Drama teacher, principal take on debt to save Scotland trip for Oakland students

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- A drama teacher and a principal at Skyline High School have come to the rescue of their students on the eve of a trip to perform in Scotland.

"We've had a roller coaster ride knowing and not knowing are we going to be on the plane or not," one Skyline High School student said.

Eight Skyline High School students rehearsed on the shoreline of Lake Merritt Friday. Tomorrow is the big day - they board a plane bound for London and then perform at the American High school Theater festival In Edinburgh Scotland.

RELATED: Oakland drama students get help fundraising from Golden State Warriors

Fundraising through the school year netted the drama students $42,000, but they are still $24,000 short. They may leave tomorrow but they will come home in debt.

"We have to raise $24,000 by September 15 to be interest free. After that they charge us 5 percent interest until it's paid," Skyline High School Drama Teacher Awele Makeba said.

She and the principal personally signed the repayment agreement.

Is that a frightening thought? "Oh my God, I go to bed thinking about this and I wake up thinking about this," Makeba said.

I'm not worried because students from Skyline, we work really, really hard," one student said.

And, the Golden State Warriors have pitched in. A game ball and a Stephen Curry jersey netted the students $2,200 during the playoffs. Now, the class will auction off four tickets to the October 17 game that they hope will take care of a large chunk of the debt. Neighbors are dropping off $20 here and there at the school.

The drama teacher behind the dream is willing to take the risk for these kids to go.

"I want it to open doors for them and be a gateway into their future, that the sky is the limit," Makeba said.

Click here to help the team reach their goal.

You can also send donations through the mail using this address:

Checks: Skyline High School

Memo Line: Drama

12250 Skyline Blvd.

Oakland, CA. 94610

You can also call 510-601-0178 for more information.