WHS earns 3rd early college endorsement

The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis recently announced the re-endorsement of the Early College (EC) program at Wabash High School for the second time.

The Early College at Wabash High School is designated as highly effective in implementing with fidelity the Eight Core Principles of Early College. Wabash’s Early College program began in 2011 when the school started strengthening its slate of dual credit offerings. The program was initially endorsed by CELL in 2015, re-endorsed in 2019 and again reendorsed in 2023.

In 2022 Wabash Early College graduated 12 students who earned the Indiana College Core from Ivy Tech Fort Wayne, 30 hours of general education courses that fulfill the freshman year requirements at all public universities and colleges in Indiana. Twentyfour students earned 15-plus college credits and one earned a certificate in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement from Vincennes University.

“Wabash High School students earned 1809 college credits in the 20212022 academic year, including traditional liberal arts courses and skilled trades. With 10 robust Next Level Programs of Study, our students have opportunities to earn college credit and training in the career field of their choice,” Principal Joshua Blossom said. “Some of our students start college early and plan to attend our top public and private colleges, universities, and technical schools. Some of our students want to complete certifications embedded in their college credit courses so they can enter the workforce upon graduation. Our early college pro- gram serves all Wabash High School students.”

The Early College high school model creates small schools that are designed to give students jumpstarts for the rest of their lives.

Students can earn both high school diplomas and up to two years of credit toward bachelor’s or associate degrees. While open to all students, Early College programs specifically serve low-income young people, first-generation college students, English language learners, and students of color –all statistically underrepresented in higher education. Early Colleges of Principal Josh Blossom; Superintendent Dr. Amy K. Sivley; and EC Counselors, Abby Denney and Jaclyn Holley, has created and implemented an Early College program that continues to grow and flourish in helping students experience a head start in their postsecondary education. To be endorsed as a highperforming early college three times is a noteworthy achievement.”

“blur the lines” between high school and postsecondary programs.

To be considered for endorsement, the school prepared a portfolio that addressed the eight required principles established by CELL including providing a rigorous curriculum, robust student supports, and completion data. In addition, a CELL team visited the school to interview administration, teachers, students, and parents about the EC and its benefits and challenges before designating the program as endorsed.

“These endorsed Early College High Schools have documented evidence of quality programs accomplishments are true gamechangers for them and their that help high school students graduate high school and accelerate into post-secondary education, whether at a four-year institution, a two-year institution or a career/technical program. These students’ families,” said Sandy Hillman, CELL Director of Early College. “The strong leadership

Lagro American Legion

Auxiliary plans soup supper

The Ladies Auxiliary of Lagro American Legion Post 248 is sponsoring a Soup Dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 25, till gone. Cost is $8 for allyou-can-eat.

Choices of soups are chili, potato, vegetable, and ham and beans. Also available are all the fixings and desserts!

The Lagro Community Church welcomes you to church. Sunday School is every Sunday from 9 to 10 a.m. and worship service is at 10 a.m. Tim Brown is the speaker for March 26.

Dora Christian Church, 2325 S. Salamonie Dam Road, welcomes you to worship service Sunday at 8:15 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m. Preacher Mark Wisniewski’s sermon for March 26 is “To Change, or Not to Change?” based on John 5:1-7. Prayer and Bible study continues on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. with “Man’s Journey Into Timelessness.”

Lagro United Methodist Church invites you to its Sunday morning services at 9 a.m., and Sunday school for all ages at 10 a.m. Youth group activities for students in the 4th through 12th grades are also offered. Those activities and times vary each month depending on the service project.

For more information on youth programs, parents can email the church at LagroUMC@gmail. com.

Kids’ Klub at Lagro United Methodist Church meets on Wednesdays (on days MSDWC is in session from Sept. through the end of March) from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Activities include: Bible lesson, sculpture. From Metal Source: “We would like to shine a spotlight on a very talented student, Layne Denton, that we had the pleasure of assisting during a project he took on this school year! singing, game time in the gym, and supper.

A Grief Suppor t group meets at the Church of Christ at Wabash, 1904 N. Wabash St, Wabash, every Monday at 3:30 p.m. You are welcome to join them. If you have questions, contact Donna Wendt, 260-782-2160.

MSD of Wabash Theater Department will present their spring play “Little Women” on Friday, March 24, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 25, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 26, at 3 p.m. at Southwood Jr/Sr High School. The play is based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott.

Tickets will be $7 for adults, $5 for students, and ages 5 and under are free. Bake sale items will be available in the Southwood lobby throughout the show. All proceeds will go to the MSD Theater Department for future shows.

This is a special recognition of Northfield Junior Layne Denton’s

Layne is a Junior at Northfield High School and completed this intricate scrap metal sculpture for his Sculpture II Course. He stopped by our Plant 1 location in November of 2022 to pick out scrap metal pieces to start this project. Four months later we are looking at this masterpiece. Great work, Layne!

Your talent is unbelievable!”

From Layne Denton himself: “I have seen the recycled metal sculptures around Wabash and on the internet and found them to be fascinating. So, when I was assigned an open concept sculpture for the first project of my Sculpture II course, this was the first thing that came to mind.

From there, I had to problem solve the entire process from the sketch to gathering materials to cleaning found materials to placing the materials into a coherent order to fit the form and then welding all the pieces together. I would like to add a huge THANK YOU to all the people who helped me along the way. Thank you to Mrs. Meyer (Ag Teacher at Northfield) for allowing me to use the Ag Department welder, Cory Floyd (Metal Source Plant Manager) for staying after hours and allowing me to gather resources for my sculpture, Ben Gebhart (Gebhart Holdings CEO) for making this project even happen through providing resources and additional assistance that was needed late in the process of completing this piece, and Mr. Z. (Art teacher at Northfield) for his support and understanding. I am very excited to have it finished and hope to have this piece on display for the Wabash County High Show Art Exhibition at the Honeywell Center next month.”

Congratulations to these outstanding Northfield musicians for making the roster for the 2023 Wabash County Honors Choir: Addie France (4th year) Anna Hodson (2nd year), Freshmen (1st year):Wyatt Barton, Burton Black, Drake King, Aaliysha Mackey, and Ayriana LeBaron. These students made the 2023 Wabash County Honors Band: Landon Shoue, Emily Rehak, Claire Thompson, Hailey Barton, Isaiah Beall, Turner Stephens, Madison Griffin, James Griffey, Natalee Keller, and John Nesler.

There are people in our community who are in need of our prayers at this time. Their names remain on our lips and their concerns linger in our hearts. Let us not forget to personally be a presence in their lives, to offer hope and help. Their names need not be mentioned; God knows them by name.

Our hear tfelt condolences to the family and friends of Shelley Long.

Lagro Happy Birthday: March