High Standards; High Goals: Public School Gave Aletheia Bridge To The Future

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By Anne Waukau

WEAC Media Consultant

Aletheia Anderson, 17, and her high standards and high achievements were featured in WEAC’s Public Schools Work for Wisconsin ad campaign this fall.

The Green Bay East High School senior said she was pushed hard by her parents, Ed and Pam Anderson, do the best she could. And she surpassed everyone’s expectations.

She has a 4.0 grade point average, takes several college-level courses, has a part-time job and is president of the Intra-City Student Council in Green Bay.

And to top that off, in September she met and introduced President Clinton to 40,000 people at a rally in De Pere.

“When I found out, I was sitting by my dad, taking notes. His face just lit up when he read it — and he’s a Republican. He told me this would be the greatest opportunity I would ever get and to go for it,” Aletheia said, adding, “He even helped me with my speech.”

In her impressive introduction, Aletheia told the crowd:

“In President Clinton’s book, ‘Between Hope and History,’ he said ‘First and foremost, we must continue to hold students, teachers, and schools to the highest standard.’

“My parents have always taught me that success begins with the highest standards. Teachers throughout my education have also had high standards for me. And I’ve had high standards for myself.

“But having high standards alone is not enough. There must also be the expectation that those standards will be met. At times I thought this can’t be done. It’s too much. It’s just impossible. But now, having accomplished so many goals, I would like to say thank you.

“Thank you to my teachers — such as Mrs. Appel and Mr. Mallien — for increasing the quality of my education, and not allowing me to settle for second best. Thank you to my parents for never lowering their expectations of me, knowing that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to.

“I can also thank myself for striving to meet those high standards, and taking responsibility for them. After all, it is my education. It is my future. All of these things have helped me, and helped so many other students, to achieve our best. ...

“It is my honor to introduce a man who knows and understands what it means to have the highest standards ... for himself, for his family, and for his country ... the president of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton.”

Aletheia, who plans to attend Harvard University and serve on the U.S. Supreme Court someday, was still in shock after the event took place.

“I love politics and I love public speaking. It’s everything I’ve wanted to do. I was shocked.

“The president gave me a big hug. He said thank you for doing this for me. I was on Cloud 9.”

Posted October 29, 1996