Kayla Nassib, cub writer
When math teacher Jennifer Goolsby is not in class teaching the Quadratic Formula, she enjoys taking trips with her family.
Every summer, Goolsby goes with her whole family, of about 30 members, to an island they own in northern Wisconsin.
“It’s just sort of a tradition and get all the kid cousins together and hangout and relax,” Goolsby said.
Goolsby’s great-grandfather bought the island and this summer will be the 100th year since they started visiting.
“It’s very much something that in the family is, is being passed down…generation after generation,” Goolsby said.
The part of Wisconsin where their island is located has a very rich Native American history that was very important to her grandfather and great-grandfather. There are many artifacts and they have a lot of history connected to the house that makes it special to the whole family.
“It’s like he had this amazing forethought to look into the future and realize that this piece of land that he was buying was…going to just be this thing that connected his family for… generations,” Goolsby said.
Everyone just relaxes and enjoys their time while on the island. The kids do activities like sailing, swimming and tubing.
“As an adult, I sit and watch all the little kids play together,” Goolsby said.
Goolsby has had many memories over the years, but one funny story was when she was in college and she went sailing with her sister. It was a windy day so the sailboat was going really fast and they were on the verge of tipping over every few seconds so she pushed her sister back to balance the boat.
“We were laughing the whole time. It was hilarious,” Goolsby said.
Goolsby shares these memories with her classes.
“Its really cool that Mrs. Goolsby goes to this place once a year and spends her time with her family,” Sayeh Rahbari said.
Goolsby has had only two summers her whole life that she hasn’t been to the island. It’s a very dear tradition to her and it’s very special that she gets ton pass it down for more generations to come.
“I’m just really thankful,” Goolsby said.