THE CLIPPER CONNECTION Sturgeon Bay Newsletter
Volume 2 Issue 3
STURGEON BAY HIGH SCHOOL This Spring, Clippers Chase Victories
Madison Voight
Heidi Kratcha
VIP Photography
Reen Walker
Sailing into the Future:
SBHS Graduation and Boat Parade WRITTEN BY MACKENZIE OLSON, HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM STUDENT Sturgeon Bay High School celebrated the Class of 2026 on May 30 with graduation and its unique boat parade tradition. Following the ceremony, graduates, families, and community members gathered along the waterfront as seniors boarded boats and made their way through the bay, creating lasting memories with classmates before beginning the next chapter of their lives. The boat parade, which began in 2021, has become one of SBHS’s most anticipated traditions. Principal Keith Nerby explained that organizing the event requires coordination with the Coast Guard, Police Department, and City of Sturgeon Bay to ensure a safe celebration. School staff is unaware of any other high school that hosts a boat parade
on graduation day, making it a one-of-a-kind tradition that reflects Sturgeon Bay’s strong connection to the water. Guidance Counselor Jennifer Ohandley reflected on the significance of graduation. “Graduation is an equalizing experience,” Ohandley said. “Everyone is celebrating their own accomplishments that are similar yet different. Some students are celebrating because they had to work really hard just to pass, and others are celebrating because they earned high honors... and everywhere in between…” Her comments highlight the many different paths students take to reach graduation, while emphasizing the shared sense of achievement felt by every student of the graduating class. The Class of 2026 concluded its high school journey with a memorable boat parade sendoff, celebrating its achievements, the end of the school year, and the opportunities that lie ahead.
School Community is Strengthened Through Positive Activities WRITTEN BY YARROW GOETTELMAN, HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM STUDENT Sturgeon Bay High School has hosted several positive activities throughout the year that have sparked students’ interest and creativity. Events such as boys' volleyball tournaments, rock-paper-scissors competitions, Spring Fling, and Clipper Nation have provided students with opportunities to take a break from academics and connect with classmates through fun and engaging activities. These events encourage students to get involved in school life while also promoting physical activity, teamwork, and creativity. Although students may not be sitting in classrooms during these events, they are still learning important life skills. These opportunities help students become more actively involved in the school community while creating a welcoming and positive atmosphere throughout the building. Many students feel that school spirit has grown stronger because of the encouragement and excitement these activities bring. They also help students build stronger relationships with teachers and classmates from different grade levels, creating a more connected school environment. Clipper Nation is a program dedicated to recognizing students for their growth, accomplishments, leadership, and kindness. Organized by the Building Leadership Team, Clipper Nation encourages students to strive to be their personal and academic best. Every week, teachers nominate students who demonstrate improvement, consistency, compassion, or a willingness to help others. Selected students are recognized publicly and receive coupons donated by local businesses. Band teacher Heidi Hintz, one of the organizers of Clipper Nation, explained that she hopes the program “is encouraging or uplifting or simply makes you think about being the best version of yourself.” Through positive recognition, Clipper Nation helps students feel valued and appreciated within the school community. Freshman Brynn Jacobs and senior Julian Langer both shared that Clipper Nation and other school activities have helped create a welcoming and supportive environment at SBHS. Jacobs explained that being recognized by teachers for hard work and kindness helped her feel encouraged during her
INSIDE:
transition into high school. Langer reflected on how the activities helped him become more comfortable being himself throughout his four years at SBHS. Both students said their favorite events brought students together through friendly competition and teamwork, helping them build stronger relationships with classmates and step outside of their comfort zones. From rock-paper-scissors competitions to Clipper Time games and sports activities, both students agreed that Junior Ben Ash participated in the school’s volleyball tournament for both the competition and the fun experience with friends and classmates. “We kinda just winged it,” Ash said when describing his team’s strategy. Despite their relaxed approach, his team advanced all the way to the championship match against the teachers. Although the students fell short in the final round, Ash said the tournament was exciting and memorable. He believes activities like the volleyball tournament should continue in the future because they help bring students together and build school spirit throughout the school community. Overall, the activities and programs at SBHS, including Clipper Nation, have made a meaningful impact on students and staff. These events help create a more connected and supportive environment while encouraging students to become involved in school life. By promoting school spirit, participation, and student achievement, these activities have helped make high school a more enjoyable and memorable experience for many students.
SUNRISE ELEMENTARY PAGE 2 SAWYER ELEMENTARY PAGE 3 TJ WALKER MIDDLE SCHOOL PAGE 4
WRITTEN BY BRITNI SOUKUP, HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM STUDENT Spring sports thrived at Sturgeon Bay High School as athletes chased wins and competed, improved, and represented SBHS. According to SBHS Athletic Director Jonathan Dupuis, athletics play an important role in strengthening the school and community. “They create a shared sense of identity,” Dupuis said. “When student body, fans, families, and the community rally behind our teams, it creates school pride and gives people something to rally around and look forward to.” Spring weather created a challenging start to the season and resulted in many cancellations and rescheduled matches, but the community still showed up to support SBHS athletics. The softball team continued to grow under head coach Hailey Benesh. Junior Kadence Patza reflects on the team’s progress, “I think the season has gone pretty well; there's definitely been some downsides to it and areas we could work together better and fix some things, but other than that, it's been pretty well overall.” Despite facing challenges along the way, the team showed steady improvement from the first game to the last. On the baseball diamond, head coach Neil Henrigillis praised his team’s work ethic and commitment to improvement. “The guys have really worked hard at getting better,” Henrigillis said. “They are willing to come in on their time and do extra work to improve. They say the right things and are moving in the right direction together.” With a young roster, the Clippers focused on building experience and developing for the future. Senior leaders helped guide younger players to create a foundation that will benefit the program in the years ahead. Track and field enjoyed a record-breaking season under first-year coach Zach Albers. Among the season’s highlights was junior Oliver Carmody breaking a school pole vault record that had stood for 59 years. “Breaking the pole vault record,” Carmody said when asked about his favorite moment of the season. The achievement carried special significance, as the previous record had been set by his grandfather. Carmody’s accomplishments were one of many successes for a team that saw athletes improve across a variety of events, from distance races to field events such as shot put, discus, and long jump. The girls soccer team also experienced a season of growth under first-year head coach Shane Olson. Team captain Miya Nell credited both the coaching staff and the development of younger players for the team's success. “I think the season has been pretty solid,” Nell said. “I think there’s been a huge improvement, especially with underclassmen, and the new coaching staff, I think the girls' soccer program has elevated.” The upperclassmen helped guide the young team to be successful. First-year head coach Michael Bryfczynski led the boys' golf team. Ben Ash, a golf athlete, notes, “The season has gone pretty well, VIP Photography constantly top 2 and 3 in conference meets.” Throughout the season, the team embraced challenges, and everyone pushed themselves to do their best. Junior captain Trygg Stuth, the only returning varsity player, helped lead a young team that embraced challenges and continued to improve.