This issue represents our first full year of Vandalia ONE story-sharing from within our District and all across our community. As I look back on the year, I am struck by the depth of professional commitment I have seen in our educators, the breadth of interests in our student body, and the remarkable range of engaged alumni we are so fortunate to have here in Vandalia.

This has also been a year of bold steps forward for our school community. The launch of Forging our Future and the early financial commitment of those in our community who’ve already stepped-up is another indicator of just how remarkably we are wired, one to another, and all to the greater good of our young people. As I travel across the region and throughout the State, I am constantly reminded of two things: 1.) Just how good we’ve really got it here in Vandalia and, 2.) How far hard work will take a student, a family, a community, or a school. And if we do anything well here in Vandalia, it is that we work hard.

As we expand upon the greater Vandalia ONE story in the coming year, we’ll continue to celebrate who we are and who we are capable of becoming, even as we demonstrate, through our personified lens, how we continue to overcome and grow through setbacks, struggles, and failures. Because if this community has taught me anything, it is that those hardships reveal in us a willingness to dig deep and do what we must to thrive and to help our neighbor do so as well.

Congratulations to our seniors, good luck on your respective journeys, and never forget that you come from a place that will collectively, always be in your corner.