WCS Students Recognized For Charitable EffortsBy helping the world around them and learning about their environment, students at each of the Warsaw Community Schools were recognized by the school board Monday night.
Since the Jan. 12 earthquake that devastated Haiti, Warsaw schools have collected more than $11,000 to help the island nation.Chris Gensinger, assistant to the superintendent, cited each of the schools that collected money or items for Haiti and how much.
He said Eisenhower raised $1,100 for the American Red Cross; Leesburg collected medical items such as soap, peroxide and cotton balls; and more than $600 was collected by Lincoln's student council.
At Madison, the school raised more than $1,500 and collected more than a ton of rice. Washington raised $200 from basketball concession sales.
Edgewood Middle School raised $3,000 during a one-week period. The money was used to purchase 300 tents for shelters and an event tent to serve as a school.
Lakeview Middle School worked with Chore-Time Brock and Wawasee Middle School to collect face masks and hats.
The largest amount raised was by Warsaw Community High School, which collected $5,167.69 for the American Red Cross.
Harrison Elementary School has received several honors this past year for its outdoor learning.
Randy Polston, Harrison principal, said when the school was opened in 1991, he wanted to create a learning campus on the 40 acres. With the help of the "fantastic" team at Harrison, the learning campus is alive and well.
For taking learning outdoors, the Warsaw school found out in December it was named the Outdoor Laboratory of the Year District Winner, presented by the Indiana Tree Farm Committee and the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen's Association. In February, Harrison found out it received the Outdoor Laboratory of the Year State Award. Teacher Judy Kinsey was given special recognition by Senator Richard Lugar for her work with the outdoor laboratory.
Last week, the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District presented Harrison with the Conservation Education Award. The award typically goes to a classroom teacher, but this year it went to the entire Harrison School.
Graeme Haase, WCHS student council president, reported that during the "Hoops for Riley" event held at the high school during the boys basketball game versus Plymouth Feb. 11, more than $1,200 was raised for Riley Hospital for Children.
With the money WCHS already raised for Riley, WCHS is now a Miracle School. A school becomes a Miracle School if it raises $1 for every student. Haase said one of his goals for this year as student council president was for WCHS to become a Miracle School.
The high school isn't done raising money for Riley yet. In March, along with Tippecanoe Valley and Wawasee, there will be a "Dance for Riley".
Twenty Lakeview Middle School choir students were recognized for participating in the "Circle the State with Song" choir festival sponsored by the Indiana Music Educators Association. Of those 20, eight were chosen by audition to participate in the state honor choir.
Judy Becker, LMS choir director, said only three other Indiana schools were able to get eight of their students into the state honor choir.
The eight LMS students who participated in the state honor choir were Davidson Baker, Derek Grose, Claire Hickerson, Christian Kelsey, Sophie Lancaster, Grace Robison, Aaron Secaur and Bryce Lippe.
The school board also recognized Jansen Orthopedic Clinic LLC for a $500 donation to the WCHS "Student Closet". As part of a Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy project, the "Student Closet" was created to help other students out.
