MY SENIORS WELCOMED ME WITH OPEN ARMS THIS YEAR.
Let me explain I was new to VSHS, my crew had been through two other advisors before me, I am sure they were disappointed they would have yet another advisor.
For me they were my warriors of information and keepers of VSHS trivia that kept me current, I couldn’t be happier for each of them, each unique, positive, helpful, and resourceful. I knew at Homecoming Time they felt a little misplaced as they created their posters for our community support businesses, they wrote their names out, however, their advisor’s name as DIA, referring to last name initials of each of their advisors; the “A” being mine.
My crew as stated were reliable, they were ready for their senior year, they were meant to be this Class of 2020 CORONA-COVID-19, they can handle matters that might stress others out, situations never tested before, they can master new situations and are individuals able to express themselves like no other class has had to do! I salute them, applaud them, and will miss them, Congratulations Lauren Upmeyer, Chelsee Tharp, Autumn Sauer, Katelyn O’Brien, Sam Moen, Lauren Hendryx, Payton Haefner, Franki Evans, Drew Elwick, Dallas Cottrell, and Spencer Cantrell.
Keep in Touch!
Ms. Albritton
While many VS staff have four years to get to know their students before you graduate, at West Campus we often have no more than two…sometimes even one year to understand your learning style and help you overcome any concerns that may have prevented you from excelling.
We believe that the family setting WC creates a tone of acceptance and academic expectations. Setting (and achieving) session goals has helped you understand the need to start with “baby steps” so you can later sprint for the finish line.
The same process will be used as you enter the workforce, the military, or college. Remember what you learned at VSCSD. Set small goals first, then gradually increase your personal expectations.
The end result will be a graduating class that society will see as achievers, despite all the hurdles life has thrown your way.
Your teachers, counselors, administrators…heck, the lunch staff, custodians, and your bus drivers are proud of you.
Mr. B and Miss Julie
To my senior advisees:
I have shared three years with you in your high school career and watched you grow and change over those years. This year has been anything but normal for all of us. I wish you the best in all of your adventures beyond high school as you journey through life. Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes!
Ms. Heeren
To the Class of 2020
Locked in the house
Mask on your face
Instruction on-line
Working more hours
Depression, anxiety, stress;
Can’t put that in a Tik-Tok video
So much lost
Trying to be grateful
Facetime, Skype, and Zoom
Just not the same
This isn’t what was promised
Making the best of it
Please know this:
Your teachers still love you
We believe in you
We are beyond proud of you
This community is behind you
Rooting for your success
Wishing things were different
Searching for how to show our love
Wanting you to know you are enough
Hoping you see yourself how we see you
Courageous, caring, gifted
You each have a light within
Let it shine and tend to it
Go for your dreams
Failure is going to happen
Be prepared to make adjustments
Go for your dreams again!
Be resilient, flexible, and fierce
Most of all, be you.
Ms. Hofer
We sure have had an “interesting” end to our 4 years together! Though it may not have included the events that we wanted, I know that each of you is headed for greatness! I hope that you find your passion and pursue it with everything you’ve got! Life is so much better when you do something that you love! Please know that we love to hear from our graduates and look forward to the day when we see you again! I can’t wait to see what you do in the future – it can only go up from here! I am proud to say that I know each of you and hope you find your happiness!
Congratulations and best wishes!
Mrs. Lash
Dear Advisees,
It sure has been a fast four years! I remember those first few days, when we played “Would You Rather” and other games to get to know each other. You were so quiet then! It didn’t take long for your personalities to come out, though.
I have bragged many a time on how my advisees were so bright, involved, and well-behaved. We could never contribute to a class float at parades because nearly every one of you were already on another float for one activity or another. When I run into one of you when I am out and about, it really brings a smile to my face. I look forward to continuing to see you as an adult member of our community. I am so sorry that your senior year did not end in the way we had all hoped and dreamed. We will all look back on 2020 as a year for the history books. Take care as you go out on your own and bless the rest of the world the way you have Vinton-Shellsburg.
Congratulations!
Mrs. Lough
Being a new teacher to the district I was in for a new experience. However, that experience became a little less stressful when I found out that I was going to be a senior advisor. The reason for that is when the seniors were 6th graders I was their long term substitute teacher for Language Arts.
Getting to know them the few months as 6th graders and now getting to be with them again as seniors was a very humbling and rewarding experience. I think they have proved here in the last few months that they are very resilient and able to accomplish many things. I want to wish them the best of luck in whatever they plan on doing after high school and they will always mean a little more to me being my first adviser group here at Vinton-Shellsburg. CONGRATULATIONS to each of you and the Class of 2020 on making it this far and know that you are capable of anything you want to do.
Mr. Robertson
To my advisors:
It was a learning curve for you when we first met those four years ago. Adjusting to a new building, a new set of rules, and a teacher that was supposed to guide you even though you had no idea about me.
We have adjusted to each other through these four years, fighting with each other and enjoying our time together. I called it family time because we did become a family forming bonds over the years. As each of you take your own path in life and I get a new group of students to guide, understand that each of you holds a place in my heart. Stretch your wings and explore the unknown. The world awaits you and you just need to grab it. I am proud of each one of you. I am excited to see how you change in the future years ahead.
Forever yours,
Mrs. Weber
You can find parent reflections on page 8 of the Spring 2020 edition of the Excel publication, or click here for the article “A Salute to our Class of 2020 Seniors.”