50 covers one student's travel and meals for a day
- $100 covers more than 10% of one student's competition fee
- $825 sends one student to the World Finals
Every dollar does directly toward getting these 16 students to Bloomington. Any funds raised beyond our goal will be applied to remaining student expenses.
Why This Matters
For many of these students, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They've spent months researching, writing, and refining their problem-solving skills. They competed against the best in Pennsylvania and came out on top. Now they have the chance to stand alongside the best in the world.
They've done the hard work. They just need help getting there.
Thank you for supporting these incredible young problem solvers. Every donation -- and every share -- makes a difference.
Edit: I’ve been asked to include that Mr.
Capretto asked me to create this fundraiser. All funds that are raised will be withdrawn and given directly to Mr.
Capretto for trip payment.