Help Hmong Student Represent Alaska in DC

Hi there! As a teacher of English Language Learners, I get to meet students of diverse cultures, languages, and family histories that teach me every day. But because of the lack of educational support for the barriers faced by our underserved immigrant population in Anchorage, it is rare to see our English language learner's hard work and dedication to scholarship be acknowledged at a state and national level-- or even at their own schools.

This year, one of our 11th-grade Hmong students from South Anchorage High School, won 2nd place in Alaska for the National History Day Competition on her essay "The Frontier Led by the Secret War: Hmong Immigration from Laos to America". Her World History teacher, Ms. Wardwell, says all her students participated in their own project, but that this student chose to finalize and submit her essay to the competition.

National History Day invites the top two winners of each state to compete nationally and participate in a country-wide, youth civics conference in Washington, DC on June 11-16. Due to financial hardship, she will not be able to take this incredible opportunity without full funding.

Her words:

Hello, I am Helen, a Hmong American who has been given the opportunity to take a place in the Nationals of National History Day. I had written an essay discussing the Hmong immigration to America which I hope will inform more people about my people and background from being part of this program. As a daughter of seven siblings and being one of the oldest along with divorced parents, I want to be able to take opportunities like this to show my younger siblings and anyone who may relate to these situations that even with many siblings or coming from a broken family there are people and organizations who could help raise money for this kind of funds that benefit their educational journey. Additionally, I would like to take these kinds of opportunities to prove that I could still accomplish a lot even with struggles to find money during these occasions. Altogether, financial costs have been a struggle most of our life with providing for 6 siblings, so being able to raise money to help me with this chance would be so amazing!

Funding Goal Budget: $2000

$1,200- for summer airfare from Anchorage to DC: June 11-16

$540 - Room & Board on Campus of NHD Competition

$160 - Registration Fee for Competition

$100- A small amount of spending money for travel expenses, transportation or emergencies. She will most likely not have more than this, so if we go over our goal, it will allow a larger buffer for any unforeseen expenses.