Help Stuart Travel to Japan!

My name is Amanda, and my husband Cullen and I are asking for your support on behalf of our son, Stuart, who is so close to attaining his dream of traveling to Japan!

Stuart is a 17-year-old Junior attending a public high school in west-central Wisconsin. Since 9th grade, Stuart has taken the Japanese language and culture classes offered at his school.

[Stuart, standing outside of our house, on the first day of school, 2023]

Learning a new language has not come easily to Stuart; but he is motivated by a strong sense of cultural curiosity and humility, and the goal of participating in the annual, 3-week trip to Japan as a Senior. Experiencing Japan as a guest, with an emphasis on forging meaningful connections to the country, its people, their history, and their way of life, is something Stuart recognizes as an enormous privilege: one which he does not take lightly.

Both the rigor of Stuart's Japanese classes, and the existence of the uniquely immersive trip to Japan, can be credited to Stuart's teacher, Nagai Sensei. Hiroko Nagai has organized the Japan trip for more than 20 years, and is held in high regard by students, past and present, for her efforts to foster global citizenship.

In 2022, when the school district announced plans to discontinue Japanese and Hmong language classes-- the only two non-European languages represented in its World Languages course offerings-- there was an outpouring of opposition from those who had felt the positive impact of Nagai Sensei's classes over the years. Stuart, who has also taken summer language classes in Hmong, attended a school board meeting where he witnessed speaker after speaker explaining how much Nagai Sensei's classes have meant to them. The school district was moved to reverse their decision, and Stuart was left with an invaluable lesson in not only the power of civic engagement, but the importance of cross-cultural learning.

[Stuart, at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Sakura Matsuri, 2019]

Sadly, in the summer of 2023, Stuart went through a traumatic event that has led to a lot of struggle. Out of respect for those involved, I will only say that the parent of one of Stuart's close friends died unexpectedly, and, although Stuart did not directly witness this, he was in the home when and where it happened.

Stuart, who is a very kind and empathetic person, threw himself into showing support to his friend whose parent had passed away. Caring for them was an important coping skill for Stuart, too. However, fully processing the ways in which this tragedy continues to affect Stuart, himself, has been a greater challenge for him. We are so proud of Stuart for persevering with therapy and prioritizing his mental health, which includes continuing to attend school, participating in show choir, and working a part-time job as a grocery store produce clerk. It would be a heavy load for anyone to carry, but especially for someone who is still a teenager.

[Stuart, stocking produce during his first week at his grocery store job, 2022]

Earlier this week, we got word from Nagai Sensei that she would like to offer a spot on this year's Japan trip to Stuart. Juniors have never been invited on this trip in the past, but, due to a convergence of circumstances, and her belief-- which we share-- that it will be a transformative experience for him, she made an exception. And we are all so, so grateful!

However, we could really use your help! Stuart has been diligent about saving money from his job, and Cullen and I had planned to scrape together the balance. We just thought we would have another 18 months to do it! Now, with a departure date of June 8, 2024, we need to make our first of two deposits by February 2.

Our fundraising goal is $4000, which represents the entire actual cost of the trip. That's right: airfare, travel throughout Japan, lodging, meals-- everything except personal spending money. (Nagai Sensei knows what she is doing!). There are also, of course, ancillary expenses associated with obtaining a passport, appropriate travel gear, and so forth, which is all in the works. So, although the trip fee is very economical, all things considered, having that covered would be a huge relief.

Cullen and I have both chosen paths influenced by our desire to advocate for others and contribute to our community: Cullen by cultivating and collaborating on cultural enrichment through the performing arts, and myself by working at a local nonprofit, providing free and confidential services to those who have been affected by interpersonal violence. Although this doesn't always afford our two children every luxury, we are committed to supporting them in pursuing their own passions in any way possible, while upholding the values of compassion, open-mindedness, and caring relationships. The opportunity for Stuart to travel to Japan aligns with what we, as parents, have always hoped to provide him.

[Our family, on a visit to Pattison State Park in northern Wisconsin, 2020]

We will share more details about the Japan trip once we have them. For now, here are some highlights:

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your donation in any amount!