A Lincoln Student portraying portrays the school’s namesake.
(Photo by Alyssa Richardson)

Yesterday evening’s Warsaw Community School Board monthly meeting was a fanfare filled with both recognitions and celebration of work done by students and staff. Numerous demonstrations were brought before the board recognizing the work of students at Lincoln, Leesburg, the Warsaw Area Career Center and the Warsaw Community High School Jr. ROTC program.

Recognitions began with Lincoln Elementary students who participated in a recent biography project. Students came before the board to show their work, which included a cardboard cut out of a character they acted out. The students who attended are all in the third grade and represented the top five projects as well as five honorable mentions. Members of the board were able to receive a first hand look at the presentations the students did by talking with them while in character.

Abby Humbarger was next to approach the board with a heartwarming story regarding a student in her class. Humbarger stated that Kaden Sleighter, a student at Leesburg Elementary, came to school one day with an idea he was very passionate about. After seeing custodial staff work hard to keep classrooms and facilities clean, Sleighter suggested creating a day to celebrate and thank them for their efforts. Forming a committee, comprised of two other students, his teacher, mother and Bobby Cleveland of the main office, Sleighter planned a surprise party for the custodians.

When asked how he came up with the idea by Board Member Randy Polston, Sleighter responded, “They work really hard to keep our classrooms clean. I thought, why not have a celebration for them.”

Students pose with Dr. David Hoffert as he relaxes in his new chair.

The Warsaw Area Career Center was next in line. Jason Gibbens, instructor of the introduction to manufacturing course at the school brought several students to display and explain a recent project in the class. According to Gibbens, students created 51 chairs, painted both by students and instructors, during the manufacturing course. Chairs were created for several administrators, including Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert, who proudly accepted and sat in his chair during the meeting. These chairs are available for purchase at the WACC.

In full uniform, members of the WCHS JROTC program visited the board with a status report on the program. Battalion Commander Gary Spratt led the presentation explaining that since the creation of the program in 2013, students have begun to lead classes as well as leadership training. Spratt explained the progression of student uniforms, from orange, tucked-in JRTOC shirts and jeans to the blue suits currently worn today.

In addition, Spratt noted that competition teams have been formed within the JROTC program with one competing this year. Teams include the raider team, a physical fitness team; the drill team, which provides rifle performances; and the color-guard, which acts as a ceremonious team. The color-guard recently competed against over 20 other schools and received fifth place at their first ever competition.

Spratt noted the emphasis on community outreach the program has and many students remarked on how their peers and instructors have become family to them. Spratt noted goals for the future include having more cadets sign up, developing a drill team, expanding community outreach and expanding the program.