Never stop learning or improving yourself
Celebrated for their success in not only school, but life, select Lake Holcombe and Cornell students were recognized at the 28th annual Excellence in Education Banquet April 17, 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 Cornell students Daniel Person, Allie Turany and Grace Harycki; and Lake Holcombe students Ella Hartzell, Danny Sinette and Coral Hill. In back, are Lake Holcombe honored educator Jeff Milas; educators Craig Braaten, Nicole Modl (who is also the Cornell honored educator) Steve Parker, Karla Velie, Andy Lorenzen and Morgan Milas. Photo by Ginna Young
By Ginna Young
For 28 years, the annual Excellence in Education banquet has been held to celebrate select students and honored educators, in the Lake Holcombe and Cornell school districts. This year, it took place April 17, at the Lake Holcombe Town Hall, with a meal served, followed by awards and gifts presented to students, as well as a $100 scholarship, sponsored by the Cornell Area Betterment Association.
The event also featured special speaker Kristine Hemenway, a 1988 graduate of Lake Holcombe. Hemenway attend-
(To the left) Sharing about her own life since graduation from Lake Holcombe, Kristine Hemenway told how her adventures led her back to the place that’s always been waiting for her – home. ed Trinity Bible College, in Ellendale, N.D., for a year, then, life took her on many adventures, such as working as a nanny in California, where she experienced an earthquake, the Oakland Hills fire and the Rodney King riots.
She returned to Wisconsin, in 1994, and attended Chippewa Valley Technical College, receiving a medical office specialist diploma. Hemenway worked for several years, as a medical transcriptionist for Marshfield Clinic and moved back to Holcombe, in 2008.
Since then, she has become an active member of her communities, working as the program director for the Lake Holcombe After-School program, serving as president of CABA, planning community events, working with the Cornell and Lake Holcombe Camaraderie Club, and recently taking over as the administrative secretary for the Cornell Police Department and the court clerk for the City of Cornell Municipal Court.
Although Hemenway is frequently found in the public eye, she freely admits, that if someone knew her at graduation, they’d never picture her speaking in front of a crowd.
“I was a very shy girl, with very low self-esteem,” she said, adding that she didn’t know what wanted she wanted to do with her life. “I love small town life and feel that I have finally found a place where I belong.”
She’s grown through the good and bad, while feeling she can accomplish amazing things and making a difference in her communities. Hemenway encouraged the students to never stop learning and improving, to be the best they can be.
“I encourage you to go and follow your dreams,” she said. “Do great things, live an amazing life, but through it all, always remember where you came from and where home really is. These communities, though small, will always be here for you to return to.”
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Sharing about her own life since graduation from Lake Holcombe, Kristine Hemenway told how her adventures led her back to the place that’s always been waiting for her – home. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]
