Nestled on the south side of Sheboygan Wisconsin there stands a building that the one thing stronger than bricks that hold it together-is the bond between the Redwing’s inside. Sheboygan South High is a school that is not only known for the various educational paths students have the ability to choose, but the prominent character and attributes each individual inside possess. With a little over one-thousand students who walk South’s halls, the staff, academics, clubs, organizations, and athletics all aid in helping students find a home within South’s walls, giving students the opportunity to find their place as a Redwing ensuring they get the most out of their four years of high school. By giving students the opportunity to become involved, there comes a set of attributes that most embrace while participating in these groups and as a school we have labeled the ideas of Respect, Commitment, Effort, Pride, and Leadership as the Redwing Way. Many students  embody these ideals expressing the traits above and beyond showcasing commitment, effort, pride, and respect in all aspects of their Redwing life. The city of Sheboygan, and the South High community lost a unique individual recently who really captured what it meant to be a Redwing and demonstrated for many, the Redwing Way. The sophomore class lost one of their own, when Sean A. Zempel was tragically taken too soon in an automobile crash on March 1st 2016. It was Sean’s 16th birthday when he took his final breaths, leaving his family, friends, peers, teammates, and coaches behind to mourn his passing. Although Sean had so much life to live, looking back at the life he did, was incredible. Being involved in everything from Boy Scouts of America and music, to academics and athletics, Sean did it all. 

Being apart of so many of these groups, came the personal relations he grew with the people within them. Orchestra teacher, Ms. Ann Muellenbach stated, “I first met Sean Zempel when he was a 5th grade student starting out on viola.  Yes, he was taller than me, even back then.  Sean always had a can-do attitude that never wavered.  Whatever the challenge was, be it a piece of music or a project, Sean was always giving more than 100%.  That commitment to his musical studies spilled over to those around him.  One of the many things that all of the orchestra students remember about him was how he always wanted to help everyone else be the best person they could be.  Everyone has shared stories of Sean’s laughter, jokes, smiles, and big heart.  It was as though Sean would stretch out his arms and become a big brother to everyone in orchestra.  Whether that be with words of encouragement or in showing how to live musically in the Redwing Way, he always gave without asking for anything in return.” As Muellenbach stated, Sean played the big brother role in every possible way he could while exemplifying the Redwing Way. As described from an inside the classroom point of view, Sean also played this role in the pool, on the course, and on the track. As a three

sport athlete, he was described as  always the one on the team to make people smile, laugh, and feel welcome. Fellow teammate from the Cross Country team, Junior Zachary Kaffine stated “On the XC team, Sean helped me push myself harder in practice and meets. This year, I had a rough start going into cross country, and he helped me keep myself going even if he didn’t say it vocally. Sean definitely had a positive effect on the team. He wasn’t always the loudest person on the team, but he would always be quick with a joke. He also was also a very clutch runner. In sectionals, he was not supposed to run, but Chase [Hutchinson] was sick, and Sean had to substitute. I don’t remember his exact score, but he had his PR that day, and really came up clutch for the team.” Along with excelling in his extracurriculars, Sean was a young man who without question had strong goals and aspirations in life, and did not take failure at those, as an option. When it comes to Sean’s drive to reach his dreams, Guidance Counselor Mr. Kevin Heling stated,

“I knew from my first few interactions with Sean, especially during our freshmen orientation get-together, that this was a student who was on the ball and, when you read Sean’s goals for his freshman year and beyond that he would not need much assistance. Sean was almost completely self-sufficient when it came to his academics, extra-curricular activities, and his future career intentions. Sean, as I have found out, was a natural-born leader, a quality that assisted him in every aspect of his life. His ability to reach out and befriend others regardless of their life experiences, coupled with his innate sense to provide service for others garnered him not only huge respect from all his peers at South, but from the community at large, earning his Eagle Scout status in the Boy Scouts.” The obvious effect that such a Redwing like Sean Zempel had on the rest of us Redwings is prominent. With possessing the attributes of the Redwing Way, and his immense involvement both inside and outside the school, it is safe to say Sean had an impact on us all. Although his tragic accident left many of us saddened, and distraught, It opened many eyes to the importance of keeping those you love as close as can be, and cherishing the little things in life, for you never know when someone’s last race will be. Sean was a young man who many will never forget, as the boy who made their chemistry class laugh, the athlete who never stopped going, or the student who never wanted to stop learning, and for that, he will always remain a piece of our lives, once and always, a Redwing.