SHS Gives Thanks
Dear Editor: The holiday season offers us the opportunity to reflect on all of our blessings, and the teachers and students at Sitka High School are fortunate to live in a community whose members are so generous with their time and knowledge. We have had an enriched fall semester because of the willingness of Sitkans to donate their time and energy in support of our youths.
Janet Clarke and the staff at the Sitka Sound Science Center have brought spectacular scientists, Humboldt squid and the music of whales through our doors. The Sitka Fine Arts Camp offered students from SHS and BMS the opportunity to hear the a cappella group, the House Jacks, at a Friday assembly. Director Peter Bradley and the Island Institute introduced us to visiting artist Kristian Cordero, who spent time with multiple groups of students, teaching them about writing and videography. Alexander Allison and Aaron Bean joined us to lead an afternoon seminar on “How to Get Your Captain’s License.”
On Veterans Day, Cmdr. William Lewin, accompanied by several local veterans including Herman Davis, Lt. Lance Ewers, Lucas Goddard, Ben Miyasato and Jaime Ackley, addressed the student body about the importance of respecting the symbols of our country and our First Amendment rights. Later in the month, women in leadership roles throughout the city gave up their time to come in and share stories and advice with our students. Thank you to Nancy Douglas, Magistrate Rachael Jones, Angie Bowers, Edith Johnson, AMT1 Kristen Bucci and Superintendents Mary Wegner and Janelle Vanasse. Last week, students were fortunate to be able to see a preview of the Sitka Studio of Dance’s “The Nutcracker–An Alaskan Tale.”
There have been so many classroom guest speakers and “behind the scenes” supporters of our activities that it would be impossible to list them. Thanks are offered to all of you who have donated your time and energy to make our school a more exciting and vibrant learning environment. While Sitka may be more isolated than cities “down south,” we clearly live in a place where people have a shared sense of responsibility for the education of the next generation, and everyone benefits as a result.
Laura Rogers, Principal,
Sitka High School
Christmas Bazaar
Dear Editor: The 2017 Annual Christmas Bazaar was our biggest and best in its 37-year history. Sitka Counseling would like to say a big “thank you” to all Sitkans for showing their tremendous support for our organization and the bazaar. We could not have completed this year successfully without our wonderful vendors, staff and especially the community!
The day was filled with smiling faces, it was obvious you enjoyed yourselves as much as we did. We would like to thank Sea Mart/Hames Corporation, Harry Race Pharmacy, AC Lakeside, Forget Me Not Antique Photo Parlor, and the Harrigan Centennial Hall staff for their donations which made this event a huge success. All of us at Sitka Counseling look forward to next year. Happy holidays.
The Sitka Counseling Staff
