1. Osage County R-II School District
1212 East Main Street Linn, MO 65051
Main:
Fax:
Web:
573-897-4200
573-897-3768
http://linn.k12.mo.us
Dear Future Business Leaders of America Sponsor,
I am writing to you today to recommend Haley Simpson as FBLA President. Haley is a member of my Speech
and Debate Team, a student in two of my classes, and an extraordinary young woman. In each of her roles,
Haley has soared above and beyond my expectations with her amazing work ethic, keen intelligence, and
impeccable character.
Haley is a member of the “beginning” speech and debate class, but she has hardly ever been a true beginner,
because she would not let herself be. My first realization that she would be something special came early in the
year, as the beginning classes were writing their first Debate cases. For many students, this is a difficult, halting,
unfamiliar process. Most students struggle at first to do enough research, work out enough detail, and build it
into a case. When I looked at Haley’s work, I discovered that she had done enough for THREE cases. What she
put together would have made any Varsity student proud, and that has been the hallmark of all of her work in
every one of my classes. Some students do enough. Some students go above and beyond. Haley flies about two
levels above that. I never, ever doubt that Haley has done the work, done it well, and truly cared about the end
result.
Working hard is more important than native ability – but Haley Simpson is also one of the brightest students I
have. I will admit to gloating a bit when she signed up for Advanced Debate next year, and I have watched her
deal with extremely hard classes (AP US Government and AP Comparative Government) with hard work, an
abundance of intelligence, and conscientious attention to detail.
However, I have been most impressed by Haley’s character and leadership ability. Debate kids are often wont to
look for the loopholes, the ways around things. While more than smart enough to do that better than any of
them, Haley also works to do things the RIGHT way. She sets a good example for younger students, and is a
great teammate to older ones. She is able to bridge the gap and get along with anyone, of any age or experience
level. In fact, at times, she has bridged the gap between other students and myself, bringing me student
questions or concerns, helping me to help her partners and teammates.
For all of these reasons, Haley has been a fantastic part of my team and classes. She is a student, a competitor,
and a person who will help make my program much stronger as a Varsity team member next year. She is
someone I can truly trust with responsibility and leadership, and she will make a great team leader for me. I
have not the faintest doubt that Haley will also be an outstanding officer and leader for you.
Sincerely,
Mitchell Kline
Government Teacher, Speech and Debate Coach
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Randy Wagner, President
Larry Hunt, Vice-President
Sherry Cleveland, Secretary
Barb Vaughan, Treasurer
Patrick Muenks, Member
Jeffrey Nolting, Member
Samuel Niederhelm, Member
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
Mary Elsensohn, Superintendent
Ken Harris, High School Principal
Steve Helton, Elementary Principal
Lenice Basham, Special Ed. Director
Rich Becker, Technology Director