A. Applicant is OSD Employee: Yes
B. Narrative does not exceed 2-3 pages: Yes
C. Application includes budget: Yes
D. Request discussed with OSD departments: Athletics
E. Application has all required signatures: Yes
Project Narrative
The Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD) High School Esports Team has qualified for the Tiger Gaming League National Competition hosted by Rochester Institute of Technology / National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, New York, from April 30 to May 3, 2026.
This project supports two OSD coaches, Mahon Kelly and Kelsey Gilstrap, in accompanying and supervising four student competitors during travel to and from the national competition. While RIT/NTID is generously covering airfare, lodging, and meals during the competition, travel-day meals are not included.
Due to Oregon’s current out-of-state travel restrictions for state employees, this request seeks support from the Friends of Oregon School for the Deaf (FOSD) to cover essential meal costs during travel days only. This ensures that coaches can safely supervise students throughout the duration of travel while supporting student participation in a national-level academic competition—an opportunity that aligns with OSD’s goals of student achievement, career readiness, and access to national Deaf-centered experiences.
Project Purpose, Goals, and Objectives
Purpose: To ensure safe, supported student participation in a national esports competition by covering essential travel-day meal costs for supervising coaches.
Goals: Support student access to national-level academic and extracurricular opportunities. Ensure continuous adult supervision and student safety during travel. Promote college and career exposure through participation at a Deaf-centered institution.
Objectives: Successfully transport four OSD students to and from the national competition with full supervision. Maintain compliance with state travel restrictions while minimizing financial burden on staff. Provide students with meaningful exposure to postsecondary opportunities at RIT/NTID.
Best Practices Alignment: Research supports that participation in extracurricular activities such as esports improves student engagement, teamwork, communication skills, and college/career readiness. Additionally, Deaf students benefit significantly from exposure to Deaf-centered postsecondary environments, reinforcing identity, belonging, and future educational pathways.
Project Benefits
This project directly benefits four OSD high school students who qualified for a national esports competition, as well as indirectly benefiting the broader OSD community through increased visibility and school pride.
Student Benefits Include: participation in a national-level academic competition; exposure to National Technical Institute for the Deaf as a postsecondary option; development of teamwork, strategic thinking, and communication skills; and increased confidence and representation of OSD on a national stage
Additionally, this project ensures that students are safely supervised throughout travel, which is essential for participation.
Project Evaluation
The success of this project will be evaluated through:
Completion of travel and participation in the national competition
Student participation and engagement during the event
Post-event reflections from students and coaches regarding the experience
Documentation of outcomes, including photos and a summary of student experiences
A brief report will be shared with FOSD highlighting student experiences, competition participation, and overall impact.
Proposed Budget
Itemized Budget:
Breakfast (average): $22
Lunch (average): $24
Total per coach per day: $46
Calculation: $46 × 2 coaches × 2 travel days (April 30 & May 3) = $184 total requested
Notes: This is an estimated cost based on GSA per diem averages across Portland, Chicago, and Rochester.
Coaches will submit itemized receipts for reimbursement for breakfast and lunch on travel days only.
Other Funding Sources:Rochester Institute of Technology / National Technical Institute for the Deaf are covering all major expenses, including airfare, lodging, and meals during the competition.
No additional funding sources are being requested due to state travel restrictions.
Project Timeline
April 30, 2026: Travel from Portland to Rochester (meals needed: breakfast and lunch)
May 1–2, 2026: Competition (meals provided by RIT/NTID)
May 3, 2026: Travel from Rochester to Portland and student supervision until parent pickup (meals needed: breakfast and lunch)
Funding Need: FOSD funds are needed specifically for April 30 and May 3, 2026
Total requested: $184
Project Reporting and Accountability
Kelsey Gilstrap, Outreach Specialist at OSD, will be responsible for submitting the final report to FOSD within sixty (60) days following project completion.
Kelsey Gilstrap and Mahon Kelly will be accountable for:
Ensuring appropriate use of funds
Collecting and submitting itemized receipts
Documenting student participation and outcomes
The final report will include a summary of the experience, student impact, and supporting documentation.
Documents
