Nancy Schiffer, Schiffer Students Speak at Dedication

John C. Schiffer Collaborative School

Nancy Schiffer, and Schiffer students Parris Goins and Noah Lansing were among the speakers at the dedication of the new John C. Schiffer school on Oct. 19. Around 50 people attended the dedication.

Scott Stults opened the dedication, thanking many of the people who helped to make the school a reality. He talked of the design of the school, and referred to the room where the reception was held, the cafeteria, and why it is referred to as the ‘heart’ of the school.

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Stults also said that it had been a long journey for the alternative school. “It started at the high school, then to the VA, after than it traveled to the Early Building at the Junior High, to the old Highland Park, but that school was torn down. Then it went to the Sheridan College Campus, with the intent that high school kids had an opportunity to see a college campus, as a way to support aspirations kids might have after high school.”

He added, “I can’t be more proud of what we’ve done. The students can call John C. Schiffer high school home.”

John C. Schiffer, for whom the school was named, was a Wyoming rancher and statesman. He represented Johnson and Sheridan Counties in the Wyoming Senate for 21 years.

John served in the US Navy, receiving a bronze star in Vietnam. John married his wife, Nancy, in 1971, and they lived on the family ranch west of Kaycee.

Stults introduced Nancy Schiffer, who spoke about her late husband’s dedication to education.

John was always an advocate of education, and during the 1980s, he served on the Johnson County School Board, as well as visiting young people who were incarcerated, encouraging them to find a different path.

“He had a deep caring for people,” Nancy said. “He loved art and music and poetry,” she added. “He loved art galleries and museums.”

Susan Wilson, SCSD#2 board chairman, spoke briefly, thanking Craig Dougherty, retired superintendent of SCSD#2, and Terry Burgess, saying this was their dream. She thanked Sheridan College for their help, and acknowledged the superintendents of the other districts, acting Superintendent Boyd Brown of Arvada-Clearmont; Charles Auzqui of Johnson County Schools; and Pete Kilbride of SCSD#1, saying that Schiffer will be working with them as well.

She then introduced two Schiffer students, who each gave a talk about how Schiffer had helped them.

Parris Goins, who is planning to graduate from Schiffer this year with several college credits as well, had this to say.

She felt that the small class size at Schiffer was a great help for her, and that schools like Schiffer create a different environment for learning.

Student Noah Lansing spoke about his experience with Schiffer as well.

He added that he has seen a lot of success among the students at Schiffer.

The school, although smaller, has all the amenities of a larger school. There is a library, a gym, a kitchen and cafeteria, and large windows, one framing a view of the Big Horn Mountains, giving the school an open look, with a lot of natural light. It is close to the college, and many students obtain college credits while still in high school.

Principal Mike Swan concluded by saying that now, with this new building, these students have a place to call their own.

After the speeches, guests were encouraged to tour the building and chat with the students and teachers who were in attendance.