Wethersfield recognizes contributions, hard work of standout swimmer Mosley
"Hard work always wins..."
That's the advice Wethersfield High School P.E. teacher and athletic director Jeff Parsons says is exemplified by the accomplishments of senior swimmer Colton Mosley.
Parsons read a resolution, which was adopted by the Board of Education at its May meeting, congratulating Mosley on his success in the pool and representation of his school and community.
Parsons, who had Mosley in his Early Bird, before-school P.E. class, said that throughout high school, and before, Mosley always worked hard, applied himself and went the extra mile to improve his skills.
"Swimming is like carrying weights in the water," Parsons said. "It takes stamina."
Mosley also proved that hard work makes history. His list of firsts for Wethersfield High School is impressive.
He's the first student from WHS to qualify for state in swimming, the first to place at state (ninth in the consolation division), the first All-State swimmer, and the first swimmer from Wethersfield to sign a letter of intent to swim at an NCAA Division I school, St. Louis University.
Mosley told the board that while he will continue swimming in college, he plans to major in pre-pharmacy. He said in a Star Courier interview that after college he would also like to coach swimming.
Mosley began swimming at age 7, when his parents, Tera and Andrew, saw he needed more of a challenges. H mother started driving him 45 minutes each way to Dunlap where he is coached by Mike Connors. The Dunlap Dolphins is a year-round competitive swim team affiliated with USA Swimming and Illinois Swimming.
During the school year he swims six days a week at the Kewanee YMCA with before- and after-school practices two days a week. During off-school months he practices in Dunlap and swims competitively year round.
In other business, Superintendent Shane Kazubowski reported that the FY22 amended budget projects a $118,000 deficit but with no unforeseen expenses, all four operating funds should end the year in the black and the district should retain it's high state Financial Recognition status.
A public hearing on the budget will be held at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, June 9, in the unit office in the Blish Building. The hearing will be followed by the board's regular monthly meeting.
It was announced that high school graduation will take place in the high school gym at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22, the first time in three years it will not be held under some level of COVID-19 restrictions. The eighth grade promotion celebration supper will be held Monday, May 23, at 5 p.m. in the high school gym. Students will be dismissed for summer vacation at noon on Tuesday, Mat 24, the last day of school.
After closed session the board:
Employed Tim Carstens and Pat Keane as summer driver’s education instructors.
Employed Theresa Russell as summer maintenance helper and Heidi Finn as summer office assistant to continue with the digital records project wihch was started last summer.
Accepted the retirement letter of Dan Duckworth as Maintenance Director effective July 1, 2022.
Accepted the resignation letter of Stephanie Rusk as School Nurse effective June 10, 2022.
Accepted the resignation letter of Leanne Crabtree from the additional duty of District Substitute Scheduler effective at the end of the school year. She is still the elementary secretary.
Accepted a retirement letter from junior high science teacher Cathy Dana effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
Employed Tom McGunnigal as PE/Health teacher, Athletic Director, and Head Boys’ Basketball Coach for the 2022-2023 school year. McGunnigal has been the Head Girls Basketball Coach at St. Bede Academy in Peru for the past 23 seasons where he amassed an overall record of 434-242. He replaces Jeff Parsons who resigned this spring to take a position in administration and athletic director in Fulton.
This article originally appeared on Star Courier: WHS recognizes contributions, hard work of standout swimmer Mosley
