Monday night’s virtual meeting of the Ellsworth Community School District Board of Education highlighted a couple things.

Change is the new normal, and much of this area needs better internet service. With board members “fading in” and out of the meeting based on their connections and member Katie Feuerhelm “attending” the meeting from the comfort of her car.

“You had to drive up the

See ELLSWORTH SENIORS, Page 9 hill again I see,” said Superintendent Barry Cain, as board members waited for the meeting to begin.

And technology around these parts is going to have to change. Our country has moved into a virtual world.

No one knows that more than the Class of 2020 at area high schools. Ellsworth’s 119 graduating seniors sure know. Their graduation ceremony date will come and go with no big ceremony.

“Who knows, we could still do something in August,” Cain said.

A lot of planning is underway at Ellsworth and other area schools for this new normal.

What hasn’t changed, though, is Ellsworth’s commitment to celebrate success. Board members take a big chunk of their board meeting to get reports on great things happening in ECSD buildings.

On Monday night, they got to – virtually of course – visit top senior class award winners, who attended the online meetings from the comforts of their own home.

First up was the winner of the prestigious Herb Kohl Scholarship, Rachel Kaufer.

High school principal Mark Stoesz pointed out to the board that Rachel receives a $10,000 scholarship from the foundation started by the former United States Senator.

“This is a great honor. It’s an entire state award. To be selected for this is quite an honor,” he said.

He said Kaufer is just the fifth Ellsworth student in 24 years to earn the Kohl Scholarship.

The board then saluted the Class of 2020 valedictorian and salutatorian. Class valedictorian is GiGi Davis.

“She had such an outstanding body of work. She’s just a wonderful person. She was the class president and is one of the most positive people we have in our building,” said Stoesz.

She’s attending UW-Eau Claire in the fall to study biology and hopes to go on to medical school.

Salutatorian is Nick Erickson.

“Same thing…just a wonderful young man, outstanding school citizen,” said Stoesz. “They’re both great goal-setters and these honors are well-deserved.”

Erickson is attending UW-LaCrosse in microbiology and also hopes to go on the medical school.

Ellsworth also had a WIAA Scholar Athlete for only the fourth time in school history. Charlie Stuhl was a four-time Middle Border Conference Wrestling champion and finished second in his weight class in the state this year. Coupled with that, he’s an outstanding student. “Charlie has represented us well,” said Stoesz. “Charlie has done everything we’ve asked in our school. He’s a great leader.”

Holly Carlson was also a WIAA Scholar Athlete nominee and won a $1,000 Powerade Athlete Award scholarship.

“Holly also represented our school very well,” said Stoesz, noting that in local voting in school districts eligible to win the Powerade award, Carlson’s tally was an amazing third overall.

Avery O’Neil was also thanked for being the student representative to the school board.

“Avery has been a great representative for us. She’s done a wonderful job,” said Cain.

It’s clear that the Ellsworth High School Class of 2020 was extraordinary.

“It doesn’t get much easier than this, does it Mark?” commented Cain.

“It doesn’t. I love this class,” said Stoesz.

Honorees and families were then excused from the meeting.

“Thanks for representing Ellsworth so well,” board president Doug Peterson said.