Dear Editor: Last Wednesday, Sitka High School welcomed the largest group of freshmen to walk through our doors since 2010. The 92 members of the Class of 2029 were blessed with beautiful weather and the incredible generosity of our community and the tourism industry.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to Holland America and the crew of the Eurodam for graciously allowing us to tour the vessel. Our students learned how math and science are woven into their daily operations, and they especially enjoyed the opportunity to dine onboard! We’re also grateful to the staff at Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska, who generously helped plan the visit and ensured all paperwork was in place for us to board a foreign-flagged vessel.
Our appreciation goes to Sheet’ka Treetop Adventures, their dedicated crew, and Shee Atiká Corporation for helping our students connect with the natural world, take healthy risks, and support and encourage one another along the way.
Thank you to Island Bus for providing transportation throughout the day. When our schedule ran late and their drivers had to head to Xóots and Keet, Sitka Dock Company stepped in to make sure our last group made it back to SHS safely. This was totally last minute, but their manager and drivers were incredibly kind and flexible.
Starting high school is a big step toward becoming an independent young adult, and thanks to the generosity of these businesses and organizations, this milestone was made even more memorable for the students in the Class of ’29.
Laura Rogers, Principal, Sitka High School
