WABASH COUNTY, Ind. – Southwood Elementary School’s robotics teams were recognized for their achievements at the state championships during an abbreviated Metropolitan School District of Wabash County board meeting Tuesday, March 13.
The two teams fared well at the state competition, where squads were placed in divisions of 50 teams each.
In their divisions, the Red team placed 21st and the Gray team placed 11th in their respective divisions. The Gray team fared well enough to move on and compete in the finals round.
Additionally, the Gray team received a THINK Award in their division. The THINK Award was based on interviews with team members conducted by the judges. Team members were asked about the process of building and programming the robots.
With the performance, the Gray team qualified for the world championships, which will be held in Louisville, Ky. April 29 through May 1.
“Now, we get to compete with these 900 teams from around the world,” Superintendent Mike Keaffaber said. “That’s just an excellent feat, especially with it only being their second year as far as being part of this robotics club.”
It was discussed during the meeting that the entry fee for the world championships will cost the team $1,000.
Board member Gary Fadil expressed a want to support the team financially.
“I think it’s important for those children who have given their time (to see) this is what we are and this is what we support,” Fadil said. “This is what we want, to (see) them continue their education, and take that into the real world.”
The matter of financial support of the team will be broached again next board meeting on March 27.
Tuesday’s board meeting was held at the Honeywell Center ahead of the school district’s academic awards banquet.
This from Superintendent Mike Keaffaber
The Metropolitan School District of Wabash County Board of School Trustees met to conduct business on 3/13/18 at the Honeywell Center. Due to the Academic Recognition Banquet for our Northfield and Southwood seniors scheduled following the meeting, we had a short agenda.
Several donations were accepted in the amount of: $2705.00
Other Recognitions:
14 students from NHS participated in the annual (ISSMA) Vocal contest in Indianapolis. All 11 entries earned either a gold or silver-medal rating. A trio performing Aaron Copland’s The Little Horses included Athena Varner with sisters Ellie and Erin Proebstle earned ISSMA’s highest award, “Superior with Distinction.” This is the first year for this award which seeks to honor students with a Superior score. Vocal soloists who earned a gold medal (Superior) included Seniors Madison Nevil, Kathryn Pefley, Mariah Kirtlan, and Hallie Zolman; Junior Erin Proebstle; and Sophomore Athena Varner. Senior Jamie Vance earned an “Excellent,” silver-medal score. A Women’s Trio won gold as well. These members were Mariah Kirtlan, Madison Nevil, and Kathryn Pefley. The Women’s Large Ensemble earned a superior rating. These members included Madison Nevil, Mariah Kirtlan, Kayleigh Huss, Hallie Zolman, Jamie Vance, Erin Proebstle, Ellie Proebstle, and Kathryn Pefley. An additional large ensemble with members Erin Proebstle, Lexi Hodges, Emily Clendenon, Cassidy Carter, Madison Nevil, Addy Hershberger, and Jamie Vance earned a silver-medal rating.
From SHS/McDaniel: I would like to share an email I received from Al Remaly, Principal of Clinton Central High School regarding our recent sectional win in Boys’ Basketball: Andrew,
I just want to drop you a quick note this morning to comment on the sectional basketball game last night. Your coach is a real class act! All of us at Clinton Central have endured a very long basketball season and I want you to know how much I appreciated your coach controlling the outcome of the game the way he did. They could have easily scored over 100 points and just know that it is great to see a coach who understands the game and does not wish to blow out the opposing team just because they can.
Thanks again and good luck throughout the tournament.
From SHS/McDaniel: SHS would like to recognize and congratulate two of our 8th grade students for their recent accomplishments in indoor archery target shooting. Breklon Salyers placed 3rd in the state in middle school pins, and Kaden Meredith placed 1st in the state in the same category! Kaden is moving on to the National Finals in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 8th-9th. Great job guys!
From Janette Moore: MSDWC was well represented at the Symphony in Color reception.
Over 12,000 students participated in Symphony in Color across the state.
36 gold ribbon winners were celebrated.
MSDWC brought home 9 of the 36 winners.
Art Teachers: Erica Tyson, Katy Gray, Lynne Keffaber
From Andrew McDaniel regarding SHS Senior Parker Mays and his contributions to the Mayor’s Youth Council: WABASH MAYOR’S YOUTH COUNCIL WINS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMPETITION Student leaders from Wabash Mayor’s Youth Council took home first place in the Community Development Competition during the 2018 Aim Youth Leadership Summit on Saturday, March 3rd. The Youth Council will receive $2,500 put toward an innovative community development project for the city. Congratulations to SHS Senior Parker Mays for his contributions to this activity and for his participation in the Mayor’s Youth Council.
NHS would like to congratulate Alyssa McKillip for placing 3rd in the Optimist International essy contest. We are very proud of her.
The Southwood Community would like to congratulate our Boys’ Basketball Team for their decisive victories in regional play at Frankfort High School! The coaches and players would like to thank all the fans who made the long drive to Frankfort to cheer on the Knights. Good luck to our guys as they face Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian Saturday, March 17th at Huntington North.
From SES/Boone – Jessica Keffaber, fourth grade teacher, applied for and was accepted to participate in Breathe! Strategic Wellness for Today’s Educators. Offered through Region 8, it’s an innovative initiative experience for educators to address work-life balance, stress management, and vitality.
From SES/Boone – Both SES robotics teams fared very well at the state championship. Elementary teams were placed in divisions of 50 teams each. In their division, the red team placed 21st. The gray team placed 11th in their division and had the opportunity to compete in the finals round. Additionally, the gray team received the Think Award in their division. This award was based on interviews with team members conducted by the judges, and the team was asked about the process of building and programming their robot. Winning this award automatically qualified the gray team to compete in the VEX Robotics World Championships, being held in beautiful Louisville, KY, April 29-May 1.
From SES/Boone – As a part of the Wabash Inclusive Playground’s “$50K in 50 Days” fundraising efforts, SES participated in “Pennies for Play” last week. Students raised a total of $4,397.24. Miss Livergood’s second grade class contributed the most money, and they will be rewarded with a class pizza party. Organizers of the “Pennies for Play” campaign were very impressed with the students’ efforts. Southwood Elementary will have its name placed on the donor wall when the playground is installed.
The Southwood Community would like to recognize 9th Grader Erin McGouldrick on being named first place in this year’s Optimist Essay Contest. Her essay has been forwarded to the District Chairperson for judging in the advanced competition.
The Administration and School Board thanked Eileen Monroe for her service as a cook at Northfield. She is retiring at the end of the school year.