Burlington’s ‘other’ valedictorian

Boutcher finishes at top of online academy

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Staff Writer

For most of her life, Emily Boutcher attended public school.

But when she finished eighth grade – and began attending Burlington High School – suddenly she started noticing something she didn’t like.

“I felt like I didn’t get a whole lot of attention and there were a lot of favorites,” she explained.

In a school of more than 1,000 students, it’s not exactly surprising that someone feels like they slipped through the cracks – or that the social aspect isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

For Boutcher, though, it prompted a complete change in lifestyle. After her sophomore year, Boutcher gained open enrollment into the Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WVA) – a charter school provided by the McFarland School District.

Students are able to tailor their school day to their individual needs, both through online classes and individual study time. Teachers are available online or by telephone, and students take classes in everything from core courses to oceanography.

Boutcher made herself succeed in the program. In June, she graduated as valedictorian of the WVA 2012 Class with a grade-point average of more than 4.20.

She will head to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fall to study to become a pharmacist.

Suzanne Boutcher, Emily’s mother, said she and her husband looked into the possibility for both Emily and her twin brother, Steven, before they entered public school.

“We always felt she and Steven would succeed in a self-motivated environment,” Suzanne explained. However, in grade school, Suzanne would have had to be much more involved that she was able.

When Emily and Steven hit high-school age and began attending BHS, the topic again came up. However, Emily missed a chance to open enroll her freshman year and didn’t get a chance to make the change until she entered as a junior.

“She said she wanted to try it,” Suzanne said. “I said that was OK with me.”

While Steven remained at BHS, Emily found herself under a new schedule. Admittedly a night owl, she no longer had to get up at 5:30 a.m. to get ready for school.

Instead, she would get up around 9 a.m., eat breakfast and take a little time to fully wake up. Then she would log into the school’s website to check in, and begin her day.

Emily estimated she would spend about six hours a day on schoolwork, which varied as she worked a job and also with her class load. Her final semester in high school, she had just three classes, including a pair of AP courses.

But just because Emily didn’t attend a “normal” high school didn’t mean she missed out on a social life. In fact, she was able to keep in touch with the friends she had already made.

“All my friends asked me, ‘Aren’t you going to miss out on your social life?’” Emily recalled. “I’m like, ‘I still have one.’”

In fact, since she could arrange her day, she could join her friends for after-school adventures and spend time with them.

Emily also got involved through WVA, participating in student government helping plan a prom – ironically, one she didn’t get to attend because she chose to go to Steven’s graduation at BHS.

While Steven graduated from a class of 300 at BHS, Emily’s graduation was much smaller. The ceremony was held at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners.

“It was small, intimate,” said Suzanne. “Very nice.”

For Emily, the change worked. She and her mom both admit it’s not for every student, as students are given daily, weekly and monthly deadlines – project deadlines that must meet the end date.

Self-motivation – and the kind of attitude normally expected from a college student – is a must. But Emily also said she learned independence, and prepared for her future.

“You have to pace yourself,” she said.