Tipton Magazine June 2024

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Pawpular Pets

AGGIE SUE LOU

BAILEY BANKS HANK

KHLOE

KIRA

MIGGY

PEANUT

REMINGTON WILLIAM WHITMAN

RUBY

TURK (AKA TURKEY) TYLER, WILMA, SKIPPY

Writer / Julie Yates

It is said if an individual experiences success, then they will experience other successes. This has turned out to be true for graduating Tipton High School senior Aldo Garza. His story is also a reminder that students need to have a niche and feel a sense of purpose.

Garza was in danger of not being able to graduate with his class due to a lack of the needed number of credits for a diploma. Two programs were able to get him on track. He dug in and worked hard while participating in the Tipton Achievement

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Academy (TAA). Then, he was willing to assist English Language Learner (ELL) students. His bilingual ability allowed him to help others and in turn, lit a spark to push himself academically.

“It has been great to see. It’s been a night and day difference,” Principal Craig Leach says. “Looking back a few years, Aldo was just skirting by. He was credit deficient and on an alternative path in the TAA. Then the opportunity to be a translator and mentor/ role model came up. We haven’t had a huge number of Spanish speakers, but it is growing. We had the idea for a Spanish speaker to help. Aldo amped up to be that guy. That opportunity flipped a switch.”

Garza moved to the area when he was in the third grade. At the time, he only spoke Spanish. He moved away when he was in sixth grade but returned to Tipton High School when he was a freshman.

Garza credits the ELL program for helping

him learn English.

“This ELL program was a big help. In fourth grade I picked up English…but I goofed off my freshman and sophomore year,” he says. “Then, the opportunity to help others came up. This has been a good opportunity. It helped me so much.”

“It has been awesome to see him grow. TAA is still a growing program. It takes credit deficient students and sets them up to graduate. Aldo has been one of our outstanding students; he put in the hard work needed,” Paula McCord, ATT teacher, says.

An example of how Garza has stepped up to help others recently occurred. A non-English speaking student from Guatemala moved in and Garza acted as a translator and peer tutored him for several hours every day.

After graduation, he would like to continue using his skill as a translator. Garza shares that he is interested in interpreting in

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the construction field or as a hospital dispatcher. He feels his bilingual skills would be helpful in business and hopes to eventually own his own business someday.

“The advice I would give other students is that sometimes there are hard times, but you can overcome them. You can change even if you are struggling. I realized there’s always people who will help. I want students to know that it is important to mentor others,” Garza says.

Cooper Joseph Altherr

McKinzie Alta June

Atkinson

Samara Irie Beason

Aleigha Jane Benefiel

Aidan Micheal Conrade Blair

Drake Garrison Boyer

Joel Douglass Brandon

Chloe Joy Brock

Isabella Rose Browning

Kaleigh Marie Burke

Sofia Grace Carter

Tyler Joseph Carver

Austin Shane Casto

Chandler Andrew Cherry

Jackson Graham Cloar

Halle LeeAnn Cole

Taylor LuAnn Conaway

Cearrah Rose Cooper Mason Conrad

Christopher Crose

Olivia Jean Darville

Bailey Noelle Douglass

Braedyn Aubrey Dudley

Clair Louise Dunn

Isabelle Marie Espinoza

Kadan Andrew Everling

Collin Patric Farr

Serenity Isabel Fleenor

Logan Alan Fleming

Dakota Riley Foerg

Gisel Fortuna

Grace Anne Friend

Aldo Garza

Gavin Michael Hare

Addyson Elizabeth Harpel

Evelyn Ryan Harris

Brody Ryan Heinzmann

Christine Elizabeth Henry

Jacen James Hill

Kelan Avery Hill

Abigail Kristen Hoover

Vincent Steven Hoover

Gwendolyn Lee Howell

Axle Jay Hunter

Drake Michael Johnson

Nicole Marie Kardos

Rylee Sue Katter

Tiffany Nicole Keller

Jaydon Lawrence Kelly

Mackenzie Elaine Larson

Courtney Breann Leap

Kyra Nicole Ley

Madita Löwer

Amelia Diane London

Cash James McCord

Emerson Nicole Merrell

Benjamin Layne Meyer

John Rhys Morgan

Jackson Kai Money

Kaiya Jolie Money

Brielle Anne Muncie

Brooke Taylor Nantroup

Destiny Jade Nantroup

Jackson Pierce Nevil

Jonathan Michael Niles

Cristian Ignacio ParedesLopez

Elsie Madeline Pearson

Layla Caroline Pearson

Tony Lee Ortiz Perez

Mackenzie Taylor Plake

Allison Nichole Powell

Kaleb Thomas Martz Powell

Mattea Jerusha Raman

Chloe Jean Reecer

Cayden Orion Reily

Zoe Wednesday Roberson

Ashley Nicole Robinson

Brooke Irene Robinson

Taylor Nikole Robinson

Jewlie Anne Russ

Alex Kristopher Ryker

Mea Rose Schambers

Alyssa Dawn Marie Scheetz

Kaylin Marie Scott

Amelia Quinn Servies

Gage Austin Sherrill

Marissa Rose Shirey

Keliah LeAn Smith

Trinity Nicole Smith

Owen Lane Sonnier

Alicia Kay Sottong

Jaylie Jo Springer

Kayla Suzanne Stamps

Ethan Tyler Stanley

Nolan Lyle Swan

Brooklyn Sue-Ann Taylor

Paige Lacy Teter

Collin Nicholas Thomas

Ryan Thomas Tracy

LylliAnne Josephine Tragesser

Peyton Lorenz Tragesser

Michael Andrew Valdez

Brayden Lee Vandergriff

Eric Andrew Vimmerstedt

Heidi Marie Waggoner

Maxfield James Wallace

Emma Grace Watson

Taylor Jo Whann

Elisha Robert Williams

Lillian Abigail Wilson

Kaden Lee Wittkamper

Hallie Ruth Wolfe

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2024

Lilly Noel Ahrens

Lillian Irene Ailor

Joshua Jakob Baker

Bryan Alan Baldwin

Noah Michael Ballard

Kaitlin Noelle Barnard

Doug Evan Baty

Katherine Rose Beck

Ayva Jaiden Bowman

Elijah Alan-Gene Brotherton

Conner William Calloway

Hannah Madeline Coker

Emma Grace Conrad

Delanie Grace Deckard

Chloe Nicole Eller

Michael Ryan English

Elloise Ameí Gordon

Landon Alexander Grant

Kady Jo Graves

Makylee Ann Hartman

Jaaron Lee Helmerick

Layton Crew Henderson

Grace Marie Henderson

Emma Grace Henry

Mario Issac Hernandez

Justin John Higgins

Hayden Lee Hight

Gatlin Glenn Hinkle

Rachael Louise Hinton

Madison Kay Hook

Autumn Marie Hurt

Aidan Daniel Johnson

Kiley Ann Kinney

Natalee Jean Laughman

Tru Hope Lessentine

Alix Leon McKeeman

Jeffrey Stetson Newcom

Natalie Sue Newcom

Jason Michael Papai

Sofie Jane Parton

Trenton James Patz

Miles Montgomery Piske

Preston Nicholas Portell

Mara Ann Reehling

Jonathyn Jay Reese

Conner Xavier Ryan

Adalynn Claire Seal

Adeline Mae Taylor

Ethan Edward Tragesser

Colby John Wyrick

Elaynna Ann Marie Young

Kaytlyn Renae Young

TEACHER SPOTLIGHT KATHY MINNICK

Writer / Natalie Platt

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More time on her houseboat. Exploring more national parks including returning to Alaska. Visiting Ireland, France, and England are included in her plans after retirement. When she has time between traveling, she’ll enjoy reading, writing, golfing, bowling, bicycling, and playing the drums - all of her favorite hobbies.

For Kathy Minnick, all of those activities are waiting for her in retirement as soon as the final bell rings and her classroom door closes - time that is well deserved after a 40-year teaching career at Tri-Central High School.

Originally from Crawfordsville, Minnick graduated from Ball State University in 1984, went on to receive her Master of Arts degree in 1989, and returned to her alma mater to obtain an administration certification in 2006.

Fresh out of college, armed with a degree in secondary education and English, Minnick embarked on a teaching career that spanned from teaching sociology and film literature

including beyond the school day. Minnick has directed 12 plays, three musicals, and was a chaperone on the Tri-Central senior trips to Washington, D.C., and New York City for 17 years.

Licensed to teach grades nine through 12, Minnick’s career has seen a variety of class settings.

“Over the years I have taught mythology, drama, novels, etymology, British literature, American literature, English 9, AP English, Dual-Credit Rhetoric and Argument, Dual-Credit Advanced Composition among others,” she says. “I have also coached middle school volleyball and high school track.”

Beyond the pages of a textbook and research, Minnick finds the most rewarding part of her career has been observing her students evolve, learn, and grow.

“When a student makes a realization, something clicks, or discovers a new interest, I hope I contributed,” she says. “It’s rewarding when students discuss or comment immediately - or years later, that a classroom discussion, a writing assignment,

or a literary selection has made a difference or is a fond memory.”

Minnick reflects on her own mentors and influences throughout her life, in the hopes that she has been a positive influence during her career.

“I am fortunate to have had some great teachers and instructors in my life,” she says. “I often reflect on the teachers who inspired me. My mother has always provided input. Over the years, she has been a sounding board. When I am frustrated, she empathizes and guides. She also recognizes my successes.”

Her advice to incoming teachers: listen to your instincts. Classroom management and consistency is the key to teaching and student learning. Be fair.

For students, Minnick leaves simple advice:

“Be kind and do your best,” she says. “Realize that your education is key to achieving your goals. Critical thinking is your responsibility. Avoid assumptions. Be a lifelong learner.”

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