12/29/2025
A letter of thanks from LSTC ~
Happy New Year Greetings!
As we sit and reflect on years gone by and look to the future, we can't help but be thankful for everyone who has been a part of Lake Superior Tutoring Center since we started in 2012. The families we've interacted with, the students we've worked with, the tutors who have so graciously given their time, the donors who have selflessly kept us going these 14 years. It has been a blessing to be a part of it all!
When my family moved to Michigan almost 5 years ago, I didn't know what that would mean for my role in LSTC, but I'm still here, still interacting with new families, and working with new students. I currently have 7 students that I personally work with each week and there are several families throughout the Northland utilizing Barton materials to work with their own children. We may not be as big as we were in the early years, but Monica and I are doing what we can to continue keeping LSTC going and helping wherever we can, because even though it may not always feel like it, it matters. It matters to the families. and even though they may not always be able to express it, it matters to the students.
On Friday my mom asked my oldest (who turns 16 this year!) what her favorite Christmas gift was and she answered, "My books!" and this Mama's heart smiled. This is the same little girl whose biggest home school goal when she was 6 was a simple plea to be able to read like her friends, who cried tears of frustration because it was just so hard, but never gave up, who revelled in the excitement of finishing reading her first novel all on her own at age 12, who decided to take a big step and try public high school despite spelling still being a significant challenge, and who has worked incredibly hard to make the A honor roll every quarter. LSTC and the Barton Reading and Spelling Program have been a huge part of her success.
Our journey has been filled with stories like hers and we hope to continue helping where we can along the way, so thank you. To each and every one of you who have been a part of this journey, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you all!
Happy Holidays and all the best to you and yours in 2026!
Sincerely,
Melissa & Monica
P.S. ~ If you would like to continue supporting LSTC and our mission through financial donations, more information can be found on our website https://lakesuperiortutori.wixsite.com/lstc/donate or you can donate to our current FaceBook fundraiser, see our FB page for more details.
