teacher Tracy Swedlund also spoke during the groundbreaking
teacher Tracy Swedlund also spoke during the groundbreaking. Swedlund has earned state and national recognition for his teaching skills.
“We will soon have modern science, art, technology, education classrooms, as well as consumer education in several remodeled classrooms that will allow our students, to dive into hands-on learning like never before. Imagine our students conducting experiments and labs equipped with the latest tools in technology. Imagine our students exploring culinary arts, building, manufacturing engineering and automotive technology in stimulating, real world environments. Imagine our students building critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills that prepare students for tomorrow's challenges and careers. This renovation project isn't just an addition to our building, it's an investment opportunity and a launch pad for innovation. It's a place where curiosity is ignited, and young minds are empowered to dream bigger.” Swedlund said.
Student council president Aliyah Pilgrim also spoke, noting that while there will be inconveniences due to the construction project, in the end it will be worth it. “We know that with construction comes disruption this school year, it's also be different and lots will be changing, but in the end, you know, that'll all be worth it. And I truly believe that we can handle it, because we've already proven that we can, we've made it through the challenges of COVID together you've adapted and kept learning even when everything around us was uncertain,” she said.
“That same resilience, that same sense of community is exactly what's going to carry us through this transition. Yes, there'll be some temporary inconveniences. But when we look ahead and picture the new open classrooms and the improved facilities, we know that'll be worth it, every inconvenience, every change in schedule, and even less parking space is all a step towards our future,” she said.
Rep. Karen Hurd, who represents the Medford area in the state legislature and serves on the state’s joint finance committee, spoke of her longtime dream to become a teacher and even through her carrier in military and further education in biochemistry and public health, she eventually found her way into the classroom in the role of being a substitute teacher, a role she said she loved doing.
“I will do everything that I can in the state assembly and to help every single school in this state, Now all of you students I want to say this to you, knowledge is power, we look at all these superheroes and we watch these movies and we want to be one of those people, I will tell you how you become one of those people. It's through knowledge, the knowledge will bring understanding and understanding wisdom and you students, you are the future of Medford, of Taylor County, of the state of Wisconsin, and the United States of America, God bless each one of you,” Hurd said.
