Students in EdCom Expo 2007 explored the frontiers of the past, present and future.
Warsaw Community Schools students gave presentations on historical figures such as James Madison, to contemporary sports legends like Peyton Manning. They explored various aspects of science like cats and dogs, Tetanus and the great white shark, as well as local weather, rocks and minerals and gigantic giraffes.
They weren't afraid to tackle weighty subjects in speeches, such as abortion, euthanasia or gender selection. They also had fun with science exhibits, video documentaries and vacationing. Some were inspirational giving presentations on overcoming adversity and stereotyping.EdCom is designed to give Warsaw Community Schools and Warsaw-area homeschooled students a chance to explore a topic in depth. They then present their topic to a panel of three judges, plus onlookers. This is the seventh year for EdCom Expo.
Each year EdCom begins with an opening ceremony. Students from each school march into the Warsaw Community High School Tiger Den, holding their school flags, much like the Olympics.
Warsaw Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Haworth gave opening remarks.
"It's my first year, and 'Wow,'" he said. "I'm very excited to be here."
Saturday was a glimpse of the future, he said. By putting their best efforts forth, he said everyone will see how much the students learned. And the adults present will get to see what the future holds when it's the students' turn to lead.
In the television show "Star Trek," Haworth said they went "where no man has gone before," the final frontier, outer space. But he said he didn't believe that outer space was the final frontier. "I think the final frontier is here, in your hearts and minds."
He told students to burst through any boundaries and go where no man has gone before in their learning.
Each student put lots of hours of preparation in their work, Haworth said, so now it's time to show it off. He encouraged everyone to take in as many presentations as they can.
"I hope you and I leave here tired from all the applause we can," he said.
After the opening slide show, presentations then began at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, with the final presentations concluding by 12:30 p.m.
From 10 to 11 a.m., science fair projects were exhibited in the south upper gym of the Tiger Den. From noon to 1 p.m., a Lego® robotics demonstration was given in the south upper gym.
As part of the closing ceremony, winning Warsaw Community High School EdCom Expo participating students received scholarships. A total of $3,000 was given to high school students, the most ever given to date.
Students earning scholarships included Kelly Loney, Nicki Clark, Zane Hollar, Kyle Blackwell, David Nine, Christopher Karczewski, Ben Kawsky, Erica Zuniga, Katie Morris, Mark McKenzie, Nicole Stouder, Kayla Durcholz, Adeel Chaudhry, Kelly Lawlor, Allie Wray, Kari Webb, Jazmyne Swick and Edgar Becerra.
Scholarship sponsors were Hand Family Foundation Inc., Ivy Tech Foundation, Jansen Orthopaedic Clinic LLC, K21 Foundation, Kappa Kappa Kappa Inc., The Roe Family, Warsaw Breakfast Optimists and Warsaw Education Foundation.
