By Tim Arnett
WABASH,Indiana – The 2016 Kathy Swan awards for Wabash Middle School students were given out at a packed Wabash City Schools Board meeting Monday night in the school’s cafeteria. Superintendent Jason Callahan said that the Kathy Swan awards, the namesake of whom tragically died in an plane accident in 2005, are all about recognizing good kids who otherwise don’t get much recognition. These are students, Callahan said, who have positive attitudes and put in the work day in and day out. He also stressed that students cannot apply for this award and the Kathy Swan awards aren’t a competition. Instead, teachers nominate a student for consideration. One student wins per grade level every year all throughout Wabash City Schools.
The 8th grade winner was Faith Fugate. The 7th grade winner was Destiny Foster. The 6th grade winner was Megan Perritte. The 5th grade winner was Mason Goshert. Amazingly, other members of the 5th grade class were also in attendance and gave testimonials on how far Goshert has come this year. Goshert also gave a statement to which he took a bow to a round of applause. Wabash Middle School Principal Mike Mattern sums up all the middle school Kathy Swan recipients for 2016.
Before the Kathy Swan awards were handed out, two Wabash High School Freshmen received at the Apache Spirit award. Sam Irgang and Madison DeBoard were honored for helping 6th graders during their study hall time.
The board waived their facility rental fees for the Special Olympics track meet and Wabash Police Department Patrolman hiring process. The board also approved the 5th grade camping trip to YMCA Camp Crosley and the annual 6th grade trip to Chicago.
The board then accepted the resignation of Wabash High School Math Teacher Brooklyn Guenin and the retirement of Guidance Councilor Joe Kaufman and his wife Special Ed Teacher Marcia Kaufman. Callahan said that Joe Kaufman can’t be replaced and that he was all about the kids. Callahan also congratulated new Indianapolis Colts Cheerleader, Alexis Paige Rose, who, he said, is the only cheerleader on the 2016 team still in high school. Finally, the board once again asked city residents to vote yes on the public referendum on the May 3rd Primary election ballot.