Save the Brave!!!

Recently there has been a lot of talk about combining the ANSEP program with Mount Edgecumbe High School to save the state money. I say it's a bunch of bull crap! I can see that both programs are great and provide students across the state with opportunities that will improve their future outlooks in life, but why combine them just to save money? 

I attended MEHS from 2001-2004 and graduated in the top 10% of my class. Prior to attending MEHS, I had absolutely no drive or interest in higher education. I absolutely hated school. If you were to ask me what I was going to be when I grew up when I was a 9^th grader, I would probably tell you that I didn’t care. I would tell you that I had no plans to go on to college. School had no value to me. It was dull and seemed more like a chore than anything else. 

This all changed when I made the decision to attend MEHS my 10^th grade year. All of the teachers were amazing. You could feel that they genuinely valued their students and took full responsibility for their teaching. MEHS gave me a new outlook in life. I met people from all over Alaska. If I were to stay in my hometown for high school, I would not have links across the state. I met some of my best friends at Mt. Edgecumbe and most of them are not from my region.

I am writing this letter in opposition to the proposal to make MEHS a three-year ANSEP program. I, myself, never excelled in science. In fact, science was my worst subject growing up. There are so many kids in rural Alaska who may not be interested in science and engineering, yet want the opportunity to attend the best school in the state. When we limit the enrollment to include only students who are scientifically and mathematically inclined, we turn away some of the greatest potential leaders in the state of Alaska.

You and I both know that the schooling system in rural Alaska is not up-to-par. Exceedingly low state test scores in rural areas back up this notion. Why then, would we want to cut off rural Alaskan students from the quality education that MEHS provides? I keep hearing, “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” You know what? That is exactly true. Why take away a school that provides results? Why not fix the educational system where it really needs fixing?

What I cannot believe is how the federal government can allocate $609 billion in military efforts and only $102 billion on education. I pay taxes and if I were given a choice on where to allocate my tax dollars, I would put 100% of my taxes to education. We are supposed to be providing our future leaders with the best possible educational opportunities, not cutting programs that bring positive future outlooks.

Have we forgotten our priorities? There is a reason why our students are not performing as well as children in other countries such as Japan and China. It’s because we don’t make them our top priority. We are spending far too much time worrying about war efforts and other foreign affairs. We spend so much money overseas, that we forget to spend money on our own children. How can we build up other countries when our own is falling apart? Our hard-earned tax dollars are being spent on weapons of mass destruction rather than our schooling system: when the latter should be our number one priority.

I had plans on sending my three children to MEHS because of the effect it had on my life. Mt. Edgecumbe not only gave me direction, but it gave me value. In my three years at Mount Edgecumbe, I learned hard work, dedication, determination, and independence. I learned that I was a smart and well-rounded individual. I began to dream about my future and made my dreams come true through the pursuit of higher education.

My children matter. They deserve the opportunity to attend MEHS the way it is now. They don’t need to be rushed by a three-year time constraint. They also don’t need to be limited to studying science and math. They have multiple intelligences that need nurturing. Maybe one of my children wants to be the President of the United States. Maybe another wants to teach and another wants to be a pilot. An ANSEP program is not going to prepare them for their future careers.

Missions:

Mount Edgecumbe High School

The central role of Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Alaskan education is to provide a broad range of academic and extra-curricular opportunities that are unavailable to students in isolated home schools and communities. 

Alaska Natives in Science and Engineering Program

ANSEP provides a continuous string of components beginning with students in sixth grade and continuing on through high school, into science and engineering undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Where do these two programs overlap? How can we expect all of our rural students to be potential “Albert Einsteins” and if they are not Einsteins does that mean they get stuck in their village? Please consider my letter when you make future decisions regarding MEHS. Our future generations depend on us to keep this great school going just the way it is today.