Josh Hoppe's Presence Remains Strong at Hamilton High School

Ottawa Area Schools' Doing More. Together. Initiative Highlights Hamilton's Remembrance of Teacher Josh Hoppe.

June 16, 2014 – When Hamilton High School government teacher Josh Hoppe was killed in a car accident last Dec. 4, students and teachers followed the example he’d set and reached out to support one another. Now, the story of Josh’s impact on Hamilton High and the legacy he left is being featured by the Ottawa Area Schools’ Doing More. Together. initiative.

The partnership's website - Doing More Together - features a wide array of stories from participating schools. Now, Josh's story is online as well, and students and school staff talk from their hearts about how Josh's death affected them and Hamilton High School.

"The next day (after Josh's death), the teachers were told that there were no rules, just to be with their students. There were teachers sitting on the floor and crying with their kids," Hamilton High School Secretary Tracy Haverdink, whose daughter attends the school, says in the story. "My daughter was in choir that day when she and her classmates realized that singing was one of the best ways they knew of to cope. They went out into the hallway and sang ‘It is Well with My Soul' as their peers looked on with tears in their eyes. It was a moment she says she'll never forget."

Whether students are doing their "Happy Hoppe Dance," chanting "We had fun today, we had fun today, we had fun today. Hoppe, Hoppe, Hoppe," or just looking out for one another the way that Josh Hoppe would have, nearly everyone in the school has noticed a tangible difference in the atmosphere that remains to this day.

"Josh's presence and impact continues to be felt on a daily basis at our school," says Hamilton High School Principal Doug Brashler. "Kids are nicer to each other, they're trying harder at school, and it's because they know that Mr. Hoppe wanted them to be at their very best."

The school even honored their teacher with a unique take on the song "Happy" at this year's graduation and posted it on YouTube. Watch Video on YouTube.

The Ottawa Area Schools' Doing More. Together. initiative is an innovative education partnership between faith-based schools, public schools and public school academies throughout the Ottawa area region that showcases the high quality education offerings in local communities.

For more information, please contact:

Clare Liening
Lambert, Edwards & Associates
cliening@lambert-edwards.com
313-671-5562

Follow Ottawa Area Schools Doing More. Together. on Twitter and Facebook .

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