Kudos to the Albert Lea High School class of 1956. Its members raised the $40,000 to pay for an outdoor classroom along the pond by Tiger Lane in front of the school.

Not one cent of the project came from tax dollars.

The class has thrown down the gauntlet to other classes from Albert Lea and from other area schools to show support of education through private funding.

Can other classes from Albert Lea High School show their pride like the class of 1956 did? We think so.

People for education and people opposed to public funding of education should put their money where their mouths are and contribute to similar projects.

Inspiration & Ponder Point will be a lasting legacy the class of 1956 will be proud of. It will serve students by offering a place to learn outdoors and, at times, to learn about the outdoors.

It is another amenity among many that make Albert Lea a special place to live. A lot of communities have pride, but Albert Lea seems to have more than most. It&8217;s a special place to live. The outdoor classroom is a great example of that.

To the class of 1956: Job well done.