About 200 people turned out Friday to hear former astronaut Jerry Ross talk about his NASA career and to support a fundraising effort by Wolf River Lutheran High School for a new school.
The school earlier this year announced a campaign to build a new building, estimated to cost $1.3 million, on 25 acres the school owns at the intersection of state Highways 22 and 29 in Shawano.
The guests at The Gathering on Friday were told the fund drive, which launched just over a month ago, had already raised $750,000.
Ross, a cousin of Karen Baker, secretary of the school’s board of directors, shared stories of his successful launches, as well. He traveled into space seven times during his career.
In recent years, he has dedicated much of his time to helping youth.
“I think it is important to give kids alternatives in education,” Ross said. “I am especially supportive of giving kids an opportunity to be raised in a Christian environment. …
“I always thought my mission was to talk to young people and encouraging them to do what God intended them to do, by using their talents.”
Ross, 66, said it was the first time he had visited Shawano, which he said reminded him of his hometown in northwest Indiana.
He was born in Crown Point and left in 1972 after graduating from Purdue University with a commission in the Air Force and a master’s degree. He now lives in Houston, Texas.
“I grew up in the country, and it is a more like farm country,” Ross said. “It feels very comfortable.”
“I always enjoy getting north, especially at this time of the year,” he said. “I like the snap of the weather with the fall colors.”
Ross was invited to speak in Shawano to help create awareness of Wolf River Lutheran High School’s mission and its efforts to increase enrollment for the new school. Enrollment this year is about 14 students.
The proposed 18,000-square-foot building would consist of five classrooms, a gymnasium with two locker rooms, office space and other basic needs.
School officials say they’ve outgrown the former Cecil Elementary School, where the school moved in 2012 after holding classes at St. James Lutheran School in Shawano from 2004-11.
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