| SEARCH OnWEAC |
|---|
This article from the La Crosse Tribune is reprinted with permission By DAN SIMMONS / La Crosse Tribune David Aponte wanted to compliment his students, who had just sung “Happy Birthday,” “Jingle Bells” and “Silver Bells” to him in the Central High School media center. But he couldn’t seem to finish his sentences. “That’s very special,” he said first. Then, “I just really appreciate that singing and.” It’s understandable, given Aponte was sitting at a military base in Kuwait. He was watching the students on a TV screen, and they were watching him on one, too. The connection faded in and out, usually mid-sentence. Not that anyone minded. Aponte celebrated his 48th birthday Wednesday. The Army major and special ed teacher has been deployed to Kuwait since August with the 2-127 National Guard battalion out of Appleton, Wis. His students and colleagues at Central didn’t want him to feel forgotten or alone this Christmas. “My brother’s in the Navy, and there have been many Christmases apart,” said associate principal Lon Jorgenson. “So I really wanted to see what we could do for David.” He contacted Bradon Holt, district Webmaster, who arranged the technology to make the meeting possible: an Internet messenger connection with a Web camera so the two sides could see each other. The connection cleared up after a few minutes, long enough for Aponte to address the entire crowd, including students, colleagues and his family. “I wish I could give all of you a hug right now,” he said. His students responded immediately. “I hope you come home soon,” one said. “Me too,” another said. “Me three,” said another. The students have practiced their songs since early September, never thinking they’d get to perform them in front of their teacher. One student, Krystal Schwabe, said she’s been e-mailing back and forth with Aponte all year. “He tells me (Kuwait’s) like a big beach with no water,” she said, laughing. Posted December 22, 2005 |
