For the past three months, I have had the opportunity to help coach Avon School’s Oral Interpretation team. Earlier this month at the state oral interp tournament in Huron, I interacted with these young people in various situations - on the rides to and from Huron, at the competition, in restaurants, and in our motel. In each one of those settings, I found the students to be kind, courteous, and respectful.

During the two-day event, over four hundred high school students from Class AA, Class A, and Class B schools throughout South Dakota participated, and my interaction with them showed these students to be well-mannered, polite, and considerate as well.

I would like to congratulate these fine young people not only for their outstanding performances at this state event but also more importantly for representing their schools so well with their first-class behavior.

To our Avon team, thank you for letting me be a small part of your team this year. It is indeed a “Great Day to be a Pirate.”

Carol Swier

Avon, South Dakota