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Ask the Superintendent -
April 30, 2008
It has often been said that “teachers touch
lives.” That phrase is often seen on posters,
pencils, coffee mugs, tee shirts, and countless
other items. I don’t doubt that fact for one minute
and having been an educator for 44 years, I truly
endorse the concept. What is often understated or
simply overlooked is how much our students inspire
and touch the lives of their teachers. Educators
only have our students for a limited time, yet they
still manage to leave imprints on our hearts.
This has been a particularly difficult school year
in that three of our “kids” were taken from us by
horrific diseases. Two were former graduates, but to
teachers even graduates are referred to as “their
kids” and one was still in High School. It will be a
year Thursday, when I sat with Erin Ortiz, her
parents, and High School Principal, Robert Litz, at
the Times Herald Record Scholar Athlete Breakfast at
Kuhls Highland House. Erin was being recognized as
the female scholar athlete from Goshen High School.
She was an outstanding young woman, a fierce
competitor, a gifted athlete, and a talented
student. She graduated with Honors in June 2007. She
came home from her college in Boston for a weekend
to visit with family and friends last fall became
ill and passed away within two days.
Josh Stamm was an inspiration to everyone he met. He
had a keen wit and a wonderful spirit of adventure.
I can still remember him “tearing” through the High
School halls in his wheel chair. One of my fondest
memories of Josh was his insistence that I really
needed four flashing emergency lights he was selling
as a fund raiser. I yielded to his salesmanship and
bought the four in 1995. To this day I still have
them in my vehicles. Josh, a 1998 graduate, passed
away on December 15, 2007.
On Saturday, April 19, we lost our third student
when Hannah Crossley passed away. She was embraced
by the Goshen community as she struggled with her
illness over the past several years. Until a few
short weeks ago, Hannah was in her classes,
participating in Mock Trial and attending the Spring
Musical to support her classmates. Her spirit and
courage were immeasurable.
It has truly been a very difficult year. Each of
these young people was taken too soon. Each was an
individual who had the ability to inspire others.
Each was a young person who touched many hearts and
who will always be remembered.
Roy Reese
Superintendent of Schools
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