THE CLIPPER CONNECTION Sturgeon Bay Newsletter
Volume 2 Issue 2
STURGEON BAY HIGH SCHOOL Celebrating Academic Excellence: Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian BY KEITH NERBY, PRINCIPAL Sturgeon Bay High School is proud to announce the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2026, two students whose dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence truly represent the very best of our school. This year’s Valedictorian, Miya Nell, has earned the distinction of graduating with Highest Honors through consistent academic excellence and a genuine passion for learning. Miya’s achievements extend far beyond the classroom. She has been actively involved in a variety of school organizations, including Varsity Soccer, Hope Squad, Service Club, Math Team, Project 180, and many more. Whether tackling challenging coursework or contributing her talents to extracurricular activities, Miya has set a high standard for herself and for those around her. Joining Miya and being recognized with Highest Honors as the Salutatorian for the Class of 2026 is Sawyer Clarke. Sawyer’s academic success reflects years of hard work, curiosity,
and perseverance. In addition to excelling academically, Sawyer has been part of Mock Trial and Math team along with participating in mission trips through his church. He is consistently bringing energy, dedication, and thoughtful leadership to every endeavor. His ability to balance rigorous academics with meaningful involvement speaks to his strong character and work ethic. Together, Miya and Sawyer exemplify what it means to be a Clipper: driven, engaged, and committed to making the most of every opportunity. Their accomplishments are a source of pride not only for their families and teachers, but for our entire school community. Congratulations to Miya and Sawyer on this well-earned honor. The Clipper Community celebrates you and looks forward to all that lies ahead.
SBHS Winter Sports Show Growth as Season Heads Toward the Finish BY ASHLY RUIZ, HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM STUDENT The 2025-2026 winter season is still going strong at Sturgeon Bay High School, with athletes across winter sports and clubs highlighting the importance of teamwork, goals, and enjoying the game. The boys basketball team, coached by Zach Goblisch, has continued to grow throughout the season. Players have focused on overcoming challenges and improving both individually and as a team. Sam Fruzyna, a junior captain for varsity, reflected on the team’s development: “To see a team that was scared at first, to now doing things without thinking on the court is great. In some games, you will see the youth come out with turnovers.” The team has shown steady progress and increased confidence as the season has unfolded.
Under the new leadership of Coach Rachel Miller, the girls basketball team
has had an impressive season. The team has worked hard to reach its goals while building strong chemistry on and off the court. Junior Kadence Patza shared a notable accomplishment: “Regan Kasten is 2nd in the state for rebounds, and as a team we are close to winning more games than any of the other Sturgeon Bay Girls Varsity Basketball teams in the last decade.” According to SBHS Athletic Director Jonathan Dupuis, one more win would tie the program’s highest win total in the past 10 years.
Coached by Stephen Jacobson, the wrestling team has experienced one of its most successful seasons to date. The team placed second in the Packerland Conference and won its first-ever home tournament at SBHS. Wrestlers also brought home two additional tournament trophies. Coach Jacobson expresses that the winter season can be challenging due to cold weather, illness, and injuries, but the team has remained resilient. Senior Tiani LeMieux reflected on her season, “I enjoy the way this sport turns teams into family.” The bowling club, coached by Chris Blish, showed steady improvement
Sturgeon Bay High School’s 2026 musical is Once Upon a Mattress by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer, showing April 23–26. This year’s production stars seniors Ashlynn Paulsen and June VanLieshout, along with freshman Milo Back. The musical is directed by Sophie Widman, with Jimmy Balistreri serving as a technical director. The choreographer is Owen Alabadao, and costumes are designed by Jordan Wallin-Swanson with Avery Burns as the choir/vocal music specialist. Burns describes Once Upon a Mattress as “a must-see comic retelling of the classic story The Princess and the Pea.” In the kingdom, no one may marry until Prince Dauntless (Back) finds a bride. However, Queen Aggravain (VanLieshout) creates impossible tests for each hopeful princess, causing them to fail time and again. When Princess Winnifred (Paulsen), a bold and unconventional royal from the swamp lands, arrives at the castle, she challenges the queen’s expectations. The princess captures the prince’s attention through her own defi-
INSIDE:
BY KEITH NERBY, PRINCIPAL On February 3, the Sturgeon Bay/Sevastopol wrestling program proudly hosted the first-ever Packerland Conference Girls Wrestling Championship. This historic event marked the first time in the 56-year history of the Packerland Conference that a conference championship was held specifically for girls wrestling. It represents a major step forward for the sport and a powerful moment for female wrestlers across the conference. A total of 19 girls from the Packerland Conference competed, each demonstrating grit, determination, and a commitment to a sport they helped build. Among those competitors were Tiani LeMieux, Anna Dalke and Izzy Andreae of the Sturgeon Bay/Sevastopol program, making this milestone especially meaningful for our community. Sturgeon Bay is incredibly proud of these athletes— not only for their performance on the mat, but for the courage and perseverance they show in paving the way for future wrestlers. To the athletes who competed, you set the stage for all those that will follow. For years, girls in the Packerland Conference and across Wisconsin have competed on boys’ rosters, earning respect one match at a time. On this night, you finally had a championship stage entirely your own. Eleven athletes were crowned Packerland Conference Champions, becoming the first names etched into the conference record books for girls wrestling. Their accomplishments will forever represent a turning point, one that reflects progress, opportunity, and pride for the Packerland Conference and the Sturgeon Bay community.
throughout the season. Returning bowlers and first-time players have made significant progress this season. Even though, unfortunately, the team had a down year, Coach Blish states, they were still able to keep this season going and won their last meet of the year. As well as Dominic Blish, who qualified for the state tournament and an All-Star team. Lastly, the ski and snowboarding club coached by Josh Van Lieshout was unable to compete this season due to a lack of interest in racing, according to June Van Lieshout, the ski manager. However, they have still been practicing and focusing on improving skills and confidence. Sophomore Garet Meleen shared, “We aren’t competing this year, but we have still managed to have a great time and get some turns in.” From the basketball court to the wrestling mat and the bowling lanes to the ski hills, Sturgeon Bay High School’s winter athletes have demonstrated growth and perseverance. As the season continues, their dedication and teamwork remain at the center of their success.
Once Upon a Mattress: SBHS’s retelling of the classic, “Princess and The Pea” BY ALEXANDRA MELLEN, HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM STUDENT
History on the Mat: Packerland Hosts Inaugural Girls Wrestling Championship
nition of being a “dainty and delicate” princess. Meanwhile, the rest of the kingdom works hard to make Princess Winnifred pass these tests, while also eagerly awaiting the outcome so they can finally wed. Back remarks that the musical is, “crazy, fast-paced, and hilarious” to add onto the comments made by VanLieshout, “... her personality is truly an overbearing ‘boy-mom’ who hates anyone who isn’t her or her son. She is very standoffish and rude, making many of the interactions between other characters hilarious.” “Because this is such a silly show, we don’t have to stick with strict confines of historical costuming…I want this world to be colorful and fun so that it works well against the pieces in the set.” Wallin-Swanson said. “For the mood of the costumes, I am hoping for things to be bright and playful.” Once Upon a Mattress is going to be presented as a whimsical piece with humor and strong characters. Performances will take place April 23 - 25 at 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on April 26. Sturgeon Bay High School invites the Door County community to attend this whimsical and entertaining production.
SUNRISE ELEMENTARY PAGE 2 SAWYER ELEMENTARY PAGE 3 TJ WALKER MIDDLE SCHOOL PAGE 4
The New Sturgeon Bay High School HOPE SQUAD BY NICOLE HERBST, TEACHER & CLUB ADVISOR HOPE SQUAD is a national peer-to-peer suicide prevention program that our school brought in through local grant funding. This student leadership group was nominated carefully by their peers, made up of students trusted to support and encourage others. HOPE SQUAD builds a positive and caring school culture by training members to notice when classmates may be struggling, offer support, and connect them with trusted adults when needed. Members also organize school-wide fun-themed activities every month, planned by student leaders, to promote self-care, kindness, and inclusion, while reducing the stigma around mental health. In December, Hope Squad participated in The Green Bandana Project by hosting a school lunch table and attending a boys varsity basketball game, where suicide prevention crisis cards and green bandanas were distributed to show support for mental health awareness. In January, during National Wellness Month, the theme “Success Starts with Self-Care” was promoted through lunch table handouts of stress balls with positive messages and mini journals. A special NATIONAL HOPE WEEK was highlighted February 9–13, the week before Valentine’s Day, and featured daily fun activities, handouts, and themed dressup days to remind students that they are loved and that everyone matters. Items such as positive stickers, Hope Clips, and heart messages were shared to encourage participation and connection. Through peer-to-peer connections and safe spaces for conversation, Hope Squad helps every student feel valued, connected, and supported.
Upcoming Calendar Dates GRADES 3-5: DOOR COMMUNITY AUDITORIUM FIELD TRIP MARCH 11TH 5TH GRADE LIVING WAX MUSEUM FRIDAY, MARCH 27TH, 8 AM - 10 AM 4K/5K SPRING CONCERT FRIDAY, MAY 15TH, 1:30 PM SUNRISE END OF YEAR SHOW AND TELL THURSDAY, MAY 21ST, 8:00 - 8:45 AM SUNRISE END OF YEAR TALENT SHOW THURSDAY, MAY 21ST, 9:00 - 10:30 AM