In a very special shining star this month, not only do we have eight students to celebrate, but we also cherished this moment as Bryan Bolger presented his final Shining Stars to the NSSEO Governing Board, as he eyes retirement at the end of the school year. We are all highly emotional about Bryan hanging up his hiking boots and moving on from NSSEO, but we can dive into that in a future newsletter.
We are proud to celebrate our Shining Stars for their outstanding participation in District 211’s New Endeavors summer school worksite, hosted at NSSEO’s Sunrise Lake Outdoor Education Center!
Sunrise Lake provided the perfect backdrop for experiential learning—where students explored “Who am I?”, “Where do I belong?”, and “How can I contribute?” Through meaningful hands-on experiences, students gained valuable employment and life skills, from teamwork and time management to resilience and responsibility.
Throughout the summer, participants tackled real-world tasks such as weeding, clearing paths, raking the beach, cleaning indoor spaces, stocking firepits, and even removing cement—all while building confidence and learning how to self-pace, take breaks, and use coping strategies for future success.
Congratulations to our incredible Shining Stars for their hard work, positive attitude, and commitment to growth. Your dedication and achievements truly shine bright, and we couldn’t be prouder!
