To the Journal editor:

First of all we way to say a big thank you to all of you who voted online for Marquette Alternative High School in our quest for $100,000.

The Farmers Insurance Dream Big Grant Competition ended Nov. 30 and on Dec. 9, we were told that we had not won the grand prize. We did receive a consolation gift of $2,500.

We also learned that we had received 34,753 votes. This experience has shown the true support that our school has from individuals in our community and around the world.

While many local people voted daily, we were also joined by fellow Yoopers who now live in many places throughout the United States and around the world including Italy, Japan, Mexico, and Finland.

We felt the love pour in throughout the long sixty days, while those same people stopped us in stores, wrote to us in emails, and posted on our Facebook pages. They shared stories of how their families and friends all had a daily routine of entering and verifying votes daily.

Even now, weeks after the competition has ended, people approach us asking how we did and encouraging us to continue striving to achieve our vision for a healthy school.

This is why we have gratitude for living where we do. We are Yoopers! We show each other how to live with positive attitudes through the difficult winters, how to care for each other when there are those in need, and how to show community pride when we are competition to display our amazing community members.

This competition is only one of many presentations of who we are as a school, a district, and a community.

We are forever grateful to all of you who have shown your support for Marquette Alternative High School.

Amanda R. Erspamer-Berry

teacher

Marquette Alternative

High School

Social Studies/Special Education