The Academy @ Shawnee is a priority public school serving students grades 6-12 in northwest Louisville, Kentucky. This year, for the 4th year in a row, Shawnee's Middle School will be taking its 8th grade graduating class of 40 students on a fun-filled educational trip to our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., and we are in need of support in order to enable 14 those students from lower-income families to attend along with their peers.

The trip will take place in April, 2019, and will include visits to the following D.C. staples:

-- the Capitol Building,
-- the Supreme Court,
-- the White House,
-- several of the Smithsonian Museums,
-- the Holocaust Museum,
-- the National Cathedral, and 
-- various breathtaking monuments on the National Mall.

Students will also be helping to prepare food for those in need at D.C. Central Kitchen and attending a Washington Nationals baseball game. This is an unforgettable learning opportunity for our students, many of whom have never ventured more than a few states away, let alone to Washington, D.C.

Unfortunately, because we are a priority public school with a majority of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch, we have a number of eighth grade applicants who cannot attend this trip without outside financial support. We have done everything in our power to keep prices down—the total cost for the trip per student is only $650—but we still need half-scholarships for 14 students this year, which is more than we’ve ever had to raise funds for in the past.

Our scholarship applicants will be doing their part through various independent fundraisers to raise their halves of the cost for the trip, but in order to support them, we need to raise approximately $4,500 as a school. We know this is a lot of money. But we believe in the educational power of giving these kinds of experiences to young people, and that is why we are seeking your help.

Please consider making a donation! Anything will help. We have until February 1, 2019 to raise the funds needed for all students to attend this trip, which is one that these students will remember for the rest of their lives. All students deserve the chance to attend. 

With kind regards and sincere thanks,
 
Shawnee's faculty, on behalf of the 8th Grade class.