Ways to Support Your Alma Mater at the Start of the New School Year

August has arrived, and we are inching ever closer to the beginning of a new school year. Where does the time go?

Here in Ripon and everywhere across the country, children and teachers are getting ready for a brand new year of learning, growth and challenges. Community and alumni support can help teachers and students alike weather all of those challenges and have a successful school year, especially when first getting started.

Here are a few ways alumni can support their alma mater this year, especially at the start of a new year.

• Go to events:  September 30th is Homecoming! Having an alumni presence at events is a powerful thing, especially early in the school year. It shows the lasting impact of the high school experience and helps to build school spirit in current students and staff. It also helps to find new recruits for the alumni association.

• Volunteer: If you live in the area, find time to volunteer. Consider what you’re interested in and good at, and where those strengths intersect with the district’s needs. Schools are always looking for more parent and community involvement, so be proactive about inquiring about volunteer opportunities. Even just occasional volunteering sessions can make a big difference.

• Donate: Put your money toward school initiatives you care about. Consider supporting Ripon students through the Ripon Education Foundation. School districts only get so much funding, so outside donations and sponsorships make a massive difference.

Best of luck to all students and teachers in the Ripon Area School District getting ready for the new year!

Highlights from the Summer

One of the highlights from this summer is the tremendous success from the Ripon High School FBLA students. Two RHS students landed in the top 10 for broadcast journalism at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) 2022 National Leadership Conference. Nine other students competed at the national conference as well.

One of the highlights of the summer school program is the RHS STEM Camp. This year, the camp offered two components:  electricity and the science behind electronics, and aquatic ecology.  Students learned how to solder and built a number of electronic devices including hand-held FM radios during those sessions. 

They explored the Ripon locations of Sandmar Pond, the Millpond, and Silver Creek.  Students also attended the Green Lake Association's Watershed Academy, an all-day, learning experience about stream monitoring and lake ecology. The camp concluded with a field trip to Williams Lake in Marquette County to meet with Onterra, a lake management company,  learn how to identify aquatic plants and how professional plant surveys are conducted on lakes. As you can imagine, the hands-on experiences were, by and large, their favorites. Check out our Facebook page to see photos of their excursions.

This year's camp was made possible by a number of outside sources and organizations.  The Ripon Education Foundation provided grants to purchase materials the students used to assemble the electronic devices and the equipment to conduct a number of water tests on samples collected throughout camp.  The Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers provided microscopes to study freshwater plankton.  And the UW-Madison Chemistry Department donated glassware and spectrophotometers used during the same water sample analyses.  And special thanks to the Green Lake Association and Onterra, their employees and volunteers.

The Ripon Education Foundation will honor several teachers retiring from the Ripon Area School District during its annual Scholarship Drive, April 25-29, 2022. Those teachers include Tracy Landerman, Kathryn McMillan and Sandy Polcyn. Combined, they have provided 84 years of service to the School District.

Cindy Cody, Coordinator of the Scholarship Drive, said, “Each year we raise funds to provide scholarships to graduates of Ripon High School. We recognize that the students’ accomplishments are made possible in part by the good work of teachers, and we think it is fitting to honor these dedicated teachers during our Scholarship Drive.”

During the drive, social media posts will feature each of the retiring teachers, and individuals will have the opportunity to donate to the scholarship fund in their honor. “We hope this process will highlight the importance of good teaching and provide a means for individuals to show their appreciation of the work these educators have done for our children and youth over the years,” said Jeanne Williams, President of the Ripon Education Foundation.

“I appreciate the Ripon Education Foundation’s efforts to find a way for us as parents, educators and community members to recognize and celebrate the careers of our retiring teachers,” said Mary Whitrock, Superintendent of Schools. “The REF Scholarship Drive supports such an important cause and honors individuals who have given so much to our students.” 

Funds raised throughout the annual event will support the Foundation’s Scholarship Fund. The scholarship fund supports Ripon students attending either two-year or four-year accredited colleges and universities. Since 1999, the foundation has awarded more than $160,000 to Ripon students headed for universities and technical colleges. Last year, Ripon Education Foundation awarded $8,500 in scholarships from the drive plus additional scholarships from other funds donated for scholarships.

Donations to the Ripon Education Foundation Scholarship Drive can be made online www.riponeducationfoundation.org/scholarship-drive or be mailed to the REF Scholarship Drive, P. O. Box 395, Ripon, WI 54971.  If you wish to honor a teacher with your donation. please write their name(s) on the memo line of your check.

Established in 1997, the Ripon Education Foundation, Inc. is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation managed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of community members. All contributions to the Ripon Education Foundation are used to support teaching and learning in the Ripon Area School District or for scholarships for graduating Ripon students. The Ripon Education Foundation works in partnership with Oshkosh Area Community Foundation.  For more information, visit the foundation website at www.riponeducationfoundation.org or follow the Foundation on Facebook or Instagram at Ripon Education Foundation, Inc.

The logo for this year’s Scholarship Drive was created by Sam Wiegel, RHS Class of 2024. 

Ripon Schools Best in Nation

Ripon Area School District (RASD) earned two Best Elementary School (Murray Park and Quest Charter) and two Best Middle School (Ripon Middle School and Catalyst Charter) badges in US News and World Report’s first-ever rankings of public elementary and middle schools. The distinction is awarded to the top 30% of schools in the state. Ripon High School was awarded this distinction in 2020.

According to US News, for each state, schools were assessed on their pupils’ proficiencies in mathematics and reading, as measured by state assessment tests. Half of the ranking formula was the results
themselves; the other half was the results in the context of socioeconomic demographics. In other words, the top-ranked schools are high-achieving ones that succeeded in educating all of their students. All data
for the rankings are from third-party sources, including the U.S. Department of Education.

For elementary schools, Quest ranked #8 and Murray Park #134 out of 1,219 schools in the state. For middle schools, Catalyst ranked #29 and Ripon Middle School #93 out of 733 middle schools in the state.
For charter schools, Quest ranked #2 out of 125 charter elementary schools and Catalyst #3 out of 130 charter middle schools. U.S. News has published state rankings for more than 47,000 public elementary
schools and more than 23,000 public middle schools. U.S. News has published an in-depth methodology article that provides more information about the rankings and how they were calculated.

Ripon Superintendent Mary Whitrock shared “These distinctions celebrate the continuous improvement efforts of our dedicated staff in each of Ripon’s schools. The Ripon School Board and leadership team is so
proud of and thankful for our students, staff and families for their commitment to raising achievement. This commitment ensures our children in Ripon have the best education we can possibly provide."

The official rankings can be found on the US News and World website at:

https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/elementary-schools/wisconsin/district-105981
https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/middle-schools/wisconsin/district-105981

Seeking Nominations for 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award

The Ripon Area School District is currently seeking nominations for the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award. To be eligible for nomination, an individual must have graduated from Ripon High School at least ten years ago and have distinguished themselves through career and/or community involvement. Please complete the online nomination form at https://forms.gle/q3QkxTUsL9pQxM5P6  by Friday, April 1st, 2022. The online form can also be accessed on the Ripon Area School District Website and Facebook Page. 

The award recipient is recognized during the Homecoming celebration in fall. A plaque with the portrait and a brief biography of the award recipient is hung in a permanent display at Ripon High School. This is the 19th year the Distinguished Alumni award will be presented. Last year’s award was presented to James Floros from the class of 1979. 

For further information, please contact Ripon High School Student Services at 920-748-4637.

Volunteer Opportunity for Local Ripon Tiger Alumni

5 Reasons Why We Love Ripon Tiger Nation

It’s February, and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. We thought we’d get in the spirit a bit and discuss all the reasons why we love being a part of our alumni association! 

Here are just five reasons why being a part of this organization is so special.

• The community: This is the best thing about being involved in any alumni association--you get to connect and interact with fellow alumni of Ripon schools of all years and ages. It may be people you went to high school with, or people who came long before or after you. But we all have our love of our alma mater in common, and all care about doing what we can to support the school and its current generation of students.

• The events: Whether it’s a football tailgate, a fundraising gala or any kind of meetup throughout the year, it’s always great to get together with fellow Ripon alumni and have a great time!

• The news: Even for people who don’t live in the area, being able to easily keep up with everything happening at our alma mater is a big benefit of membership. RASD is partnering with Ripon College and the city to repair St. Wenceslaus Street with grant money and continue improvements of Ingalls Field. 

• The influence: As alumni, we have a unique ability to be a positive influence on current and future generations of students. This influence can come in different forms, such as volunteering, mentoring, donating or general advocacy. But no matter what method we choose, we have the ability to support positive initiatives in schools and help today’s students have the same great experiences and opportunities we did (and new and exciting ones too!). Check out Tiger Jerry Buhrow from the Class of 2004 who spent time with RASD 4th graders to talk about his work with NASA at the Kennedy Space Center!

• The nostalgia: High school might not necessarily be “the best days of your life,” but it’s still always fun to reflect and reminisce about those days, especially with fellow alumni. There’s something special about seeing old traditions continue to go on, and having the opportunity to connect with other alumni and share our stories and memories.

If you haven’t joined Ripon Tiger Nation yet, there’s never been a better time! Become a member of our organization today.

It's #RiponRoar Days 2021!

#RiponRoar Days are November 15 - 19, 2021 featuring an online giving platform and dozens of volunteers spreading the word through social media. Parents, alumni, friends, and community members from all over the world can participate in the event. Here are a few of the amazing outcomes we expect from #RiponRoar Days:

• The event is an exciting new strategy for attracting new donors, particularly from our youngest alumni.
• It is an impressive showcase of everything Ripon, including the enthusiasm and loyalty that alumni, educators, students, and community members have for the Ripon Area School District experience.
• The Ripon family comes together to provide support for our educators and students. Our goal is to reach 343 donors which represents the number of staff and educators in the Ripon Area School District and the number of students in this year's senior class – a symbolic representation of the REF’s commitment to changing lives through expanding educational opportunities

Last year's campaign raised over $44,000 which has allowed the Foundation to increase its support to Ripon students this school year. Follow the Education Foundation's Facebook page for updates on their goal of 343 donors and head over to their website and click the DONATE button to share your ROAR with fellow Tigers!

 Alliance Laundry Systems is the lead sponsor

for #RiponRoar again this year.

Tiger Gear Available Online Soon

Ripon High School students are busy preparing for the launch of their online option of The Ripon High School Store. Follow them at Ripon High School Store on Facebook and Instagram for a direct link to their website and shop all the latest Tiger gear just in time for the holidays! 

Giving Thanks for Our Tiger Alumni

Thanksgiving is coming up in a hurry, and with it comes a reminder to think of all the things in our lives for which we are grateful. For members of Ripon Tiger Nation, that may include the time you spent in Ripon schools! Many people are shaped by their time in high school, so even those who graduated decades ago likely can still think of formative experiences from their teenage years in school or in extracurricular activities. 

RASD has recently honored two graduates!

2021 Distinguished Alumni: Jim Floros

Jim Floros Named 2021 Distinguished Alumni

"To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." Ralph Waldo Emerson

These are the words that have inspired James (Jim) Floros for his entire nonprofit career that spans nearly four decades. Doing something bigger than yourself and making the world a better place has made Jim the person he is today. 

Jim Floros was born and raised in Ripon and while he left Ripon for San Diego after graduating in 1979, he has remained an ambassador of Ripon and the State of Wisconsin. Jim always touts that his midwestern roots and strong work ethic have served him well in his life and career. And while he has lived in San Diego, CA since 18 – he still bleeds green and gold and is a Packers Fan for life. 

Jim graduated from the University of San Diego with an International Relations degree. From there Jim’s quest to make the world a better place started at the World Headquarters of Project Concern International – helping build community-based health clinics around the world. From there Jim moved to the Burn Institute, where he assisted burn survivors to cope with the devastation of their injuries and preventing burn injuries and fires. In 2008 Jim was awarded the prestigious National Burn Prevention Award for his dedicated efforts. Jim joined the San Diego Food Bank (SDFB) in 2013 where he worked tirelessly to end hunger and lift people out of poverty. Jim’s finest achievement maybe his work during the COVID 19 Crisis. Jim mobilized his agency to expand from feeding 350,000 to 600,000 people a month. He raised tens of millions of dollars, purchased millions of dollars in food, helped create innovative program strategies to meet the increase in need, and is credited with not only leading the SDFB through the pandemic but the San Diego community as well. He received numerous awards during the pandemic but was always adamant that these awards were reflected on his great staff and volunteers.  

Jim and his wife Cheryl reside in Chula Vista, CA, and have two grown sons who have always excelled in their endeavors. Jim is quick to say that his greatest achievement in life are his sons, Jack and John.

When asked about his life and what it has meant to the thousands of lives he has touched, improved, and perhaps saved, Jim’s reply is simple, “life is too short to not do something that matters.”

2021 Friend of Public Schools: Candie Webster

Candie Baker Named the 2021 Friend of Public Schools

Candie Baker is a true Friend of Public Schools. The Board selected Candie Baker for her ongoing support for both students and staff through her work with youth, leadership with Catalyst Charter School; monetary donations to enhance instruction; and commitment as a Ripon business owner. Candie was born and raised in Ripon. She played varsity volleyball, softball, and basketball before graduating from Ripon High School in 1996. Candie went on to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in kinesiology and a Masters in Education from Southwest Minnesota State University. 

Candie taught physical education for 7 years in Detroit Lakes School District in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota before relocating back to Ripon in 2010 with her husband Kevin and their three children Jocelyn, Eva, and Hayden all of whom are now Ripon Tigers like their mom. Candie returned to Ripon to take over her family’s business Webster’s Marketplace. A job she is very familiar with as she worked at the store from a young age and remembers being assigned to clean the restrooms. 

Upon her return, Candie began to invest in the community, joining Ripon Rotary, working as a coach for youth basketball and travel teams, and imparting valuable employability skills to Ripon students hired to work at Webster's. She believes through sports and employment, one learns a team is only as strong as their weakest individual so we need to build each other up to make the team stronger. Candie did that over the past year and a half in her rigorous efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 at Webster's.

Candie has provided ongoing support to the Ripon Area School District. She was a Catalyst Charter School Founding Board member serving in various board positions including president and secretary. Candie’s vision and leadership helped bring project-based learning to the middle school level in Ripon. The Webster Foundation, formed by Candie’s parents, has contributed to the development of Ripon’s fine arts program; and supported area students with 1.3 million in scholarships, matching funds and grants. Candie believes knowledge is power and when our schools are doing a great job, it brings not only families to the area to buy groceries but smart talented individuals to work in her store. Candie shared that the stronger the schools are the stronger our community.

Candie is a believer in the value of education, noting she still carried her National Honor Society membership card in her wallet to this day. Ripon is so very fortunate to have the support of a person like Candie. Katie Baird, a local retired fellow business owner and the grandparent of an athlete Candie coached, said “I am stewing about how to condense in a sentence how awesome Candie Baker is.  I have nothing but praise for her (and her family) in any business dealings we have had. Their generosity is incredible. I am so humbled by the lessons and sportsmanship she has taught while coaching my granddaughter’s team. She and her family are a true asset to Ripon.”

If you want to take some concrete steps to give thanks to your alma mater this year, here are a few ways you can do so.

• Reach out to a teacher: If you are still able to get in touch with any teachers you had in high school who influenced you, consider reaching out to them to let them know the impact they had on your life. Teachers are truly the people who make schools special, and they do not get nearly enough appreciation for everything they do. Practice giving thanks by showing them your gratitude.
• Donate: There are plenty of opportunities for you to give back to your alma mater through donations. These could include participating in the upcoming #RiponRoar drive, donations to specific school initiatives or organizations, or donations to in-class fundraisers. Whatever method you choose, this is a way to make a tangible impact and communicate how thankful you are for your alma mate.
• Volunteer: Giving your time and energy through volunteering may be the ultimate way of showing your thankfulness to your alma mater. There are all kinds of ways to get involved as a volunteer, so find something you’re passionate about or experienced with and use the skills and gifts you have to help the school and its students.

• Be present: If you’re still in the area, come to school events like sporting events, concerts, plays, and more. Having a physical presence and supporting everything happening at the school is a great way to showcase your gratitude.

We’re thankful for all of our members and supporters, and we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

The Ripon Area School District is currently seeking nominations for the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award. To be eligible for nomination, an individual must have graduated from Ripon High School at least ten years ago and have distinguished themselves through career and/or community involvement. Please complete the online nomination form at https://forms.gle/v2Sh4QyWihqWDBmn9 by Sunday, May 2nd, 2021. The online form can also be accessed on the Ripon Area School District Website and Facebook Page. 

The award recipient is recognized during the Homecoming celebration in the fall. A plaque with the portrait and a brief biography of the award recipient is hung in a permanent display at Ripon High School. This is the 18th year the Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented. Last year’s award was presented to Anthony Alvarado from the class of 2002. 

For further information, please contact Ripon High School Counselor Samantha Daun at [email protected].

RHS Coaches Continue to Impact Ripon Alumnus 

Recently we sent out an all-call to the Ripon Tiger Nation family to share their stories. We were thrilled to hear from some of you and hope that more will utilize our new Alumni Stories Page. Our first alumnus to be featured is Jason Polcyn from the Class of 2007. He shared how being a part of the RHS Wrestling team left a lasting impact.

"After graduating high school, I continued being involved in wrestling throughout college. This led me to take the position of wrestling coach for Paul F Asickisk, Sr. School in Shaktoolik, AK. I have held this position for the last nine years, helping my student-athletes make appearances at the State Tournament the last seven of those years. (I have a total of 4-6 high school wrestlers each year.) During that time I also coached our school’s first State Wrestling Champion and was honored as wrestling coach of the year (2019) for my region of Alaska. Each year I try to emulate the coaches I had during my time a Ripon and make them, and my family, proud."

2019 Wrestling Coach of The Year Jason Polcyn

Congratulations to Jason on his 2019 recognition as Wrestling Coach of the Year! We are honored to learn that he has modeled his coaching skills after his own RHS Wrestling coaches. We wish Jason and his student-athletes all the best in their next season on the mat!

Our alumni have some of the most fascinating stories to tell and we are always honored to share their accomplishments and achievements! 

Our Ripon Tiger Nation website has a lot of great features for our alumni members. There’s our directory, which helps you connect with alumni of all ages. There are resources to help you find volunteer opportunities, alumni (or district) events and so much more. But one thing we like to do from time to time (and can always do more) is share stories about our alumni and what they’re currently doing out in the world.

That’s right--we want your stories, achievements and milestones. It’s great to be able to share with other alumni, as well as current students, what Ripon students have gone on to accomplish in their lives after school. Plus, as an alumni association, we want to do everything we can to celebrate our alumni, members or not.

Here are some of the kinds of stories we hope to tell:

• Professional life: What sort of work do you now do? What path did you take to get to the current spot you’re in in your professional life? What are some of the unique aspects of your job or field? 

• Post-high school journey: The journey people take after high school varies widely. Some go to college, others enter the workforce, some find apprenticeships and others join the military. It’s always interesting to look at the different paths taken by our alumni and to hear about the experiences they’ve had that shaped them.

• Personal updates: What’s new in your life? Marriage, children, relocation, hobbies, interests… all of this is information people want to know when reading stories and updates about alumni.

• Achievements: It’s always great to celebrate the achievements of our alumni. These could be personal or professional. Think promotions, awards, successful projects or programs, important milestones, etc.

• Human interest: Human interest stories are always of interest. It’s great to read about people who overcome certain struggles or challenges, or who are making a positive difference in their communities, especially when they’re alumni.

Do you have any interesting stories to contribute? Send them in, and we’ll find a way to feature them on our website or in our newsletter!

Cheer On Your Ripon Tigers No Matter Where You Are!

The 2020-2021 school year will always be remembered as an unusual year for education across our country. Students, their families and school staff have displayed incredible resiliency in their willingness to adapt and flex with some of the challenges they have faced.

Not only does learning look different this year but extracurricular activities do too. Safety protocols have been extended beyond the classroom to assure that students are as safe as possible in all school-related activities. Students were able to enjoy the low-contact Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country and Girls’ Tennis seasons in the fall. High-contact fall sports (Volleyball, Football, and Boys’ Soccer) will compete in the WIAA alternative spring season with the Flyway Conference.

As the school year has progressed mitigation measures have supported adding more opportunities back into the mix for students such as Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball, Competition Cheer, and Wrestling. You can cheer on your Ripon Tigers from wherever you are! Check out the competition schedules and live streaming links at the East Central Conference Schedule. 

Athletic Director Bill Kinziger notes, “The Ripon Athletic Department's goal has been to safely play as many athletic events as we can to allow our athletes a chance to compete. We have been able to schedule and play nearly full sports seasons in all sports and to safely allow spectators to be a part of such an important experience in the lives of their loved ones. We know that education-based athletics plays such an integral part of many students' lives and feel fortunate that our athletes and families have sacrificed to make this as successful as possible.”  

The High School Drama Club Proudly Presents the Musical "Singin' in the Rain" 

Live performances will take place online using a live stream platform on Thursday, February 4th at 7:00 P.M., Friday, February 5th at 7:00 P.M., and Saturday, February 6th at 2:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. Tickets are available for $5 per streaming device at www.showtix4u.com/event-details/45931. Middle school drama students will perform “Frozen” in March. 

Music Events on YouTube For Your Enjoyment

The music directors throughout the district have helped their students to adapt to performing for others in multiple ways.  RHS Bands shared their love of music with a live-streamed Pep Band Concert while socially distanced and masked on Ingalls Field. Our U.S. Veterans were honored with performances that were included in pre-recorded virtual programs. All students, whether learning in person or virtually, were included in the recordings. Subscribe to the RASD YouTube Channel to enjoy these programs.

Elementary and middle school music students continued the traditional Winter Concerts which were virtually shared with the student body and community at large.  High School Choirs and Bands hosted small in-person concerts that were also live-streamed with the help of Ripon Channel TV. The high school concerts were performed in shifts so musicians, as well as audience members, could maintain social distancing. Virtual students performed with in-person students at the concerts using Google Meet.  

The time-honored RHS Music Tour prior to Winter Break also happened. Rather than traveling throughout Ripon to perform eleven concerts in one day, musicians shared live virtual performances from the RHS auditorium for elementary and middle school students and staff along with residents of assisted living homes throughout Ripon.