David Jackson
Dear Editor: The passing of David Jackson has been something that has not only shocked the PHS community, but the district and Sitka as well.
David’s death undoubtedly has had a major impact on our community, and has brought all the challenges that this type of sudden, untimely accident can impose on friends, peers, and family. However, the overwhelming element has been the amount of support that has poured in from every corner of the community. Every school in the district, as well as Mt. Edgecumbe and beyond has offered up counseling services, mental health supports, and basically anything they can do to help.
Furthermore, community members have been calling and emailing to offer condolences, support, and services we may need. Staff has been modifying curriculum, having supportive conversations, and pivoting day-to-day to meet the emotional and academic needs of students on top of their already busy workload.
At the core, the most inspiring item has been the strength and support by David’s family, and how they have not only supported David, but all of us as well. We really just want to extend a major thank you to the community of Sitka for all they have done to come together and provide support during this tragic event. We are figuring out our next steps, but know we have the community behind us.
Matt Groen, Principal
Pacific High School
Brave Heart Benefit
Dear Editor: Brave Heart Volunteers recently held our fifth annual Buoys & Chairs Online Auction, which raised $19,854! We appreciate the many bidders, artists, and businesses who contributed to making our fundraiser a success.
Thank you to the artists who created such fabulous buoys and chairs: Annie Howell Adams, Marshall Barg, Emma Bruhl, Sandra Butler, Maia Carter, Laura Deroles, Ally DeSantis, Cora Dow, Angie Eaton, Randy Ferguson, Kimberly Gleason, Ellie Jansen, Yusur Jasim, Martin Johnson Jr., Pat Kehoe, Merri Larson, Barb Leuty, Holly Morris, Pagni Family, Jude Reis, DJ Robidou, Victoria Smith, Libby Stortz, Allie Spurlock, Amy Sweeney and Rain Van Den Berg.
We also appreciate the amazing rope skills of Chelsea Huckbody, who tied the lines of 23 buoys! For all of these kind individuals to selflessly share their time and talent with BHV means the world to us.
We also want to thank Alaskan Designed, Russell’s and Sitka Mercantile, who gave prized store space to display buoys and chairs for us this summer. Pat Kehoe, Amy Sweeney and the Island Artists Gallery also deserve many thanks for exhibiting the artwork throughout the auction and hosting a special viewing, with live music by Maia Carter and refreshments from Sea Mart.
We also appreciate the businesses that sponsored our auction: Alaska’s Blue-Eyed Bear, Dr. Ross Marley, Edward Jones, Foreign Automotive, Horan & Company, Mitchell J. Pies Agency Inc., North Pacific Seafoods, Pacific Services, Silver Bay Seafoods, Sitka Ace Hardware, Sitka Dock Company, Sitka Elks Lodge, Wayfinder Wealth, White’s Inc., and Wintersong Soap Company. We feel incredibly fortunate to have the support of these wonderful organizations.
Two other organizations that remain steadfast BHV supporters are the Daily Sitka Sentinel and KCAW Raven Radio. Their regular promotion and coverage of our events always aids in making our fundraisers successful and we cannot thank them enough.
Thank you all for helping BHV champion our neighbors who are experiencing grief, loneliness, or nearing the end of life. We could not do it without you and we are immensely grateful for you. In gratitude,
Angie DelMoral, Executive Director
Brave Heart Volunteers
Thanks, Russell’s
Dear Editor: We, at the Island Artists Gallery, want to thank Steven and Ashley Eisenbeisz of Russell’s Outdoor Gear for so graciously sharing their Starlink system to help a number of the downtown Sitka storefronts be able to stay open and serve customers efficiently during this recent Internet/phone failure.
They were helpful beyond words as we and many other businesses discovered how impossible it has become to function without connectivity. Steven and Ashley, thank you to so much for your support of downtown Sitka.
Members of the
Island Artists Gallery
