Oskaloosa Middle School Students And Staff Pay Tribute
Students, Staff and Family release balloons filled with messages Friday morning in honor of Clark Holthaus
Oskaloosa, Iowa – With an unusual hush, Oskaloosa Middle School students made their way from the gym and out the back door of the middle school. This is where 8th grade students, staff, and others prepared to release nearly 230 balloons, each one carrying a message written by students.
Peer helpers coordinated the effort for the balloons, as well as the service held in the gym before the balloon release.
After their release the wind slowly moved the balloons mostly north as they continued to climb and could barely be seen. Then there was a surprise visit by a Bald Eagle as it soared high over the school grounds area which brought many different emotions to those in attendance.
Middle School Assistant Principle Mike Dursky said, “Peer Helpers coming together has been very therapeutic for them and for the kids. I think the kids have held up amazingly well.”
This Bald Eagle soared over the Oskaloosa Middle School shortly after a balloon release in honor of Mr. Holthaus
“The building has been really calm this week”, Dursky said of the student population at the middle school. “I think kids sense how things were; totally rose to the occasion and did what they needed to do and what was appropriate to do.” Dursky said that he thought things have gone amazing well considering the tragic time. “That says a lot to our faculty and our students and our community.”
“I have not, I don’t think I’ve taken time to go through the whole process, because I want to stay strong for the staff and for the kids”, Dursky commented on how he’s been dealing with the loss of a colleague and friend. Dursky wants to make sure that all the details that need taken care of are.
Besides being teacher at the Oskaloosa Middle School, Clark Holthaus served as Boys Head Track Coach, Middle School Athletic Director, and as a Middle School football coach.
Funeral services were held Friday, December 2, 2011, at 3 p.m. in the Central United Methodist Church in Oskaloosa.
