Letter Of Endorsement

To the Editor:

I had planned to wait until closer to the election to write two letters of endorsement for the Board of Education; a board that is lucky to have two superbly qualified Democratic candidates running this November.

When I was in fourth grade, I had the incredible privilege of being part of the Discovery Program. As part of that program, I had the opportunity to meet an incredible person, the teacher at that time, John Vorous. Five years later, I moved on to high school, grateful for all I had learned from the Discovery Program, and especially Mr Vorous.

Before I left on that last day, I gave Mr Vorous a poem. I won’t share it all in this letter, but I do want to share one stanza, because it exemplifies the way Mr Vorous lives, and inspired each of us to live us well.

“My writing changed / My writing grew / Why? / Because I did the best I could do.”

Mr Vorous wouldn’t accept anything but the best. He would continuously push us to edit, rethink, improve, or change whatever essay, project, or assignment we were working on until we knew it was the best product. In last week’s letter [of endorsement by Alexander Trigaux], it was said that Mr Vorous continuously asked us, “Is this the best way to do this?” and he did. Eventually, we came to ask ourselves this question. And even after Discovery ended, it’s a question I can hear in the back of my mind.

John Vorous brings more than the voice of an experienced educator to the Board of Education. That, in and of itself, would earn voters’ support. But he brings that and so much more. John Vorous brings a passion for learning, a drive for improvement, a desire to make a difference, and the knowledge of this district’s school system. He brings years of experience with fellow teachers, administrators, parents, and students. Most importantly, he brings an attitude to never settle for anything less than the best.

On November 8, Newtown residents will be given many choices on whom to elect to various positions in town. I hope that all of us will enter the voting both asking, “Is this the best we can do?” If you answer that question honestly, you’ll be voting for John Vorous. He is the best we can do, for our schools, our students, and our town.

Sarah Hemingway

10 Overlook Knoll, Sandy Hook August 17, 2011