 The team of SAVE High School and
Wilder Construction has been making real
differences in our community for five years
now. The partnership began when Robert
Adkins, a science teacher at SAVE, needed
sponsors for the school’s award winning
Arctic Survival program, and William
Hopper of Wilder Construction jumped at
the chance to help.
SAVE, or Specialized Academic
Vocational Education, is an alternative
high school for at-risk youth. The program
offers vocational experience in addition
to traditional academics, and provides
meaningful activities and on-the-job training.
Many of SAVE’s students live independently,
work full time jobs, and have faced
significant challenges in their lives.
SAVE’s Arctic Survival program is a
three month specialized science class for
approximately 50 students. The culminating
project for this class is a field trip unlike
any other in the district: twelve students
are selected to travel to the Alaskan wilderness
to spend the night in a snow
cave that they construct themselves. The
students travel by snowmachine to a place
without roads and modern amenities, and
must work cooperatively in order to survive
the night. Critical thinking, problem solving,
and teamwork are essential. Wilder
Construction is the main sponsor of this
class and provides funding for gear, and
supplies necessary for the excursion. The
effect on students is profound. Emmanuel
Contreres said, “If I can stay the night in
a snow cave and survive in an arctic situation,
I sure as heck can do my schoolwork
and graduate.” Amanda Coleman,
a senior, said, “I have a newfound ambition
to finish the things I begin and to see
them all the way through. I now know
I can and will graduate.” Amanda was
right; she graduated a few months ago!
Cora Kendrick said, “The Arctic Survival
experience gave me many things that I will
carry with me for the rest of my life such
as friendships, discipline, work ethic and
motivation to achieve my dreams. I have
seen the impact of it in my home life and
at work and school.” Students obviously
return from this experience with a new
sense of confidence and determination!
To help SAVE students learn how to be
productive citizens, Wilder Construction
funds scholarships to Close-Up, a civic
leadership training in Washington DC.
Mr. Hopper also purchased two tables at
the Rotary Pillars of Learning Luncheon,
enabling 18 SAVE students to attend this
important community event. |
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Mr. Hopper has been generous with
both time and monetary contributions
throughout his years of involvement with
the Anchorage School District. Wilder
Construction funds an incentive program
to improve tardiness and attendance at
SAVE, sponsors various sports teams and
bands districtwide, and even contributed
funds for the new turf at Dimond High. Mr.
Hopper has served on principal selection
committees, chaperoned dances, volunteered
with the Read to Me program at
Government Hill Elementary, and is always
willing to attend special school functions.
The partnership between SAVE and
Wilder impacts our entire community.
Students who doubted their ability to
graduate instead receive diplomas, and
many move on to continuing education
programs. They become part of a program
and experience life outside their small
neighborhoods. Soon they realize that high
school graduation is indeed possible.
Mr. Hopper’s belief in SAVE High school
has changed many lives. He will be dearly
missed when he retires in June!
Mr. William Hopper of Wilder Construction and SAVE
High School student Brandy Orton |
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