VOICES: Opinion of Jacque Winters
Dear Two Rivers Tribune,
For the last three months I have been a long term sub at Hoopa High School. Although, I planned to stop when I turned 75, that year has passed three times. Now maybe 80 would be a good time to stop going to school. I want the communities to know what a really fine school we have. The teachers and staff are caring and knowledgeable; however, it is the students who make it a special place. There are so many qualities that make the students here a treat to teach. They are respectful even when I have to growl. Quick to admit wrongdoing and they have a great sense of humor. When my grandson Tyler Shaw from San Jose spent his freshman year here, he came home one day and said, “Granny, even the mean kids are nice here.” I realized that Orion, Louis, LJ, and Fletch had given him some warning signals! He said it just right. I haven’t encountered a mean kid yet. Not all of our students have an easy life, but they still come to school. We need the encourage them to not only do their best, but also to be their best. This isn’t really my last day, since I do come back on a day to day basis. I just want the communities to celebrate the value of our young people.
Sincerely,
Jacque Winters
Jacque, We loved reading your letter. And you are right. The students at Hoopa High School were and are pretty wonderful. As Bo has always said, his position as VP at HHS was the best job he ever had…along with his best ever Principal, Doug Oliveira, the committed teachers, including you, who were there at that time, as well as the parents who “growled” him out from time to time
But, his mom did enjoy that her only son came back home. She is now 93, and still enjoys the stories that Bo tells her about his glory days at Hoopa High. Best wishes to you & the community. Bowman & Sharon Looney