Editor, Times-Union: This letter goes out to Donna Brett. She recently wrote a letter regarding Heather Endicott.
I am Heather's aunt and I'm speaking on behalf of the Stambaugh family. We all want to thank you for your thoughts and prayers at our difficult time. It's people like you that make this world a better place. You didn't even know Heather or her family, but you spoke out anyway.
Heather was loved by many and she will be missed. We have found some peace in knowing she was found after all this time, but we still have a lot of unanswered questions. We have put our faith and trust in the Lord and we know that with His help, our questions will be answered and He will help us get through this difficult time.
Whoever is responsible for this will go before a judge to be sentenced, but they will go before the one and only judge to determine their eternal life.
Again, thank you on behalf of the Stambaugh family for your kind words and loving heart.
Audrey Stambaugh Warsaw
EdCom
Editor, Times-Union: WOW! Something spectacular happened in Warsaw on Saturday, March 16. EdCom EXPO 2002 brought the entire community together to celebrate the hard work, dedication and love of learning of your students, faculty, sponsors and parents. As an out of town visitor, I was excited and impressed by what I saw.
I specifically noted that EdCom's projects and presentations require teamwork, organization, risk-taking and the ability to deal with success and frustration. These are extremely valuable skills that will benefit your students in any career they pursue.
I was amazed to see kids in kindergarten eagerly and confidently standing tall and presenting their work. Involvement of students with diverse interests and abilities was a highlight.
To the students: Congratulations on your successful presentations. I was WOWed by all you. Keep up the good work.
To the parents and community at large: Take note? You have something very special going on in your school system. Nurture it.
To businesses in your community: I observed students at all grade levels presenting their projects with more enthusiasm and fewer "ums," hesitation or fidgeting than I see in my co-workers. These are your future employees.
To the teachers and sponsors: The results of your dedication and long hours reverberated in the auditorium as hundreds of kids cheered with excitement. Thanks.
I applaud Nancy and Dick Rooker and your superintendent of schools. They are visionaries in your community.
I encourage all of you to get involved in this unique celebration for next year.
See you at Edcom 2003! Dr. Gretchen Rooker Sunnyvale, Calif. via e-mail
Wolf Lake Alumni
Editor, Times-Union: An open letter to the former students of Wolf Lake High School.
Soon you will be receiving your invitation to this year's alumni banquet. I would encourage you to make your reservation and return it with your payment for the meal. They do sell tickets at the door, however if you reserve your place ahead of time, the seating committee will have a better idea as to how many meals will need to be prepared.
I have written this letter to recommend that you attend this annual event. Sometimes it can be somewhat boring, although you wil probably hear some interesting facts about the school and community. The food is not all that great, although it has been much better in the recent past. What you will be missing is the atmosphere. The first banquet I attended was about 10 years ago when Ty Winebrenner's class was celebrating its 50th anniversary of graduation from the school. I was struck by the amount of pride and school spirit displayed by those graduates. I recall them as describing it not as one of the best schools around, but THE best school that ever was. Coach Al Myers was the guest speaker last year and he complimented the community on the fact that the home bleachers were always packed for the start of the JV basketball games, which he apparently found to be unusual. I think that this is a reflection of that school spirit and the fact that our parents remained in the area to raise their families and remained committed to the school. It amazes me that a school that ceased to exist over 30 years ago continues to generate this type of interest and participation among its graduates.
You will probably hear some disparaging remarks about our former rival Albion, and you will probably hear a joke or two about Indiana and Purdue basketball. You don't have to dress up. As a matter of fact, in recent years, the graduates have been encouraged to show their school spirit by wearing the school colors (black and gold), however I suspect that anything with a Purdue logo on it would be inappropriate. The point here is to wear whatever you're comfortable in. If you attend, you will experience something more like a family reunion and less like a school or class reunion. I look forward to seeing you sometime in April.
Bob Ott Wolf Lake High School, Class of 1970
Syracuse
Easter Message
Editor, Times-Union: The final week of Jesus' earthly life began with an ascent from
Jericho to Jerusalem, a weary road for his weary sandled feet - with a cross at the top. Then a donkey bore him through cheering people as he headed toward a victory to come several days hence, not for him, but for you and me.
At the cross let us sit down and look at Jesus with nails in his hands and feet, and the crown of thorns on his head. Filled with awe we behold the most moving scene in history. There the sinless Christ, son of God, is dying willingly for all and each of us given earthly life by God. The suffering of Jesus to his cry, "It is finished" on Good Friday meant God's war with man's evil had been fought and won in love for us who will believe.
Now comes Easter! When it seems the curtain dropped on the horror of disaster and defeat by Jesus' death, behold "Christ is risen." With that glad greeting comes the assurance that "We too shall rise." Our assurance of a blessed eternal life is bound up Christ's resurrection and his promise to those who will believe him as Savior, "the Way, the Truth and the Life" now and forever.
