Small communities mean a place to come home to

Jane (Bonn) Ash, lifetime educator with the Lake Holcombe School District, spoke at the Excellence in Education Banquet, on her life and the support she knew she could count on from the community. Ash encouraged students to go far, but remember what made them the people they are. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

Every senior probably thinks the same things – dream big, go far and never look back. While it’s great to dream and to go far, Jane (Bonn) Ash wants kids to look back at what made them who they are today.

Ash was the special speaker at the 26th annual Excellence in Education Banquet May 4, honoring select Cornell and Lake Holcombe students, and the educators who made an impact in their lives. During her speech, Ash said teachers, parents and friends, all make up an individual’s experiences, good and bad, and it’s something that should be remembered.

“All of that is a part of you,” she said.

Growing up in Holcombe, Ash attended a one-room schoolhouse for first through fifth grade, as one of seven students in the first grade. In her formative years, Ash was amazed at how one teacher managed a whole group.

“This was my first exposure of how a small school can be so beneficial to young and old alike,” she said. “As I started my journey through the education system, I watched and was inspired by so many amazing teachers along the way.”

Possibly the most inspiring, was Ash’s sixth-grade teacher, who made learning a lot of fun.

“And I knew then for sure, that this is what I wanted to do,” said Ash.

Ash said even though Lake Holcombe School was small, there were so many exceptional opportunities available to her and she was able to take part in just about any extracurricular activity she wanted, with unlimited academic options.

“Many think a small school is limited to what they can offer their students and this simply isn’t the case,” she said, adding that even when her advanced classes got hard, her teachers and parents encouraged her to keep trying. “I worked hard for what I wanted and I never gave up.”

After she graduated from Lake Holcombe School, she received an elementary education degree from Mount Senario College in Ladysmith. She then went on to get her 316 reading license from UW-Eau Claire, when a job opportunity to teach Title 1 at her alma mater arose and required the licensing.

Once she was back in her old stomping grounds, Ash discovered it was even better teaching in a small school, than growing up in one, as you develop a connection with the students and their families.

Along with her fellow educators, Ash put everything she had into making the students’ educational experience the best it can be.

“Those students are now your kids,” she said.

Eventually, Ash retired after teaching 36 years at Lake Holcombe School, but she just couldn’t stay away, when substitutes were needed, which led to a half-time position that she continues in today.

This year, she and her husband, Ken, will celebrate 40 years of marriage, after raising two children and enjoying their two grandchildren.

Ash says she wants kids from small districts to understand that they mean a lot to everyone in their community and that the people in their hometowns have their backs, through the good times and the bad.

“In a small community, everyone is family,” said Ash. “When you come from a small school and a small community, you always belong. You always have a place to come home to.”

Possibly the most inspiring, was Ash’s sixth-grade teacher, who made learning a lot of fun.

“And I knew then for sure, that this is what I wanted to do,” said Ash.

Ash said even though Lake Holcombe School was small, there were so many exceptional opportunities available to her and she was able to take part in just about any extracurricular activity she wanted, with unlimited academic options.

“Many think a small school is limited to what they can offer their students and this simply isn’t the case,” she said, adding that even when her advanced classes got hard, her teachers and parents encouraged her to keep trying. “I worked hard for what I wanted and I never gave up.”

[caption id="attachment_144711" align="alignnone" width="300"] Celebrated for their success in not only school, but life, select Cornell and Lake Holcombe students were recognized at the 26th annual Excellence in Education Banquet May 4, at the Lake Holcombe Town Hall, along with their chosen educators who made an impact in their life. Recipients, left to right, in front, are students Brendan Mercer, Aleah Hughes, Elijah Turany, Carter Dixon, Megan Luethi and Graci Willmarth. In back, are honored educator Lynda Lacina; educators Caroline Hickethier, Danielle Mihalski, Andrea Hakes, Thea Hempel, Becky Omtvedt and Jeff Milas; and honored educator Shaylae Szotkowski. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]