Hello! My name is Atsuko Yamaguchi, and I’m a Japanese language teacher at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle.

For over 50 years, Nathan Hale has had a special student exchange program with our sister school, Naha High School in Okinawa, Japan. I’ve helped coordinate this life-changing experience for students for many years.

However, our school district recently announced they will no longer support this trip as a school-sponsored field trip. To continue the tradition, we are forming a nonprofit booster club called:

Friends of the Naha–Nathan Hale Student Exchange

This nonprofit will allow us to continue sending students to Japan by working closely with families and alumni — while managing trip funds safely and legally outside the school.

Your donations will help us:

Legally establish the nonprofit (state and IRS filing)

Purchase basic liability insurance to protect volunteers

Open a secure bank account for collecting future trip fees

Our goal is to raise $1,500 to cover all startup and legal costs.

If you’ve ever been touched by international exchange — or want to support meaningful cultural opportunities for students — please consider donating. Every dollar helps us keep this historic connection alive for future generations.

Thank you so much for your support!