Be honest and set yourself up for success

Sponsored by area businesses, the Cornell Area Betterment Association and the Cornell-Lake Holcombe 21st Century Learning Centers, the annual Excellence in Education recognition night paid tribute to outstanding students and educators within the Cornell and Lake Holcombe school districts. Each student and educator received a meal, personalized gifts and framed photo, while students were given a $200 scholarship and a certificate of accomplishment. Honorees of the night, left to right, were honored Lake Holcombe educator Tom Hayden and his presenter Pat Talbot; honored Lake Holcombe student Kaitlyn Heinzen and her chosen educator Jeff Milas; chosen educator Thea Hempel and honored Lake Holcombe student Tate Sauerwein; honored Lake Holcombe student Allison Golat-Hattamer and her chosen educator Beth Meddaugh; honored Cornell student Izzy Clark and her chosen educator Marcus Leland; honored Cornell student Jocelyn Tirrel and her chosen educator Laurie Bowe; chosen educator Nicole Modl and honored Cornell student Alyssa Helland; and honored Cornell educator Shannon Thon and her presenter Erica Ruf. Photo by Kathy Goetz Photography

By Ginna Young

For a quarter of a century, the annual Excellence in Education Banquet has paid tribute to six senior students from the Cornell and Lake Holcombe school districts – whether for academic achievement or for overcoming an obstacle in their lives. Two educators are also chosen by staff, for their service to the school districts.

This year, the event was held at the Mill Yard Park pavilion in Cornell, with students, their selected educators, parents and friends.

As the special speaker of the 25th annual event May 17, 2010 Cornell High School graduate Amanda (Smith) Gudis talked about her time growing up in a town with less than 2,000 people.

“As some of you may know, living in a small town can have many advantages, but it can also have some disadvan- tages,” she said.

For the most part, Gudis says she enjoyed her time in the small town school, but did have a difficult time emotionally, as a certain group picked on her in formative years. Because her parents had more rules than other girls’ parents, Gudis faced ridicule when she couldn’t “just do whatever she wanted.”

Gudis remembers wanting to hide from the world and battling depression.

“Some days, it’s hard for me to say this, but going through these miserable times of my school years, helped me to be the person I am today,” said Gudis.

Once she hit high school, the drama settled somewhat, but Gudis was hit by negativity from her upper classmen. She was heavily involved in sports, loved her teachers, was on the honor roll and also held down a job at a local business.

Despite her many activities, at times, she found it hard to rely on classmates for advice and guidance, instead, turning to her parents and teachers. Of course, fellow teenagers viewed that as a little weird that she looked to adults, instead of her peers.

“But, let me tell you, it was one of the best things I ever did,” said Gudis. “Those individuals pushed me to my limits and beyond, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the boost that they gave me.”

Like so many who finish high school, once Gudis had the diploma in her hand, she wanted to see what world had to offer. She admits, she was one of the graduates who stated she was never coming back to her home town, but realizes today, that reaction was based on bad experiences.

Gudis said even though times can be bad, there are great experiences to be had, and asked the students present to take in the moment and remember who supported them. No matter who it is who is in their corner, Gudis said the youth need to realize that person(s) will be there to help them up through the bad times and celebrate in the good times.

After high school, Gudis went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in family life education from UW-Stevens Point. She now works as an administrative assistant for the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, in her “dream job.”

She returned to Cornell, after marrying the love of her life, Cole, and the couple is raising their young son, Grayson, with a baby due later this year.

Gudis encouraged students to have ambition and set themselves up to be successful, as well as putting an emphasis on truth. She said that by portraying honesty, an individual can have a clean conscience and sleep at night.

With that honesty, comes being true to oneself.

“If you’re trying to act like someone else or be what someone else wants you to be, you are technically lying about the person you are and not being the real genuine you,” said Gudis.

Gudis said students need to be proud of their small town roots, as the place they came from gave them the resources they need to go into the world. She also said not to rule out all possibilities.

“Just remember, I was one of those seniors who said I was never coming back to Cornell.”

[caption id="attachment_257732" align="alignnone" width="300"] Amanda (Smith) Gudis returned to her old stomping grounds, as this year’s guest speaker at the 25th annual Excellence in Education Banquet May 17. Gudis was especially excited to appear at the event, as her mother was the one who started the recognition night so many years before. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]