'If there’s a will, there’s a way': Elkhorn Area High School proves the power of community with latest driving force to equal access opportunities

 

ELKHORN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- For 30 years, David Kruse has taught thousands of students about agriculture at Elkhorn Area High School.

Currently, his class is learning how to identify trees -- using markers like leaves or bark.

“We are learning by doing, we’re trying, and we’re experimenting," Kruse told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White.

While he often chooses to take his class outdoors to the nearby wetland, prairie, and school forest, it wasn't until 2023 when one particular student rolled through his doors.

“Last year, Giselle came into my class, and she was a pleasant personality and force that we needed to make sure that she didn’t miss out," Kruse recalled. “She was extremely optimistic and wanted to learn and wanted to experiment and try.”

Giselle Venegas is a 15-year-old sophomore who dreams of working with children in the future.

She's also been in a wheelchair since she was six.

“We made adaptations last year to help get her out to our farm field so she could harvest pumpkins," Kruse said. “After that experience with Giselle, myself and two of our other staff members, we spent the last year having conversations about keeping our eyes out for what are some options that we could use to get accessibility for our students?”

That's when the brainstorming truly began.

“If there’s a will, there’s a way and I like to generate ideas, that comes naturally to me, so I said, let’s see what we can make happen," Kruse said.

After multiple meetings, the Elkhorn School District committed $7,000 dollars in existing funds to help purchase an all-terrain wheelchair for those in need.

But the chair cost $20,000, leaving Kruse and his team to figure out the remaining costs.

That's when members of Elkhorn's FFA chapter and its alumni stepped in to help.

The organization emphasizes ag education and leadership for all, and it's that mission that confirmed those involved were doing the right thing.

“I think it’s super important that everybody has the same equal opportunities so seeing someone be able to just do something as simple as go out to a forest is super important to them and now to me," said FFA Chapter President Mikayla Werfelmann. “I really think it’s a super cool opportunity and all the technology in it is amazing so the fact that we get to have that at our school is just like, whoa!”

Now, the powerchair is finally in Elkhorn's hands.

The chair can either be manually operated by the rider using a simple joystick and control pad on the arm handle, or by someone who is walking next to it.

Everything is adjustable, from the seat to the speed to the height.

"It made me really happy to know that they really care about making sure that all of our classes are accessible for everybody to enjoy and to get to learn these things," Venegas said. “You can just tell that he really cares about his students and them understanding the class.”

While she's still getting used to operating the chair, Venegas said she feels "very grateful" to Kruse and the rest of the group.

"I thought it was so cool," Venegas said. "I know I have a great support system."

For Venegas' family, knowing she has a strong community around her is key.

“It just really warmed my heart that we have great teachers in the school that see these daily struggles that they go through, and they go out of their way to make it an accessible environment," said Auntie Rosa Venegas. "She's a strong individual, always motivated, always looking to try new things. Being in a wheelchair, she has never let that stop her."

In the future, Kruse is hoping the school will be able to expand their community partnerships and programs to make the chair available to whoever might need it, noting this is just a first step in their push for equal opportunities.

“Not every place has these opportunities for kids like me," Venegas said. “It makes me feel really welcomed and it makes me feel heard."