Conde, SD

Sunday, Feburary 24th several Conde Horizon members met at the community center to set some of our plans into action. Our strategic plan was reviewed, and updates on some of the projects were presented. There are alot of great ideas out there, lots of work to be done and only a few people to do it. Let’s try to get more people involved. Everyone is busy and time is limited but if we don’t step up and “do it” nothing will ever get done. Boost the morale in town, let’s show our pride and community spirit by all working together to better the life of Conde’s citizens.

The Study Circles set us up and we didn’t know how much we needed it until it hit us in the face! The School chosen to close because we didn’t have 100 students, even though we receive no state aid! Last spring it brought us to action to be informed, letter writing took place to our Legislators and Governor. This fall the action was still there, Legislators again visited, trips to Pierre, more trips to Pierre, students, teachers and patrons giving testimony. Every type of emotion has taken place in our lives; so what is poverty? It is the uncertainty of an unstable future, however with our community action we have all become much stronger in our conviction to be better informed, we know we CAN make a difference and we are trying to be uplifting to each other in trying to hold on to our school. It was so true in the study circles when we learned that poverty is MORE than money! We still do not know our true destiny but it has been a very educational process for the whole community, it has kept us together, talking and taking action together. We will be proof of the old adage that we will have the ability to face if one door closes, another will open.

The Noetlich family of Doland stood in awe of the gifts from the community that were delivered just one week ago tonight. They had lost EVERYTHING in a house fire on a minus 24 degree night in January. Horizons had provided the seed of laundry basket and essentials and the community filled it to more than over flowing. It was, indeed, a Happy Valentines day for the family and a Valentines Day they will remember!

Conde Horiszons II will have a meeting on Sunday night, February 24th at 7:00 and the Community Center. All our committees will be there to start the fundamental workings of the Vision. Bring your friends and act surprised that there may be a dessert to whet your palatte. After all the doubt, frustrations about the school issue, this will be a fun time to really see the Horizons program at work, a culmination of the plans and now action.

Several members of Conde’s Horizon group met on Sunday, February 10th to test their baking skills. Approximately 8 doz. large, heart-shaped, sugar cookies were baked and beautifully decorated to be sold at the DC girls’ Valentine basketball game in Conde. The event was a success as those in attendance purchased the cookies as a treat for themselves or for their Valentine ” sweetie.” Proceeds from the cookie sale will help the Conde High School student council sponsor a spring semi-formal dance. Thanks to the gals who donated supplies, baked and decorated the cookies and sold them the night of the game. The Conde students thank you and appreciate the community’s support of their activities.

There is so much common misconception over why anyone will want to go to a small school.

Even as a senior, Conde School is near and dear to my heart. When we heard about House Bill 1158, there was a spark of hope that we would not have to close the school. The teachers here at Conde have inspired me to become a teacher and it’s a little disappointing to think that all these people who have affected my life so much may possibly be out of work……….

On Valentines Day, the girls basketball team will have a game in Conde. There will be a fundraiser, selling Valentines cookies, for the semi-formal. It would be a good way to support the team and also get some good cookies!

This morning Erin and Jessica came in to the school to teach us how to blog on the community website. Even thought it went slow due to the early morning, it went well and everyone caught on quickly.

Thanks for coming in, girls!

~Journalism class