Discover Your Potential
Dear Editor: The Blatchley Middle School Student Council would like to take this opportunity to thank Sitka CHARR, Sitka Tribe of Alaska and the whole community for supporting Discover Your Potential at Blatchley Middle School.
This week gave students a break from the normal routine and stress of school. It was nice to be able to get to know teachers in a different way and to share the things they enjoy doing outside the classroom. It was also wonderful being able to get to know our new teachers and the guest presenters.
During this week, we loved being able to participate in classes like Scuba, leave campus for things like aquarium science and rock climbing, and learn things with friends in a more casual environment. Another thing we really appreciated was being able to get to know other kids who we don’t see in class. Some students (especially some sixth-graders who will get to do DYP again) were in classes they never thought would be fun, but now they are inspired to learn more.
This week, some of us have been able to participate in classes and activities we wouldn’t necessarily have the funds or equipment or materials to try on our own. Without the generosity of the community, we would have missed some great life lessons.
Thank you to AC Lakeside, Sea Mart, the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, the James family, the Peterson family, the Fujioka family and SPC, and the Sealaska Heritage Institute for donating funds, materials, supplies and snacks. Thank you to Island Bus, the Church of the Nazarene, and Captain Tony’s Charters for making sure we had transportation to events off campus.
In addition to making donations, many Sitkans came to the school to share their talents. We would like to thank: Lakrisha Johnson and Claire O’Halloran-Tlingit Beading; Lt. Commander Woodcock-U.S. Coast Guard Careers; Sgt. Lance Ewers-Introduction to Law Enforcement; Katherine Richards-Nails w/Kat; Charles Hart-Sitka Silks; Lt. Grant Miller-Alaska State Trooper Academy; Hannah McCarty, Morgaine Enfejian-Baranof Elementary Buddies and Books; Professor Joel Markis & students of UAS, Scuba; Jonathon Pijar (AmeriCorps), Martial Arts; Ashley Green and Rob Emley, AMSEA Survival Skills; Charlie Skultka, Skateboards; Pastor JoJo Nabua, Filipino Cooking; Zaide Allen,Volleyball; Hillary Nutting, Native Youth Olympics; Steve Bethune (Alaska Department of Fish & Game), Hunters Education; Tim Hall and Chad Goeden, Alaska State Troopers; Vaughn Hazel, Jack Greehailgh, U.S. Forest Service; Hames Center, Rock Climbing; Stan Johnson, Mike Johnson, Randy Gluth (Sitka Sportsman’s Association), Shotgun 101; James Steinson, Football; Sitka Trail Works, Hiking.
And especially, thank you teachers, paraeducators and administrators at BMS. It wouldn’t have been possible without the staff organizing this opportunity for us. We know it was a lot of work for everyone and we really appreciate it. This was a great break and an opportunity to learn new skills and participate in new activities.
We apologize to anyone who helped out whom we haven’t mentioned. We know this was a huge event to plan. Thank you!
Dylan Radzukinas, Weston Allred, Natalie Hall and Olivia Skan
on behalf of the
Blatchley Middle School Student Council
