Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 134 No. 1 Fall 2012 | Page 23

Groundbreaking Ceremony
By: Maryann Barnett

On Monday, October 8, 2012 the entire student body assembled on the area of grass between the school
buildings, the Neesam Gym, and the Health Center. A temporary stage was erected and a podium in place.
Chairs on the stage were for DPI visitors and invited guests and speakers. Mrs. Marla Walsh, principal
and Director of Student Services, served as the Master of Ceremonies. Remarks were given by Dr. Tony
Evers, Wisconsin State Superintendent of the Department of Instruction in Madison. Additional comments
were made by Mr. Alex Slappey, Director of the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing, Ms. Cathy Edler, president of the Wisconsin School for the Deaf Alumni Association and
Gunner Hahn, representative of the student body at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf. Additional guests
included: Ms. Stephanie Petska, Director of Special Education, Ms. Carolyn Stanford-Taylor, Assistant State
Superintendent, Ms. Marcy Dicker, Director of WESP-DHH Outreach, Mr. John Brown, Superintendent of
WSD Buildings and Grounds, Mr. Mel Nieuwenhuis, Mayor of Delavan, Senator Neal Kedzie, Representative
Mr. Tyler August, Mr. Tim Svendsen, WSD Business Manager, Mr. Robert Crist, Delavan Darien
Superintendent and Mr. Bradley Werginz of the Angus Young Architectural Firm.
Following the comments, Dr Evers, Mr. Slappey, Ms Walsh, Mr. Brown and Mr. Werginz each donned light
blue hard hats and were given shovels for the official ground breaking for the new educational building.
The new building will replace Walker Hall, the current high school building, which was built in 1911. The
new building will incorporate a high technology infrastructure to support computers, projectors, and other
educational-based technology. It will also accommodate the assistive technology of visual warning systems for
fire, and tornado. The new building is expected to be completed in August 2013. The students and staff will
have an opportunity to participate in the naming of this new building through the WSD Landmark Committee.

Front row from left: Marcy Dicker, Carolyn Stanford-Taylor, Gunner Hahn, Cathy Edler, Tyler August, Neal
Kedzie, Alex Slappey, Dr. Tony Evers, Stephanie Petska, John Brown, Marla Walsh, Bradley Werginz.
Back row from left: Tim Svendsen, Robert Crist, and Mel Nieuwenhuis.

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