Out Of The Wild: An Alaskan's Adventure To Find America

My name is John. I was born and raised in Alaska. I have been hearing how the American Dream is no longer possible for my generation; how the pursuit of a college education will leave my peers and me in crippling debt; and America is no longer the beacon of hope it once was. Too many of my generation believe what they are hearing. I am not going to surrender to such news.

I believe what made America great in the past can make it great again. I know many small business owners that are living their American Dream right now. I have heard these people talk about their dreams. They work harder than anyone I know every minute of every day. These are dreamers that act on their dreams. I want to chase my dream in the same way. My personal motto is, “Risk much, forgive much, and gain much”. I want to pursue a career in film. I want to chase my dream too.

I need to see more of this country to better understand my homeland. I want to meet the people who make this country work. Upon graduation from high school I am riding my bicycle 6,000 miles from Kodiak, Alaska to Key West, Florida to find my America. I am not going on this tour just to ride my bike. My plan is to document the people I meet that have put their dreams to work. I will interview them in their environment and interview the people they serve.

Using my bicycle, a tent, and a camera I will tell this story in a documentary I call “Finding My America”. I will begin in my hometown of Kodiak, Alaska on May 22, 2012. I am partnering with small businesses that will sponsor this trip. I am working with many Subway restaurant owners who are sponsoring me in exchange for a commercial I will make and post on the Internet.

When my trip is complete, I want to share what I learn with everyone. Look for the finished documentary in the late fall of 2012. The blog will serve as a behind the scenes update to chronicle my grand adventure. I am accepting financial support from anyone interested in inspiring my generation to embrace the hard work of bringing America back to a new era of greatness. I hope to tell the stories of the real American dream. I hope to raise enough money to pay for college without student loans. Help me tell this American story. Together we can be the difference.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Boarding the Ferry

I am posting videos taken by people who saw John off this morning.  He will be out of contact for most of this day.   A friend




7 comments:

dorretha said...

Props to you for dreaming large. Keep doing it and you'll go even farther than that 6,000 miles. Have fun and stay safe.

Soon-to-be FS graduate,
dorretha b.

Anonymous said...

Good luck! This is a big journey and you have a lot of people behind you and supporting you! Don't quit. Never give up! Fight until the end! I hope to see you succeed. -Fellow Full Sail Student

Anonymous said...

Good luck, John! Full Sail wishes you well! You made it on the front page of the student Propeller site today!

Be safe!

Carina

J. Walsh said...

It's just the beginning of many journeys. Best wishes and congratulations.
John P. Walsh
Assoc. Course Director, History of Motion Picture Arts, Full Sail University

Brandon White said...

Amazing courage John! I spoke at the Alaska CTSO conference in Anchorage a couple months ago and one of the students who attended told me about your endeavor. God bless man, and rid e on!

Caroline Sparks said...

Hey John. Good Luck! I admire your courage. Stop in Delray Beach, FL and say hey! I'm at Full Sail for Digital Cinematography (Online). I read the article on my portal and thought I'd wish you luck.
-Caroline Sparks

kodiakbiker said...

Thanks to all of you who are giving me encouragement. I am in Homer, Alaska right now. I cannot wait to get to Full Sail and see what I can learn there. YOu are all so positive! Thanks.