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June 4, 2012

READERS’ FORUM: June 5, 2012

The Tribune-Star

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

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