Subscriber Exclusive: Hitting the high notes

ELLSWORTH -- School hasn't always been easy for Jordan Bloomstrand. The Ellsworth High School senior found himself floundering after his parents divorced when he was in third grade.

"That was pretty hard," Bloomstrand said.

Shortly after that, his grades started to drop and he began skipping school, missing about one day a week.

"It adds up. It's a big thing," he said.

By the time Bloomstrand reached fifth grade, he was barely passing.

"I was so scared I wasn't going to make it to middle school," he said.

Seven years later, the fifth-grader in danger of failing has been replaced with a goal-oriented senior, one who is actively involved in his church, excels in the school's band and choir, works a part-time job at McDonald's and is looking forward to studying music education at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

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