From left are Vuong Dang Nhat Nguyen, Manon Sonneville, and Hahyeon Jang.
Whitko School Board provided color coded paper for people’s comments and questions, though the majority of people discussed concerns amongst themselves.
SOUTH WHITLEY — The Whitko Community Schools School Board held the first of four informational meetings Monday, Jan. 30, at Whitko High School.
The meetings come after much talk in the Whitko community regarding possible school closures to solve financial needs. The rumors have instigated many to speak out in social media groups expressing their concern.
Superintendent Steve Clasen gave a one-hour presentation on the dilemma Whitko School Corporation is facing. A video of the presentation is available on Whitko Community Schools Facebook.
Whitko continues to see a decrease in their general fund, 90 percent of which is used to pay teacher salaries. The fund is driven by student enrollment; Whitko receives $6,600 from the state, from income and sales tax, for every student enrolled. Unless the community proposes a referendum for the next election ballot, Clasen made it clear that there will not be an increase in taxes.
The issue with low enrollment is impacting many rural schools, with nearby Tippecanoe and Triton also being affected.
When Whitko Middle School opened in 1993, the corporation had 2,196 students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade. Ten years later when the high school was renovated, numbers were down by 250. Now, the school is at a mere 1,447 with a projected 1,320 for the ’20-’21 school year.
The school board wants to have a plan in place to make Whitko financially stable within five years before the ’17-’18 school year.
Potential solutions mentioned include reducing staff, increasing class size or eliminating courses. Other potential options include consolidating administrative services with another corporation, finding a service people will pay for, adding virtual school option or creative management techniques that could include a public referendum. Currently the schools will need to make up between $250,000-$600,000 every school year for the next five years.
What could be considered the most unwelcome option would be to redivide the schools. Options on the table were to divide into: kindergarten through third grade at Pierceton Elementary, fourth through eighth grade at Whitko Middle School, and ninth through 12th grade at Whitko High School; or to divide into two kindergarten through sixth grade groups with one at Pierceton and one at South Whitley Elementary, and seventh through 12th grade at either Whitko Middle or High School.
The board understands that none of these options are ideal, so they are asking the Whitko community for feedback and ideas. There will be three more informational sessions: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Pierceton Elementary; 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Whitko Middle School; and 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Whitko Middle School.
Questions received at these meetings will be posted online for the community to see. If you do not have internet access, a sign-up list is available to receive the questions by mail or email. Questions and comments can also be made online.
The first informational meeting was held in the Whitko High School auditorium.
SOUTH WHITLEY — The Bethel College Jazz Ensemble will be performing a coffeehouse concert at Whitko High School on at 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 19 No tickets are required and admission is free.
The Bethel College Jazz Ensemble, from Mishawaka, Indiana, is comprised of talented students from a variety of majors including music education, music performance, general music, engineering, and business administration. The Jazz Ensemble performs music from across the wide spectrum of jazz: swing, bebop, Latin, blues and fusion. In addition to concerts every semester the ensemble tours each February and also presents the popular Jazz Coffeehouse Concert in March.
Fairfield Cosmetology’s SkillsUSA club earned a gold award of distinction fo being Indiana’s State Chapter of Excellence at a recent state conference. Shown are members of the club.
In front, from left, are Jessica Cabrera, Paige Yoder, Bree Mills, Casandra Ponce and Giselle Munoz.
In the second row are Bailey Rink, Priscilla Guevera, Krista Metzger, Reygan Troyer, Alyssa Griffiths, Alex Bigler, Makayah Fervida, Leigh Ann Shrack, Bridget Griffin, Ducle Munoz and Janice Miller.
In the third row are Hanna Angel, Katie Kirkham, Amy Hostetler, Ally Nichols, Lexi Dillion, Autum Brewster, Reyna Becerra, Bree Boocher, Leia Munn, Aubrey Leonard, Kayla Chalk, Lacy Snyder, Evelyn Quezada.
In the fourth row are Paulina Ramirez, Anna Macias, Desiy Gomez, Christina Jarvis, Madison Troyer, Chloee Little, Morgan Peak, Lucy Marin and Maria Miller and Lauren Miller. Not present is Jessica Croy.
GOSHEN — Fairfield Cosmetology Department struck gold at the SkillsUSA State Conference in Indianapolis April 21-22.
Fairfield Cosmetology instructors Lisa Firestone and Angie Higginbotham took 14 students to Indianapolis to compete in the SkillsUSA Indiana State Conference. Students were competing in esthetics, cosmetology, job skills demonstration and job interviewing. These 14 students were representing not only Fairfield Cosmetology and the Pathways Career Co-op, which currently hosts Fairfield, Wawasee, Goshen, Warsaw, West Noble and Whitko students. All state competitors had competed in both locals at Fairfield and the regional in Fort Wayne. Regional winners than moved on to the state competition.
The Pathways students who medaled at state were: Makayah Fervida from Fairfield and Leigh-Ann Shrack from Wawasee in esthetics and Bridget Griffin, also from Wawasee in cosmetology. These students have earned their place to represent the state at National SkillsUSA Conference this June in Louisville, Ky. Also medaling at the state conference in the job interview contest was the group’s silver medalist Fervida along with bronze medalist Paige Yoder, Goshen.
Fairfield Cosmetology’s SkillsUSA club earned a Gold Award of Distinction for being Indiana’s State Chapter of Excellence. This award is earned by ensuring students learn skills demanded by industry, develops the soft skills needed in workplace along with technical skills. The student participated in at numerous community service project and have been very successful with their fund raising to allow each student to participate in SkillsUSA.
Fairfield Cosmetology has two current 2016-17 state SkillsUSA officers: Yoder and Giselle Munoz, West Noble. These girls handed over the baton to their junior classmates, Breanna Mills and Casandra Ponce, both from Wawasee, who were elected during this year’s conference. These ladies will join three other officers from other parts of the state to be the 2017-18 state officer team. They will travel to Louisville in June to meet with the state officers from all over the nation. The officers will travel to Washington, D.C., in September to be part of the Washington, D.C. Leadership Institute.
Firestone and Higgenbotham are proud of all their students and look forward to their future success whether that is in competition, their first job or moving on to the collegiate world.
SOUTH WHITLEY — Emma Neeley and Morgan Keirn have been named valedictorian and salutatorian of the Whitko High School class of 2017.
Neeley is the daughter of Robin Neeley, Columbia City, and Chris Neeley, Warsaw. Neeley plans to attend Franklin College with a double major in pre-med biology and exercise science. During high school, Neeley participated in theater, gospel choir, the National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions, academic team, volleyball, church softball, fundraising and youth group.
Keirn is the daughter of Claudia and Shannon Keirn, Warsaw. She plans to attend Purdue University majoring in pre-veterinary medicine. During high school, Keirn participated in Future Farmers of America, National Honor Society, varsity tennis, art club, the United States Tennis Association, 4-H horse and pony club and the Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy.
SOUTH WHITLEY — The Indiana Department of Education announced today the 2016 Advanced Placement Award Recipients. To be selected, schools must have at least 25 percent of their 2016 graduating class receiving a 3, 4, or 4 on an AP exam. Whitko High School was honored for having 27 percent receiving the desired grade.
“Research tells us time and again taking and passing AP courses prepares students for the rigors of the college classroom,” said Dr. Jennifer McCormick, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction. “I am pleased with the dedication these schools and their educators have shown in providing a head start into higher education for their students. I applaud the success of each student who worked hard to study and pass their advanced placement courses and exams.”
AP is a research-backed method to facilitate student participation and success through delivery of college-level courses and corresponding exams in the high school setting. Qualified students who pass AP courses enroll in college at higher rates than other groups of students, require significantly less remediation, and have higher average first year grade point averages and credit hours earned than other groups of students. For the 2015-16 school year, 11,904 graduating students passed at least one AP exam with a 3 or better. This is an increase of six percent over the year prior, and an increase of 114 percent in the past 10 years.
Whitko High School students show their school spirit at Homecoming 2017.
SOUTH WHITLEY—“We’ve got spirit, yes we do!” is the all too familiar chant for many schools across the Midwest. But to be nominated as one with the most school spirit in the country is quite an honor altogether. Whitko High School was notified Wednesday, Feb, 8, that they are one of the top five finalists among a nationwide search for “America’s Most Spirited High School.”
The competition, hosted by Varsity Brands, originated in 2016. The winning school receives $25,000, and $10,000 is awarded to the runner-up. In order to win, the school must submit an essay, a letter of recommendation, photos that depict school spirit and a video showing the way the school is the embodiment of America’s most spirited high school. 2017’s grand prize went to Broken Arrow High School from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and the award show was hosted by Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast Laurie Hernandez.
Whitko submitted an essay by WHS 2017 alumni Kennedy Krull, and letters of recommendation were written by WHS Principal John Snyder and the President of the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce, Alicia Elder. Additionally, Nathan Haywood assisted by providing photos and a video for the school’s submission. To see the video submitted by the school and to vote for Whitko High School, site visitors can go to varsitybrands.com.
Asked to comment, WHS Principal Snyder shared, “Like the students say, ‘I love our school.’ It’s great to be in the final five, but the $25,000 would be quite impactful for a school our size.”
Whitko submitted their entry for the contest in January, and waited until Feb. 7 to discover the results and learn they were among the leaders in the competition. Now they will await the results announced on May 12 from the Orlando, Florida Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards Show held at the Walt Disney World Resort. Whitko has been invited to attend the awards show production, a round table discussion, and an awards show breakfast.
Voting for the competition began Feb. 7 and will run until Feb. 21. Until then, anyone can vote for Whitko to win. Voters can visit the site once per day and vote by submitting an e-mail along with their selection of Whitko High School’s name from among the finalists.
A Whitko patron addresses the school board Monday night, Feb. 19.
LARWILL — A parade of more than 30 citizens addressed the Whitko Community School Corporation’s school board in a two hour, 15-minute meeting Monday night, Feb. 19, to express concern related to the board’s recent realization that consolidation is unavoidable.
The Whitko Community School Corporation and members of the community are mostly in agreement on one thing — something has to be done in terms of re-structuring to combat environmental and economic factors that are putting the school district in jeopardy. Where some differ is how that retool will look.
The district has agreed that due to decline in school enrollment, the corporation must reconfigure the schools to house a pair of elementary schools and one junior-senior high school. Like many school districts, Whitko currently houses middle school-aged students, often grades six through eight, in a separate building. Nearby Triton School Corporation, located in Bourbon, uses a junior-senior high school format. At issue is where the corporation’s seventh through 12th graders will attend classes.
In a heated debate not unlike the firestorm that erupted a quarter century ago when Whitko decided to build a middle school in the midst of farmland near Larwill, opinions are divided along an east-west imaginary equator, pitting north against south. The school board decided last month to make the older students attend junior and senior high school at the current high school in South Whitley. Those Whitko patrons who live in the south maintain it makes more sense for the junior-senior high school to be located at the newer building and many called for the board to reconsider its earlier vote.
“In our meeting with the consultants, we discussed rural school districts that are sustainable because they are on a centralized one-campus district,” said Laura Cassidy, co-president of Pierceton Elementary School’s Parent-Teacher Organization. “Every piece of evidence gathered by the consultants, to the tune of $20,000, showed us that the Larwill location provides that.”
Like many of the speakers who pleaded with the board Monday night, Cassidy finished her allotted three minute speech to a standing ovation and thunderous applause.
Patrons argue that the Larwill campus has more room to grow based on the size of the real estate and in the wake of rapidly-declining enrollment, an argument was made that the current middle school’s proximity to US 30, a main thoroughfare linking Warsaw and Fort Wayne, would make this potential high school location more attractive to would-be Whitko families. Another point made about parents taking their children to other school systems involved the cost of living in the district.
“We have a much higher tax rate than Manchester, Columbia City or Warsaw,” said Tom Pletcher, who added that the school corporation’s need to add modular units at the current high school to accommodate incoming middle schooler’s was not a selling point for South Whitley versus Larwill. “For parents, that’s a turn off right there,” he said. “What tax payers think should not be blown off.”
Cassidy evoked images of the recent Florida school shooting in making her pro-Larwill plea.
“As I’ve watched the footage and interviews of the Parkland, Fla. shooting, I realize how unsafe our kids would be in those mobile classrooms,” she said. “As Warsaw’s school district found out, these mobile classrooms are a waste of tax payer’s money with no resale value. At the Larwill building, all our kids will be behind safer walls, made of brick.”
The school board was one member short at the Monday night meeting, with Georgia Tenney absent. Following the total of 33 speakers, the board continued by rubber stamping remaining business. It is unclear whether the panel will revisit its decision to move the top six grades to South Whitley.
According to Steve Clason, Whitko superintendent, the board’s decision to make the current high school the new junior-senior high school was based in large part on infrastructure. Clason said the current high school has adequate sporting areas and outside facilities as well as an auditorium available for performing arts events. He added that student lockers are sufficient, the Career Technical Education spaces are better developed and that there will be less busing for athletic events.
Whitko patrons packed the Whitko Middle School’s Lecture Room Monday night, Feb. 19, to voice concerns over board choices connected to consolidation.
After the ceremony, WHS student Angelica Moyer celebrates with her mentor Danni Blackburn of Youth For Christ.
SOUTH WHITLEY — A 92 percent graduation rate, one to one technology and serving two counties is no small feat. Adding to that list of accomplishments, this year Whitko has been recognized by the Indiana Department of Education as a Performance Qualified High School.
What does it take to be a Performance Qualified High School? According to the Indiana DOE, “In order to be eligible for the performance qualified program, a high school must receive an A for the previous school year. A high school remains designated as a qualified high school until it either receives a C or lower for one school year, or receives a B or lower for two consecutive school years.”
Whitko High School has been an “A” rated school four of the last five years.
In addition, WHS recognized National Honor Society Inductees and celebrated the graduating class of 2018 seniors. During the ceremony, new inductees took a pledge demonstrating their commitment to the program. As is their tradition, exiting seniors shared memories and each recognized an esteemed faculty, staff or significant leader within the community who has impacted their life throughout their education at Whitko. The service concluded with refreshments in the WHS foyer.
Principal John Snyder took the stage to congratulate the students, sharing, “I said it out in the hallway, and I know all of you heard it, but I want to say it in front of your parents. I’m proud of you. I’m proud of your hard work, but mostly, I’m proud of your character. I’m proud of who you are. And tonight, the senior’s testimonies just speak to the heart of what we try to be here at Whitko.”
WHS Principal John Snyder welcomes a new inductee to the National Honor Society after they have signed their name into the official register.
Students who are a part of the National Honor Society are taught the four pillars which include: leadership, scholarship (academically holding a GPA of 8.75 or higher), character and service. Many of the students this year had exceeded the service requirement of 15 community service hours easily with 38 members contributing over 1,200 hours. Six members alone had over 50 hours each.
To this, Snyder challenged next year’s NHS members to beat that number of 1,200 hours next year. And then shared more directly why, “I don’t say that as just a goal to beat a number, because it’s only a number, but the reason I say that is because I challenge you to make a bigger difference in the community. And knowing you, and knowing your hearts, I’m sure you can make that happen.”
The NHS at Whitko is led by President Austin Nettrouer, senior, under the instruction and supervision of WHS teachers Molly Maish and Brandy Smith.
Whitko Senior Rozlyn Bishop
SOUTH WHITLEY — Whitko High School Senior Rozlyn Bishop competed at the State FCCLA Convention on Thursday, March 8, in Muncie.
Bishop presented in the STAR Event Fashion Design senior category, receiving a gold medal and alternate qualifier to the national level in Atlanta June 28 to July 2.
This is the fifth consecutive year Bishop has received a gold medal at the state level and qualified to nationals.
Stephanie Cloud
PIERCETON — Stephanie Cloud, Pierceton, has a mission – to raise her two sons: Tucker, 2 ½ and Ryder, 7 months. “When I feel its complete, I’ll find something else. It’s a blessing to stay home and raise the kids. I’m focused on that. When they are in school full time, I’ll re-evaluate.”
While taking care of the boys is a full time job, she has found enjoyment in two other jobs. She is the creative arts coordinator at Warsaw Community Church and was just recently appointed Monroe Township Trustee. Both of those positions have flexible hours and can be done from home.
The responsibilities of a township trustee are nothing new to Cloud. Her father, Dean Rhoades, has been Washington Township Trustee for a number of years and she served as his clerk for a few years. “I had an understanding what it is about,” she said. When the position came up and there was no one else willing to take on the responsibility, she knew she could handle the task.
While the boys keep her busy, as does her two part-time jobs, she finds times to enjoy creative activities such as photography, writing, some painting and even reading. “I enjoy painting. I do some, but nothing to talk about. It lets me be creative. That’s why I like my job as coordinator. I’m part of a team and use the creative part of my brain.”
Additionally, she finds time to write, which include short stories.
Cloud is originally from Pierceton and graduated from Whitko High School. She graduated in 2009 from Franklin College, Franklin, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations.
Journalism and public relations, however, were not always her dream, even though she had a passion for writing. When she was a child she wanted to become a veterinarian. “I was in 4-H, FFA and grew up on a farm. But going to college for eight years scared me,” she said. During her years in 4-H she participated in general projects as well as showed beef and swine, and for a few years in horse and pony. In FFA she participated in dairy and meats judging and extemporaneous speaking.
Her career goal changed in middle school. A language arts teacher introduced her to writing and her desire grew from there. Yet she has not gotten to a job close to her degree.
After college she was the assistant registrar at the University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, then she was a customer service representative at ReelCraft, Columbia City. By then she had married Brandon, and they began their family.
At first Brandon, who had a second shift job, stayed at home with their son while she returned to work. But their different working hours didn’t allow much family time. Then things changed. Brandon joined his wife’s family’s business, E.F. Rhoades and Sons and her mother took care of Tucker. “I began looking for part time (work) instead of full time to have more hours at home.”
KOSCIUSKO — Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy is now accepting applications for the 2018-2019 class year.
Those wishing to apply currently need to be sophomores in high school entering into their junior year this fall.
Applications can be picked up at the guidance counselors’ offices at Warsaw Community High School, Lakeland Christian Academy, Wawasee High School, Tippecanoe Valley High School, Triton Junior-Senior High School and Whitko High School.
Applications must be received no later than May 23.
For more information on KYLA, please visit kosciuskoyouthleadership.org.
WHITLEY COUNTY — Whitko High School has announced Samuel Rickerd and Livia Rose as the school’s Class of 2019 valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.
Rickerd is the son of Mark and Sarah Rickerd, South Whitley. He plans to attend Purdue University to major in computer engineering. Rickerd’s high school activities include serving as National Honor Society president, student council president, S.A.D.D. officer, Whitley County Youth Leadership delegate, and Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership delegate. He also participated in Whitko Chamber Ensemble, Whitko Theater, Campus Life, Purdue University Fort Wayne Sci-TEC Academy, golf, and social studies academic team.
Rose is the daughter of Jeffrey and Season Rose, Pierceton. She plans to attend Taylor University to major in film and audio production and minor in computer science digital media. Rose’s high school activities include serving as videographer for the boys’ basketball team. She also participated in math academic team, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, art club, National Honor Society,
Pictured in front, from left, are Ethan Joeseph, Kelton Wood, Nate Smith, Jarrett Ocken, and Daulton Webb.
Pictured in back, from left, are Alex Dial, Ben Shanks, Aiden Bechtold, and Matt Dial.
SOUTH WHITLEY — Nine Whitko High School students took the American Welding Society Welder Certification Test on April 17 at the Steel Dynamics Keith E. Busse Technology Center of Ivy Tech Community College, Fort Wayne.
Passing students earned a worldwide recognized certification in the Gas Metal Arc Welding process. The test consisted of an American Welding Society D-9 work procedure sheet. Each student prepared and produced the required test specimens. The test was overseen and inspected by AWS Certified Welding Inspector Tim Sorg.
Pictured in front, from left, are Ethan Joeseph, Jordan Courter, Nate Smith, Jarrett Ocken, and Daulton Webb.
Pictured in back, from left, are Paul Patton, Alex Dial, Matt Dial, Ben Shanks, Aiden Bechtold, Isaiash Pierce, and Kelton Wood.
SOUTH WHITLEY — The welding technology program at Whitko High School continues dual-credit status with Ivy Tech Community College.
Students enrolled in welding technology classes have the opportunity to earn college credit while they are in high school. These credits are valid for Ivy Tech Community College and can be transferred to any state-accredited college in Indiana such as Ball State University, Indiana State University and Purdue University. These credits are available free of charge to those students that meet the eligibility requirements.
This is a great way to jump-start a post-secondary education. This is also an awesome opportunity for any student looking to pursue a career in any welding-related industry including advanced manufacturing, industrial maintenance, and auto body collision and repair.
Jim Irwin works with a child during a Hoop Busters Basketball Camp in the summer. Irwin coached high school basketball for more than 30 years.
ATWOOD — Even at the age of 12, Jim Irwin knew what he wanted to do in life. “I wanted to coach and teach,” he said.
And so he did for more than 35 years.
Irwin grew up on a farm along CR 650W about a mile north of Atwood. He later graduated from the former Atwood High School in 1960 where he played basketball for three different coaches — Ray Miller, Forrest Dunnuck and during his senior year, Tom Sittler.
After graduation, it was on to the College of Emporia in Kansas, where Irwin played basketball for a couple of years. But he moved back to Indiana and finished his college degree at Ball State University in 1964, a bachelor’s in PE and health.
With his college degree, Irwin began a basketball coaching and teaching school journey crisscrossing the state of Indiana. “I was a coaching vagabond,” he noted.
First stop was at Straughn High School in Henry County, a school later consolidated into Tri High School. Next it was Pierceton High School where he coached with Sittler for four years. “Tom Sittler probably had the biggest influence on me,” Irwin said.
Irwin stayed until the consolidation took place and coached at the new Whitko High School. For four years, he coached with the legendary Bill Patrick. In 1975, the journey continued and the next station was at Bluffton High School in Wells County.
After five years at Bluffton, he remained in Wells County and went to Southern Wells High School. “That was my favorite place,” Irwin said. “It was a small school with a great faculty. It was just fun.”
Then he shifted gears and went to the southern part of Indiana and coached in Salem for two years. Another move to the north found him at Eastbrook High School near Marion where he stayed the longest — for 10 years — and from where he retired.
But in between Salem and Eastbrook, Irwin stepped away from coaching basketball for a few years. While coaching at Salem in a sectional championship game, his team had a nine-point lead with about two minutes left in the game, but couldn’t hold the lead and eventually lost in double overtime. He said it was probably the toughest loss he ever experienced as a coach.
A serious car accident in December 2000 eventually led to the decision to retire. After retirement, Irwin moved back to the area he grew up in and helped his brother on the family farm. He also worked at Dick Baumgartner’s summer basketball camp in Richmond, Ind., for many years.
He volunteers his time in different ways and helped start the Kosciusko County Basketball Hall of Fame based at the North Webster Community Center. No inductions have taken place the last few years, but the hall of fame still exists.
Irwin also helped organize the Basketball Remembered Events where former high school basketball players from the pre-consolidation era gathered to reminisce and share memories at Grace College. “Those events were very well attended,” he said.
Although many memories are wrapped up in coaching basketball, teaching in the classroom was also something to cherish. “I enjoyed being in the classroom,” he said, noting he taught history, government, economics and a little bit of physical education.
Jim and his wife Mary Ann, a retired school superintendent, now live in Atwood and have four children: Rob, David, Jonathan and Jennifer, none of whom live in the local area. Jim also enjoys reading in his spare time.
From left, Harrison Elementary fifth-graders Anna Allebach, Adrian Frederickson and Nolan Driscoll work with Josh Wall, STEM instructional coach.
WARSAW — A kindergarten student exploring engineering skills. Several years ago that would have not entered the thinking of public educators.
But not so in today’s public school classrooms where project based learning, teamwork and collaboration, thinking outside the box and solving real world problems are emphasized. And Josh Wall sees it unfold daily.
Wall is a STEM instructional coach for three elementary schools in Warsaw Community Schools: Jefferson, Harrison and Leesburg. He spends a day or two in each building each week supporting teachers, helping them think of unique programs, providing resources and also co-teaching in classrooms. STEM covers the subjects of science, technology, engineering and math.
He has been involved in public education since graduating from Saint Francis University in Fort Wayne in 2011, but being a teacher was not his original career choice. After graduating from Whitko High School in 2007, he originally enrolled at Purdue University with the intent on entering the engineering program.
But then thinking of times he worked as a counselor at Camp Whitley, a youth camp in Whitley County, “spurred me to change my college major.” Wall said he really enjoyed working with the kids when he was a counselor.
Wall began teaching second grade at Washington Elementary in Warsaw at the start of the 2011-12 school year. There was also a six-month boot camp with the U.S. Army Reserve in 2012.
He remained at Washington Elementary through the 2018-19 school year until being hired as a STEM instructional coach this year. “Washington is a STEM state certified school with a big focus on project based learning,” he said. “I thrived on that type of stuff and loved it,” so when the opportunity to become a STEM coach became available, he took advantage of it.
Instructional methods have especially changed within the last five to 10 years and will likely continue to change in the future. Wall, himself only out of high school for 12 years, noted teaching methods have changed much even since he was in high school.
Beginning in kindergarten, students are taught to work together in collaboration, to think creatively and outside the box and to address specific real world questions. “We start with a real world question and let the students drive the learning,” he said. “They do the research and learn from experts in those fields.”
Everything ties in together and is woven into reading, writing and math. “We want it to all connect,” he said.
More schools are working toward become state certified in STEM and the state has realized the importance of STEM, Wall noted. “(STEM) fields are exploding, especially in jobs,” he said. “New jobs are being created and we need to prepare kids for the jobs not even existing yet.”
For just one example, he noted the iPhone only came on the market 10 or 11 years ago, but it seems like it has been around longer. One can only guess at the next developing technology with smartphones.
Wall said his top three priorities as a STEM instructional coach are to help students, help teachers and engage the community more. “I want to bring the community in and let them see what is going on here,” he said, as well as bringing in experts in STEM related fields “who are hungry to talk about what they know.”
Josh and his wife, Gabi, live in Warsaw and have a 4 month old daughter, Hannah. Josh enjoys fishing and running and has spent a lot of time fishing in Michigan. He has ran in some half marathons and has a goal of running in a full marathon.
The family attends Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warsaw and Josh is still in the Army Reserve.
WHITKO – With the release of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s “Back on Track Indiana” plan and the guidance outlined by the state, Whitko Community Schools has announced plans for an in-person graduation ceremony.
We understand that this year has provided many obstacles for students, parents, guardians, and our community as a whole. These obstacles have been met with uncertainty, frustration, and at times fear, but as we hope for a return to normalcy in the future, Whitko Jr/Sr High School wants to provide a moment of normalcy for the graduating class of 2020 and their families,” the school system said in a news release.
The graduation commencement is scheduled for Friday, July 17, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the football stadium.
If there is inclement weather, the school plans to reserve Saturday, July, 18, as a make-up date.
During this ceremony, there will be a limit attendees to two people per graduating student. This measure is intended to minimalize a safe environment during our ceremony. We will be releasing more details in the weeks to come about how to safely proceed with our celebration in cooperation with our local health department and agencies.
The school district also understands the possibility that Indiana may not be at stage 5 of the Governor’s plan by the July 4, target date.
If we have to postpone our July 17 ceremony, we propose the following options; July 24 (rain date of July 25), and July 31 (Rain date of August 1). If we are unable to hold the ceremony by August 1, we will cancel the ceremony, the statement said.
SOUTH WHITLEY – Continuing a tradition that began twelve years ago, six Whitko High School students took the American Welding Society, Welder Certification Test in late July.
This test would have normally been administered in late April but was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s participants had their opportunity to shine while following social distancing guidelines and masking procedures. Passing students earned a worldwide recognized certification in either the Gas Metal Arc Welding process or the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding process.
The test consisted of an American Welding Society D-1 or D-9 work procedure sheet. Each student prepared and produced the required test specimens. The specimens then had to pass a visual inspection and a bend test. The testing was overseen and directed by AWS Certified Welding Inspector Jeremiah Paseka.
The Whitko students passing the testing were: Braxton Coburn, Aiden Hoffman, Axle Rodriguez, Karter Shepherd, Brent Studebaker, and Bhrett Weese.
Eight Whitko High School art students won top awards in the 2021 Regional Scholastic Art Contest in Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio. From left: Front — Abigail Frank and Shoshana Keim; back — Morgan Dyck, Kylie Fugett, Reese Bradford, Matt Collier and Nathaniel Moore. Not pictured: Cai Davis.
SOUTH WHITLEY — Whitko High School art students have won numerous awards in an Indiana and Ohio contest.
The high school art department recently competed in the 2021 Regional Scholastic Art Contest in Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio.
More than 3,317 individual art entries were submitted from 200 schools around the area. Whitko students continued their tradition of success, winning numerous awards, including five Gold Keys (National Finalist) and one Silver Key.
For highlights, Morgan Dyck received three awards: one Gold Key and two Honorable Mentions. The five Gold Key winners’ art pieces will now proceed to national adjudication in New York City.
Winning pieces from the local competition will be on display at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. The exhibition will be up Feb. 13-April 10. Hours are: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
“I’m proud of my students’ pursuit for excellence,” said Whitko art teacher Daniel Malicki. “The FWMoA’s Scholastic region has collected one of the highest in national awards totals in the county over the past several years now. This is quite an honor, they should all be proud of receiving any of the awards.”
Winners from the competition included:
