Submitted by VHS Staff – This year’s Spring Alaska Association of Student Government (AASG) Conference was held in Sitka from April 24-26. Nine delegates from Valdez High School participated in the event co-hosted by Sitka High and Mt. Edgecumbe. During the conference, these delegates participated in discussion and debate on current events, voted on resolutions for local and state issues, and participated in community building and enrichment activities around Sitka.
Thursday afternoon, they explored downtown Sitka before attending the opening ceremony. Romen Weber and Gray Odencrans introduced the Valdez delegation to raucous applause. After this, Karren Minalga presented to the entire conference on the value of listening to the opinions of others. The convention continued on Friday with much debating, voting, and cheering and supporting their region and others around the state. Much of the debate centered on school funding and impacts the lack of state funding were having around the state. They were also able to take a cruise around the waters of Sitka, visit the Fortress of the Bear, and the Alaska Raptor Center. Delegates also attended workshops on how to advocate for issues important to them, learn about cultural issues, or just explore parts of historical Sitka.
