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THE CLIPPER CONNECTION

STURGEON BAY HIGH SCHOOL

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.

transition into high school.

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

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.

This

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, 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.

WRITTEN BY BRITNI SOUKUP, HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM STUDENT

Reen Walker

Madison Voight

VIP Photography

Heidi Kratcha

BY MIRANDA LARKIN, STEAM TEACHER

Full Steam Ahead: Sunrise 4th Graders Engineer Victory at National Railroad Museum at Sunrise Success STEAM Night

BY CHRISTEL RUDDY, 3RD GRADE TEACHER

Sunrise Elementary School’s 4th Annual STEAM Night was a huge success! Always popular, almost 300 people attended, in addition to all of our wonderful presenters. Students and families had the opportunity to get hands-on experiences in building airplanes, boats and hydraulic claws, flying drones, driving skid steers, and investigating pond life under microscopes. They worked with robots, performed surgery, and took part in mining, coding and felting. They learned about soil, suckers, electricity, mo-

tion sensors and NASA, played with green screen technology, and challenged themselves with Rubik’s cubes and other puzzles and games. It was a night to remember!

We want to thank TTX, DCMC, SBU, Yellowstone AI, the Maritime Museum, Crossroads, Gnome Games, and the many individual parents, staff and volunteers, who gave their time, energy, and talents to make our STEAM Night such a special event. We also want to thank our Parent Teacher Organization and Target for the wonderful snacks. You all really showed up, and we appreciate you.

A select group of Sunrise Elementary 4th graders traded their classroom desks for the historic tracks of the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay. Participating in a high-stakes STEAM retreat, these young innovators proved that they have the grit and the "gears" to compete with the best in the region. The Challenge: Science in Motion. Before picking up a roll of tape or a piece of cardboard, students had to master the physics of the rails. They rotated through learning stations focusing on:

Aerodynamics: How shape affects speed and wind resistance.

The Doppler Effect: Understanding the science behind that iconic "train whistle" sound.

Safety & Motion: Learning the importance of high-visibility colors and the laws of momentum.

The Build: Engineering Under Pressure. The true test began when teams were tasked with building their own trains out of cardboard. This wasn't just a craft project; it was a feat of engineering. Each train had to meet strict criteria:

Dimensions: Adhering to specific height

Watercolors & Wilderness: Sunrise Students Explore Big Creek

BY: JILLIAN LAURENT, OT & NATURE-BASED THERAPIST

Sunrise Elementary students recently traded classroom walls for the sights and sounds of nature during a special outing to Crossroads at Big Creek. Students spent the afternoon exploring the trails and connecting with the natural world around them.

After a long hike through the wooded trails, students gathered along the creek’s edge to quietly immerse themselves in the environment before beginning watercolor paintings inspired by the experience. The rushing water, cheerful bird songs, and vibrant spring flora provided endless inspiration as students observed the beauty of the season through both art and mindfulness.

The outing encouraged creativity, sensory exploration, and a deeper appreciation for nature while giving students the opportunity to slow down, observe, and express themselves in meaningful ways.

and length requirements.

Cargo Management: Ensuring cargo was placed in a precise location while remaining unbreakable and accessible.

The "Precious" Cargo: A water balloon had to be secured within the frame.

The high point of the day involved 16-pound bowling balls and a steep incline. To test durability, the staff sent the bowling balls hurtling toward the student-made trains. The goal? Survive the impact without popping the water balloon. Our students rose to the occasion with flying colors. Competing against several area schools, including Plymouth and Algoma, our teams showed incredible teamwork and critical thinking. We are thrilled to announce that out of our two participating teams, one Sunrise team took home 1st Place! Congratulations to all our student engineers for representing Sunrise Elementary with such creativity and spirit. It’s clear that when it comes to STEAM, our students are on the right track!

Playground Peer Mediators

BY: MANDY SCHOENEMAN,

COMMUNITY-BASED INSTRUCTION TA

Some of our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students are wearing special vests at recess. These students are our new Playground Peer Mediators!

Peer Mediators are students who volunteered and applied for this important role. They help classmates work through small disagreements during recess, like problems during games or taking turns on equipment. Their job is not to get anyone in trouble, but to help students talk things through and come up with a fair solution so everyone can get back to having fun.

Mediator schedules rotate throughout the year, giving several students the opportunity to participate. This is a new opportunity at Sunrise as we continue encouraging leadership, problem-solving, and kindness in our students!

Noetic Math

BY CHRISTEL RUDDY, 3RD GRADE TEACHER

Noetic Math is a math extension program that encourages students to think outside the box. They practice reading problems carefully and figuring out what steps to take in order to solve each one. They also practice patience and perseverance. Students love the feeling of satisfaction when they solve a difficult problem!

In the spring, over fifty 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders participated in the Noetic Learning Math Contest. Sixteen students won an Honorable Mention, and three students placed on the National Honor Roll!

Recognizing Success

BY MIRANDA LARKIN, STEAM TEACHER

Recognizing student growth and positive behavior is a huge part of our school community. To keep our recognition meaningful and consistent, here is a quick guide to our two primary student awards and what it takes for a student to earn them. These are two distinct awards. A student can be recognized as both a Shining Star and a Sawyer Way Leader. This system is designed to ensure that every single student has the opportunity to be recognized, as every child grows in their own unique way.

Shining Stars celebrates personal growth.The Shining Stars program focuses entirely on progress. This award isn't about perfection; it is about celebrating effort and improvement, no matter how big or small the step forward might be. Students who qualify for nomination

show steady behavioral or academic progress, working hard on a specific skill or routine, hitting their behavior goals, or simply participating more in class. The Shining Stars are announced monthly on our school video announcements. It’s important to remember that growth looks different for everyone, and every bit of progress counts.

The Sawyer Way Leaders program focuses strictly on behavior and leadership. These awards go to students who consistently model school expectations and set a positive example for their peers.Students who qualify are natural leaders whom other children look up to and follow, and students who consistently follow directions and schoolwide expectations. Sawyer Way Leaders are announced monthly at our PBIS Assemblies. It’s important to remember this recognition is purely behavior-focused, rather than academic-based.

Teamwork Drives Early Literacy Growth at Sawyer

BY: LANE HAGEN, INSTRUCTIONAL COACH

Sawyer Elementary School is celebrating continued success in early literacy achievement thanks to a collaborative, schoolwide effort focused on meeting the needs of every student.

At Sawyer Elementary, staff members across many roles work together daily to support literacy growth. This combined effort includes classroom teachers, teacher associates, interventionists, EL support staff, the school counselor, and the instructional coach. Together, the team has created systems and structures that provide targeted instruction designed to help all students succeed.

A major component of this work takes place during WIN time, which stands for “What I Need.” During WIN, students receive instruction at their current learning level, allowing staff to provide focused support and enrichment based on individual student needs. Staff members regularly monitor student progress and use data to flex instructional groups throughout the year, ensuring instruction continues to match student needs as they grow and learn.

This structure is implemented across

all grade levels, including 4K, ensuring students receive strong foundational literacy support beginning at an early age.

The school’s most recent literacy data reflects the positive impact of these efforts. In Spring 2025-2026, 81.7% of students at Sawyer Elementary scored at or above the district benchmark on the Early Literacy Screener. This marks an increase from 71.6% in Spring 2024-2025. Additionally, 79.1% of students demonstrated typical or better growth from Fall to Spring during the 2025-2026 school year, compared to 69.8%

during the previous school year.

These results represent a strong upward trend and indicate that more students are on track in their literacy development compared to previous years.

Sawyer Elementary staff credit this growth to the shared commitment of the entire school community. Through collaboration, responsive instruction, and a focus on providing students with exactly what they need to grow, the school continues to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and literacy success

Family Fun Night

BY: KRISTIN WACHSMUTH, 4K TEACHER

More than fifty students came back to school on the evening of April 30, and they brought their families with them! Parents, siblings and grandparents joined their Sawyer Elementary students for Sawyer’s annual Family Fun Night.

The sounds of joy and laughter--and a dash of competitive spirit--filled the school as families participated in a wide variety of activities. Using Bee Bots, students got to showcase the coding abilities that they learned during STEAM class. Another activity let

children and adults alike show their school pride by making Sawyer beaded bracelets! Gnome Games participated in this event as well, and the multipurpose room was overflowing with smiles as families learned how to play new games. Families were also able to add their names to a mural that shows we all SAIL together in the Sturgeon Bay School District. In addition to these activities, families got to make animals out of tangrams, read giant books together, build with different kinds of blocks, and color pictures.

Seeing our hallways and classrooms buzzing with connection and laughter was a great reminder of what makes our school family so special. The incredible turnout and community spirit on display certainly made it a night to remember. Evenings like this make us all proud to be Clippers!

Little Hands, Big Impact

BY ERIK TAUSCHEK, 1ST GRADE TEACHER

On Earth Day, first graders visited Whitefish Dunes State Park for a day of hands-on service. Swapping their backpacks for work gloves, the students fanned out across the park to remove litter from parking lots, hiking trails, and the beach. They even cleared fallen branches and debris to keep walking paths safe and clear for visitors. The park staff expressed their sincere gratitude for the hard work. It was a powerful reminder that you’re never too small

Read-a-thon/Playground Fundraiser Update

BY: KATY DEVILLERS, PRINCIPAL

Thanks to the combined dedication of staff, students, and their families, the school's recent Read-a-thon successfully raised $6,677 while clocking an impressive 18,278 total minutes spent reading. The money raised from this year's Read-a-thon directly supports Sawyer Elementary's highly anticipated playground project. With the success of this event, overall fundraising efforts have hit a major milestone. As of today, the school has raised $290,371 of the $709,172 needed to fully complete the new playground. While there is still a way to go, the enthusiasm surrounding the Read-athon shows just how dedicated the Sawyer Elementary community is to reaching the finish line. While the entire school contributed to the milestone, Mrs. Sperber’s class took home the title for the most time spent reading, logging a collective 4,838 minutes.

On an individual level, four standout students pushed their limits to claim the top spots in the school:

Blake Jennerjohn: 855 minutes

Lucy Sperber: 900 minutes

William Adams: 965 minutes

Jackson Peters: An extraordinary 3,339 minutes

Of course, hitting these massive milestones required some high-stakes motivation. For their incredible efforts, the four top-performing readers earned the ultimate schoolyard honor: the opportunity to launch a pie directly into the face of Mrs. DeVillers. Sawyer School expresses deep gratitude to the families who supported the initiative, noting that the event not only brings Sawyer Elementary one step closer to a vibrant new playground, but successfully fosters a lifelong love for reading.

4K Program

KRISTIN WACHSMUTH, 4K TEACHER Families can now enroll their child for 4K for the 20262027 school year. Children who are four years old by Sept. 1,

TJ WALKER MIDDLE SCHOOL

Local Mathletes Shine at UW Oshkosh Competition

A talented group of middle and high school students from TJ Walker and Sturgeon Bay High School proved their analytical prowess by competing against over 1,100 peers from across the state at the annual UW Oshkosh Mathematical Problem Solving Contest. Following a rigorous morning of intense testing, the students spent their afternoon exploring the university campus through diverse,

hands-on learning sessions spanning biology, geology, nursing, computer science, and history. The entire community is celebrating all the brilliant participants who represented Sturgeon Bay with pride, including 10th-grader Megan Selle and 7th-grader Gaia Paita, who both earned outstanding leaderboard honors by placing in the top 10% of their respective grade levels.

Allied Arts Announces 2026 Performance

Get ready to head back to the pool and rock the summer vibe this winter! Twenty Eight talented 8th grade students are thrilled to announce their upcoming production of Disney’s High School Musical 2, hitting the stage December 2026. Join Troy, Gabriella, and the rest of the Wildcats as they navigate summer jobs, romance, and the ultimate talent show at

the Lava Springs Country Club. Packed with high-energy choreography, catchy tunes, and plenty of school spirit, this is a must-see community event that will warm up your December. Performance dates and ticket information will be released early this fall, so stay tuned and get ready to sing along!

Spawning Creativity: Student Fish Art Celebrates Door County Nature

In preparation for displaying artwork at Crossroads at Big Creek, seventh and eighth grade T.J. Walker Middle School art students were given the opportunity to create art pieces that were thematic and ALL ABOUT FISH. Some students created sculptures while other students focused on mixed media or painting projects depicting northern pike and sucker fish. Students were encouraged to create their own version of the fish and the environment where they thrive, while also applying their sculpture and painting skills. Crossroads at Big Creek hosted the event Saturday May 16th, Discovery Day, where the community and students were able to enjoy the artwork as well as several interactive activities and experiences. It was a beautiful day, celebrating the beauty of Door County!

Clipper SAIL Leadership Awards

Middle school provides opportunities for students to lead and make a positive impact upon their school and community. Recognizing students' achievements validates their hard work and inspires a spark to change the world for the better. Every middle school teacher nominated a student who demonstrated examples of leadership in our school and invited their family to attend a special celebratory breakfast on June 2nd. We shine a spotlight on these outstanding young leaders.

Sparks of Leadership: Students Secure Major Grants to Resupply 'Clipper Closet'

7th Graders Make a Splash with STEM and Spring Environmental Service Projects

Local 7th-grade students have had an active and engaging spring, participating in hands-on STEM and environmental service projects both inside and outside the classroom. On May 1, STEM students teamed up at the YMCA for a cardboard boat regatta, where they spent the morning designing and building vessels entirely out of cardboard, hot glue, and tape before testing their seaworthiness in the pool. This collaborative engineering challenge, made possible by the YMCA and the Maritime Museum, was followed on May 8 by a community tree-planting event at Crossroads at Big Creek. Working alongside local experts Nick Lutzke and Jeff Lutsy as part of the Door County Climate Change Coalition’s annual Big Plant Initiative, the entire 7th-grade class planted 300 trees and cleaned up litter along the creek while learning valuable lessons about protecting and restoring their local environment.

Bookmobile Rollout Protects Against the 'Summer Slide'

The Clipper Connection is brought to you by the Sturgeon Bay Schools Newsletter Committee: Allison Haus, Rachel Maurer, Jenna Auguston, Mandy Schoeneman, Kasee Jandrin, Miranda Larkin, Stephen Jacobson, Katy Devillers, Katie Smullen, Mark Smullen, Keith Nerby, Jen PayeWeber, Lindsay Ferry, Ann DeMeuse, Dan Tjernagel

Contributors: MACKENZIE OLSON, BRITNI SOUKUP, YARROW GOETTELMAN, CHRISTEL RUDDY, MIRANDA LARKIN, ERIK TAUSCHEK, KATY DEVILLERS, LANE HAGEN, MANDY SCHOENEMAN, JILIAN LAURENT, KRISTIN WACHSMUTH, MARK SMULLEN

Sparks Fly as TJ Walker Eighth Graders Tackle the Art of Welding

TJ Walker Middle School eighth graders recently traded their traditional pencils for welding torches, stepping into the high school welding booths for a hands-on introduction to the trades. Under the expert guidance of Modern Technology teacher Mr. Hockers, the students learned the fundamentals of shielded metal arc welding (commonly known as stick welding). The young innovators quickly grasped the complex electrical concepts behind arc welding while prioritizing vital safety measures, including the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). After mastering how to safely strike an arc, each student put their new skills to the test by practicing an intricate four-inch weld bead. Mr. Hockers noted that every single student demonstrated exemplary skill and precision, proving that the future of local hands-on technology is in incredibly capable hands.

In a generous effort to spark a lifelong love of reading and combat the academic "summer slide," the Bookmobile recently visited local sixth graders to deliver accessible literary excitement directly to the classroom. To support the students' literacy skills and intellectual curiosity over the upcoming break, the Bookmobile thoughtfully gifted each child a free summer book to keep for their personal home libraries. This impactful visit not only helps students maintain critical vocabulary and comprehension skills while school is out, but it also leaves the sixth graders feeling deeply valued, excited, and fully equipped for a summer of imaginative reading.

Students and staff at TJ Walker Middle School recently stepped away from their usual routines to participate in the school's first-ever Mental Wellness Day, an afternoon dedicated to prioritizing mental health and emotional well-being. Organized by PBIS staff members, the event offered a wide array of engaging activities— ranging from outdoor walks, sports, and yoga to watercolor painting, origami, and quiet reading spaces—giving students a chance to relax, express creativity, and connect with peers and educators. In addition to learning healthy coping mechanisms and feeling supported by their school community, students enjoyed a special wellness-themed raffle made possible by generous donations from the Bank of Luxemburg, CESA 7, the Green Bay Packers, Howie’s Tackle, the Milwaukee Brewers, Pick ’n Save, and the United Way.

Pictured: Alexander Seekins

Pictured: Ray Stephenson

Pictured: Nathan Legler, Noah VanderLoop, and Georgia Hubin

Pictured (L to R): Rylie Black, Elise Estes, Sophia Estrada, Luke Harrington, Lucy Cihlar, Abigail Matson, Maureen DePrey, and Xander Jandrin

Pictured: TJ Walker 7th & 8th Gr. Mathletes