In the community of Sitka in Southeast Alaska, a group of talented Alaskan youth took on the challenge of public speaking, debate, and theatre performances by joining the Drama, Debate, and Forensics team (DDF) at Mount Edgecumbe High School. Unforeseen funding challenges have arisen, which places the team's opportunity to travel to compete in jeopardy. The students are based in Sitka at their residential school but represent communities across Alaska including Noorvik, Klawock, Port Alexander, Tok, Kwethluk, and Wales.

Parents, students, and their coaches are fundraising for the travel money needed so the team can represent their school and their state at competition. The DDF platform has many great benefits for Alaskan youth. The experience of debating, speaking in public, and performing theatre in front of others inspires students to have the confidence to pursue higher education and prepare them for future leadership roles.

Your support would help us reach our goal and demonstrate your commitment to fostering education and youth development within Alaska. We believe there are great benefits to sponsoring young Alaskans who bring their academic skills and confidence to the DDF platform.

Given the isolated geographic location of Sitka, travel by airplane tends to be the mode of travel students use to attend meets and competitions for DDF. Airfares can be as high as $300 per student for a flight from Sitka to Anchorage. However, we truly believe the high cost of travel is worth every cent when evaluated against the experiences these young Alaskans gain. Competing in DDF and using academic skills to debate, build confidence, and leadership skills that these young Alaskans will one day use to fulfill meaningful careers in their communities across Alaska.

The current DDF team is a motivated group of students who deserve to be supported. At a recent event, they won the Sportsmanship award and the award for Academic Excellence. This is just the kind of young Alaskans donors' money should support. Teenagers who work as a team, are courteous to others, and win awards for their academic pursuits.