For the third consecutive year, community supporters continue working to ensure that Wrangell students can afford to travel and compete at state championship events.

Community volunteers formed the Wrangell Athletic Club in late 2023 after the school board announced that budget constraints left the school district unable to fund student travel to state competitions. Since then, the nonprofit organization has shouldered the responsibility of raising money to reimburse the district for those expenses.

The financial burden fluctuates each school year based on team success and travel distances. Last year, the nonprofit received a $24,455 invoice for student travel incurred during the 2024–2025 school year, while the final travel expense tally for the 2025-2026 school year came to $16,368.

Chris Johnson, president of the Wrangell Athletic Club, said the past year has placed the organization on stable financial footing, thanks to substantial contributions from regional partners and foundations, including the Wrangell Cooperative Association, Sealaska and the Walker Foundation. First Bank also has been a big supporter.

He said last week that the fundraising group would soon send a check for the $16,368 to the school district.

Johnson said the group currently finds itself in a “positive cash flow” situation, but keeping up with multiple successful sports programs remains an ongoing endeavor.

“We have cross country going to state now, and then there will be wrestling — and they will probably send several to state. And then volleyball typically goes every year,” he explained. “And there’s the possibility that basketball could also go to state.”

The school district fronts the money for travel to state competition, presenting a bill to the nonprofit for reimbursement each year.

To prepare for future bills, the club is exploring creative fundraising avenues, including the upcoming sale of a 20-foot aluminum skiff. High school graduate Brody Knecht built the vessel as his senior shop project last year and donated it on completion.

The nonprofit intends to sell the skiff — either through a raffle or an outright private sale — to reimburse the school district for the construction materials and then direct the remaining profits into the club’s treasury for upcoming travel invoices.

“We haven’t fully decided how we’re going to handle it,” Johnson said.

He credited the generosity of area businesses and residents for keeping the fund solvent.

In addition to funding state travel, Johnson said the athletic club organizes an annual spring banquet to celebrate student accomplishments. The event honors the top male and female athletes of the year, alongside the Iron Wolf award, which coaches decide based on a combination of athletic dedication and academic performance.

 Donations can be sent to Wrangell Athletic Club, Box 248, Wrangell 99929.