Meet the Staff! 12

Mid-February, about 20 Vanguard students and staff, including myself, traveled up to Baraboo, Wisconsin for a three-day educational field trip in the woods. While there, our guide, John Heusinkveld, opened us up the the beauty of Treehaven’s land. Treehaven is located at a satellite campus for the University of Wisconsin-Stephens Point. It’s a winter wonderland of over 1,400 acres.

John has worked for Treehaven for ten years. He says, “I love the outdoors. When I was little, my friends and I would just go and play in the woods. I believe I was predisposed with fascination to the outdoors.” John’s job at Treehaven includes coordinating educational trips such as the one we took, and educating people on the woods by teaching them in the classroom or taking them on different types of tours around the land. “For me, John was a big part of Treehaven. He taught me so much within those three short days. You could tell how passionate he is about his work and the forest,” says Chris Pehm.

John will be recognized with a 214 Distinguished Service Award because of his dedication to

Vanguard, and will be coming down to accept it March 17 at the Board Meeting. Students are invited to attend for the presentation.

Staff members consider John a guest teacher and an honorary member of the Vanguard staff. One staff member said one of the highlights of the yearly trip is getting the chance to spend time with John.

AMS: What’s your most embarrassing moment?
JEH: I don’t embarrass very easily.

AMS: What’s your best high school memory?
JEH: My French class was a great part of my high school career. My teacher really got the class

involved and showed us that learning can be fun. I was also in gymnastics and that was a lot of fun. We went to some pretty big meets.

AMS: If you were stranded on a tropical island what are three things you would bring with you?

JEH: I would bring unlimited food and water, a human companion, and unlimited reading supplies.

AMS: If you could time travel to any year, what year would you go to and why?

JEH: I’d want to go to the year that I was born (1961) to see what the world was like and get a grasp of the people’s perceptions on war, government and environment back then.

AMS: What’s your dugout song?
JEH: Any song by Aerosmith or Van Morrison. They really pumped me up in high school.

AMS: Who would play you in a movie of your life?
JEH: Robin Williams. [Thad agrees]

AMS: If you were on death row what would be your last supper?

JEH: I’d have a Venison back strap braised with olive oil, a thousand peas, and Caverne wine.

AMS: What dance describes you?
JEH: “The Jitter Bug” because I’m always moving until the music is over.

AMS: Do you have Beiber Fever?

JEH: Uh, no. I seem to be immune.

Interview by Annemarie Schaefer