I learned recently that Joseph Schell had stepped down from a board member position at Sussex Academy. I could not let his decision go by without recognizing Joe for his humanitarian work and dedication to the community.
While his projects have been legion, I specifically want to express my gratitude and praise for his work at Sussex Academy. Assuredly, the original founders, with Bill Pfaff as its board president and Nancy Feichtl and Allen Stafford as its school leaders, crafted a marvelous middle school in the year 2000. Later, Joe became involved when a group sought to expand Sussex Academy to include a high school. From that time on, Joe’s energy, leadership and passion about quality education and its impact upon our communities ensured that Sussex Academy students would continue to enjoy excellent facilities and expansion of its athletic program opportunities.
Joe engineered the successful swap between Delmarva Christian School and Sussex Academy so that the Academy was able to enact a new charter and expand to become a grades six through 12 school. Joe was a quick study about what made a quality educational program while he guided the school in how to develop its financial capacity through gifts and donations as well as ensuring that the physical plant was built out. Joe’s business acumen was indispensable to Sussex Academy’s expansion of its physical plant, playing fields and visible presence in the community. I’m sure his influence was felt when Sussex Academy added its elementary program at the Jefferson School site.
I did not want to let this moment pass without ensuring the public knows about the extraordinary impact Joe Schell had on Sussex Academy. Without question, he has been the “guide on the side” who made it possible that Sussex Academy expand from its initial middle school into a K-12 charter school, which provides a highly competitive academic and athletic program in Sussex County. Thank you to Joe Schell, a true gentleman and benefactor to education and the community.
-
A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.
To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to viewpoints@capegazette.com. All letters are considered at the discretion of the newsroom and published as space allows. Due to the large volume of submissions, we cannot acknowledge receipt of each submission. Letters must include a phone number and address for verification. Keep letters to 400 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content or length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Letters should focus on local issues, not national topics or personalities. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days regarding a particular topic. Authors may submit a second letter within that time period if it pertains to a different issue. Letters may not be critical of personalities or specific businesses. Criticism of public figures is permissible. Endorsement letters for political candidates are no longer accepted. Letters must be the author’s original work, and may not be generated by artificial intelligence tools. Templates, form letters and letters containing language similar to other submissions will not be published.
