TERRE HAUTE —
Awesome work at West Vigo HS
Last year at the end of the 2010-2011 school year I was asked to split my time as an assistant principal between McLean and West Vigo High School. It was decided I would spend three days at McLean, where I currently had been working for the last 12 years, and two days a week at West Vigo High School.
I have always known about West Vigo High School and I knew some of the staff, but until I worked with the students and staff did I fully understand the significance of a small-school environment.
From the moment I stepped into the building I was welcomed and felt totally at ease. Since that first day I have been in awe of all the accomplishments this school has achieved. West Vigo may be small but its actions have demonstrated that school size does not matter.
This school year the boys soccer team won its first-ever sectional. What an achievement. I watched as the LINK crew assembled a dodge ball tournament to raise money for a family of three students who attended the high school. This dodge ball tournament was not only for students but for the whole community. I watched as families played as a team. Some of these family members no longer had students at the high school, they just wanted to help. This little high school is supported by a community with a big heart. The tournament raised over $3,000 for the family in one night.
I have also witnessed the desire to achieve in the classroom by the students at West Vigo. Currently, it offers nine Advanced Placement classes. These students are challenged by their teachers and the results are in their scores of the AP exams they must take at the end of the year. They have scored and continue to score above the state average in pass rate for the AP exams.
AP students are not the only students achieving success in the classroom. Every student is challenged in every classroom. These efforts by the staff can be observed by the success of students passing their End of Course Assessments in algebra, English and biology. These tests are required by the Department of Education, which determines if a student will receive their diploma at the end of their high school career.
West Vigo increased its ECA English 10 and algebra 10 pass rate for three years in a row. The teaching staff works extremely hard making sure standards are taught and the students’ needs are met.
So when you hear the quote, “It takes a village to raise a child,” it is true because I have witnessed this firsthand with the staff, students and community of West Vigo High School.
— Julie Lautenschlager
Assistant Principal
McLean/West Vigo High School
Wonderful help from good people
I am a 71-year-old lady with cancer who has been doing chemo three years. My husband is ill also and on oxygen 24 hours a day and unable to hardly do anything and tired of staying in the house 24-7.
Several people knew I was in the market of getting a wheelchair so he could go outside with his portable oxygen machine and enjoy the flower and rose garden and watch the birds with all the bird feeders we have. A few days ago we got a surprise visit at our front door, It was John and Mary Newman, the owners of Shadow Auction Barn. They had a gift to us from them — a new wheelchair (at no charge). Mary also gave me four new wigs, different shades and styles. These are some wonderful and generous people.
Being kind and generous is why their business is so successful for all these years. I have thanked them, but I am thanking them again by letting everyone who reads this know what good people they really are. There are a few good people out there and they are two of them.
— Carolyn Hill
Terre Haute
Clearing air a little more
Oh, Mr. Weddle, how you do carry on.
Of course, smoking isn’t “going away soon” — unfortunately, we don’t have to “guess” about that — we know. But we also know that, as time goes by, smokers’ “rights” to fill the air with death-causing carcinogens will be ever more restricted, that tobacco-related products will be increasingly expensive as tobacco companies continue their processes of diversification, that tobacco farmers will continue to grow, process, and supply much less tobacco and many more other products, and that ultimately, the end result will be a cleaner atmosphere conducive to the benefit of all — yes, even you, Mr. Weddle.
Mr. Weddle, regardless of what you “guess” I “lead you to believe” about my letter about “tobacco or the people who use it” (by the way, you “guessed” incorrectly on one count, and correctly on the other, I’ll let you figure out which), please know that, as we close this series of letters, I do sincerely wish you well. And perhaps one day in the future, we will meet in some far away field in which you can freely smoke, and, at the same time, I can freely “look out for your health.”
— Earle L. Harvey
Terre Haute
Reader poll results
Recently, the Reader Poll at Tribstar.com asked:
What is your reaction to President Obama’s statement that he supports same-sex marriage?
Results: 1,128 votes were cast
• The president is right — 564 votes, 50 percent
• The president is wrong — 516 votes, 45.74 percent
• Undecided — 48 votes, 4.26 percent
Letters
READERS’ FORUM: June 5, 2012
- Letters
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- READERS' FORUM: May 23, 2013
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READERS' FORUM: May 22, 2013
Rich history all along the river
Great work by Duke employees
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READERS’ FORUM: May 21, 2013
• Great response to annual golf outing
• Doing your part on climate change
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READERS' FORUM: May 20, 2013
The dangers of a little knowledge
Students enjoyed Rose study trip
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READERS' FORUM: May 19, 2013
• Flawed reasoning on gun checks
• A hint of things yet to come?
• Are the ‘makers’ doing the ‘taking’?
• The ‘Obamination’ is finally revealed
• Pondering effects of Obamacare
• Fantasizing on the ‘Apocalypse’
• Another view of Hinduism
• Great experience for HCMS students
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FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
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READERS' FORUM: May 17, 2013
Hinduism doesn’t deserve ridicule — Shefali Purohit, Terre Haute
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Readers' Forum: May 16, 2013
Moving Deming folks sounds ‘nuts’
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Readers' Forum: May 15, 2013
Participants rise to the challenge: I would like to write a letter congratulating all the Wabash Valley Roadrunners that competed in the One America Indianapolis Mini Marathon.
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READERS' FORUM: May 14, 2013
ISTEP failure exposes flaws
Community hasn’t changed its spirit
Egregious threat to nation’s defense
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READERS' FORUM: May 13, 2013
• Women’s group criticizes Bucshon
• Let’s hope this doesn’t come true
• Many get thanks for fest success
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READERS' FORUM: May 12, 2013
Vigo Youth Football, entering 45th year, seeks new support
Media ignoring important case on abortions
Proud to be old-fashioned
Guns in school? What’s next?
Promoting hate not a ‘brave’ act
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FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
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Readers’ Forum: May 11, 2013
I just wanted to express my disappointment at the lack of response shown by President Obama after the Boston Marathon bombings.
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Readers' Forum: May 10, 2013
CANDLES event plants new seed: On April 26, CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center hosted an event called “Sowing Seeds of Peace: A Celebration of Spring” at the Apple House. Our purpose was to introduce people to our concept of forgiveness as a seed for peace.
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READERS’ FORUM: May 6, 2013
• Money drives our newfound ‘needs’
• Guns not the only dangerous objects
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Readers’ Forum; May 5, 2013
Thankful for Pyle museum: I was happy to see the announcement of the Ernie Pyle Museum’s summer season opening, and I was reminded of how fortunate we all are to have such a museum close by.
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FLASHPOINT: Lessons from the legacy media — get it right, first
Enough mistakes and maybe we’ll learn: When in doubt, leave it out.
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FLASHPOINT: Hoosiers got steady hand in recent session
As the General Assembly began its work last November, as Speaker of the House, I pledged a renewed spirit of bipartisanship with legislators working together to solve our state’s most pressing challenges. As this year’s legislative session concludes, representatives from throughout the state — Republican and Democrat — have joined together to address those issues at the forefront of Hoosier minds: maintaining our state’s fiscal integrity, spurring job creation and expanding education opportunities for every Hoosier family.
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READERS' FORUM: May 3, 2013
Deep gratitude during tragic time
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READERS’ FORUM: May 2, 2013
• Terre Haute takes care of their own
• Postal contract causes concern
• Food price rise not appreciated
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READERS' FORUM: May 1, 2013
Great support for Clay Habitat
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READERS’ FORUM: April 30, 2013
• Gujarat attack was provoked
• Proud honor for THN student
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READERS’ FORUM: April 29, 2013
• Avoid language of extremism
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Readers' Forum: April 28, 2013
Another debacle for landowners: The integrity of our city and county officials continues to erode with an Issue that has come up on the east side of the city behind the Sycamore Terrace apartments.
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FLASHPOINT: Time has arrived for overhaul of TV news
Former FCC Chairman Alfred Sikes gave an address in 1992 in which he claimed television news was too superficial and too focused on visuals.
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Readers’ Forum: April 25, 2013
• Common Core: A simple choice
• Club again launches St. Ann’s fundraiser
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READERS’ FORUM: April 24, 2013
• Good service was noticed
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READERS’ FORUM: April 23, 2013
• Another great season at THN
• We’ve discarded our own privacy
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READERS’ FORUM: April 22, 2013
Chickens should not be banned from residences
A challenge to Islamist dogma
- More Letters Headlines




