MEHS Student Arts Project
Providing Cultural Support for Future Leaders
Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka is Alaska’s only public residential secondary school. Open to students in grades 9-12 from across Alaska and day students in Sitka, MEHS has earned its reputation as an incubator and training ground for Alaska Native and other rural leaders in the 49th state.
MEHS graduates play important roles in their families, their communities, and around the state. Look at the list of officers, directors, and senior managers of any Native corporation, Tribe, or nonprofit serving Alaska Natives, and you’ll find MEHS graduates. MEHS alumni include Alaska legislators, business leaders, attorneys, accountants, and engineers. MEHS prepares students for these roles through academic rigor, cultural education, and by fostering lifelong connections among young people in a residential environment.
Due to the state’s ongoing budget crisis and decades of deferred maintenance on the MEHS campus, the school lacks resources for cultural education and learning for MEHS students. A group of community volunteers has stepped up to raise funds for visiting artists, supplies, student travel to cultural events, and restoration of youth leadership positions through programs like Americorps and Jesuit Volunteers. Funds may also be used to support outdoor recreation opportunities for students.
Sitka Conservation Society is committed to supporting Alaska’s future leaders. We recognize that MEHS has a unique role in educating leaders who understand our Native and rural communities. We are supporting this volunteer fundraising effort on a temporary basis while others advocate for restoration of state funding. Any funds remaining at the end of the project will be transferred to an eligible nonprofit entity that serves the same purpose.
If you’d like to make a donation to support the MEHS Student Arts Project click the link below.
Support the MEHS Student Arts Project
Help support MEHS students’ cultural, artistic, and emotional wellbeing by shopping the MEHS Student Arts Project Wishlist. Click the link below to get started.
Shop the MEHS Student Arts Project Wishlist
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