Letter to the Editor: Pioneer Pride

Next June it will be 42 years since I graduated from Sevastopol High School. For 12 years before that day, the administration and faculty at Sevastopol instructed and guided me on a path which prepared me for the post-secondary educational and career opportunities I have pursued since. I have always been extremely grateful for that wonderful education they provided me and been proud to call Sevastopol one of my alma maters. Every morning and afternoon as I travel through Institute to and from my home to work in Sturgeon Bay I fondly recall that pride.

Well imagine my Pioneer Pride this week as I read about Sevastopol’s score on the Wisconsin DPI’s state report card: 90.6 out of a potential score of 100 and in the top 10 schools in the State of Wisconsin. What an unbelievable accomplishment!

Sevastopol’s success reminds me of the children’s story The Little Engine That Could. We’re not big and flashy but we get the job done and we do it well.

Congratulations to the administration, faculty and staff at Sevastopol. You have obviously created an environment and culture in which all the students are able to succeed and achieve their utmost potential. Your dedication and commitment to the entire student body is unmatched.

Congratulations to the parents who send their children off every morning to Sevastopol School. You all are doing something very right. Your children are excelling in student achievement, scores and growth based upon the WDPI’s testing. Once your children leave Sevastopol they will be ready to succeed in whatever they set out to achieve for the rest of their lives.

Finally, congratulations to the Sevastopol student body. You aced it! Keep studying hard. Keep listening to your parents and your teachers. Keep doing what is right. Know that once you graduate from SHS you will be prepared to take on the world. You will then be ready to join the ranks of us other proud Sevastopol alums.

Also congratulations to the other Door County school districts on your impressive scores on the WDPI’s score card. I truly believe we live a great community where our children and grandchildren can grow and thrive when we all work together.

D. Todd Ehlers

Baileys Harbor, Wis.