Misinformed for a Purpose and Transforming the "Ugly Stepchild"

January 26, 2004

Dear Editor,

I want to make it clear that I never told students that they would "look stupid" if they spoke up at the School Board meeting last Thursday. (“School Board Shoots Down Plan to Explore Shutting Down Olympic High,” January 24, 2003)

It was obvious that students were misinformed for a purpose. At the meeting students wanted to know what was really going on and I offered them the information they requested.

I was very proud of all of the students who came to the school board to defend their school. Even though their school was not being threatened with closure I was glad to see student activism coming from students who need all of the support we can offer.

I look forward to working with them, their parents and their teachers to make Olympic High an empowering educational experience for all.

Oscar de la Torre
School Board Member

January 24, 2003

Dear Editor,

Dr. Susanne Toyryla (the principal at Olympic High School) has said that she does not wish to be a poster child within the district. Her express wish is to support her students, staff and school so that all can succeed.

In her five and a half years as the principal of Olympic, Dr. Toyryla has taken what was the "ugly stepchild" of the district and turned that campus into a place of success and support for students who need it.

With her realistic expectations for students to attend school every day, take responsibility for themselves, complete the same work that "regular" high school students are expected to finish, and respect the school rules, facilities and staff, Dr. Toyryla has helped students who were considered "lost causes" to not only graduate high school but to believe in themselves and even to go on to college.

Dr. Toyryla has become a liaison between her school and the community, working closely with many organizations like Rotary, Soroptimist and the Lions Club to create scholarships and grant programs that fund not only college opportunities and career support for her students but also to organize the donations of equipment like many of the computers now available to her students for expanded learning.

Dr. Toyryla also works with the local police and other official organizations to monitor problems like chronic truancy, knowing that every child needs an education to succeed, and she offers them that chance at Olympic with her unwavering support, advice, and open-door policy. By maintaining relationships with the community and students' parents, Dr. Toyryla works to ensure that her students have opportunities and a good education.

Dr. Toyryla is also a strong supporter of her staff and well liked by everyone who works at her school. This is not because she plays politics, but because she is respected for her consistent efforts to do what is best for the students, a work ethic that is shared by everyone at her school. She has fostered an environment that has created a proactive team that works together aggressively to support the success of students at Olympic.

It's time to applaud the efforts of all educators like the staff at Olympic High School who work hard to ensure the success of its future generation.

Allison Phillips