SUPER MONDAY

A motivational and informational morning message from Superintendent Willis

Week 17 ~ December 1st, 2025

Super Monday Message

Today is the 250th Monday since I started sending these weekly emails. I missed one week in the last 6 and half years, so this is the 249th email. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them. For our story today I want you to think about what you already know about the “Honest” part in the name “Honest Abe”. 

What stories have you heard about that aspect of our 16th president’s character? You probably heard the story of him walking miles to return 6 pennies to a woman he had given improper change to during his work as a store clerk. You may have also heard about him doing the same when he realized his store scale was not working and he had not given a patron enough of the product for which they had paid. You may not have heard about Honest Abe’s big debt problem.

Abe was enthusiastic about business at a young age, but not very experienced. He took on a partner with a friend, William Berry, purchasing a general store together. The partnership made several unadvisable investment decisions. Abe’s hard work compensated for some of these decisions, but not all of them. When the partnership paid 7 dollars for a liquor license they thought they had an answer. The problem was that William liked the liquor too much and it led to a very unequal partnership. William became a very unreliable business partner and Lincoln began trying to break the partnership. He started by selling his portion of the store to William. Abe had purchased his half with a loan and the sale allowed him to pay back that loan. The overarching business partnership still had other debts and obligations.

Before Abe could completely distance himself from the partnership, his 24 year old business partner passed away. Berry’s creditors came for Abe. The local sheriff came to Lincoln to seize the few assets he had, which were not near enough to cover the debts. Now without a horse or a home Lincoln had some choices to make. There was a legal case for him to get out of much of the debt if not all of it, but Abe knew that even if he won legally, he might lose morally. Abe didn’t flee the town or fight in the courts, he simply assumed all of the partnership's debts and started making payments on them with whatever jobs he could find.

He paid payments plus interest for his poor business decisions in his mid 20’s until late into his 30’s. Many people probably knew Abe was not the real problem with the debt and that the debt was not all his. His willingness to pay it all back plus interest led to his nickname “Honest Abe.” Have the best week 17.

Super High Fives

Just a couple of the awesome recent accomplishments that need a big thank you.

• A super high five to the students and other volunteer organizers of the America250 walkathon at the high school. There will be lots of ways to celebrate America over the next year and we’re excited to participate. 
• A super high five to our seniors for making great progress on college prep. Last month we had one of our highest attended FAFSA nights with the senior class. We’re setting a great pace this year with scholarship and college applications. Super high five to Mr. Jessen for keeping the pressure on.

Other Super Information

• Winter Sports Calendar 2025-2026
  • Link to subscribe to PHS Sports Calendar
• 2025-2026 School District Calendar
• Proposed 2026-2027 School District Calendar

Super Weekly Schedule