After the ceremony, WHS student Angelica Moyer celebrates with her mentor Danni Blackburn of Youth For Christ.

SOUTH WHITLEY — A 92 percent graduation rate, one to one technology and serving two counties is no small feat. Adding to that list of accomplishments, this year Whitko has been recognized by the Indiana Department of Education as a Performance Qualified High School.

What does it take to be a Performance Qualified High School? According to the Indiana DOE, “In order to be eligible for the performance qualified program, a high school must receive an A for the previous school year. A high school remains designated as a qualified high school until it either receives a C or lower for one school year, or receives a B or lower for two consecutive school years.” 

Whitko High School has been an “A” rated school four of the last five years.

In addition, WHS recognized National Honor Society Inductees and celebrated the graduating class of 2018 seniors. During the ceremony, new inductees took a pledge demonstrating their commitment to the program. As is their tradition, exiting seniors shared memories and each recognized an esteemed faculty, staff or significant leader within the community who has impacted their life throughout their education at Whitko. The service concluded with refreshments in the WHS foyer.

Principal John Snyder took the stage to congratulate the students, sharing, “I said it out in the hallway, and I know all of you heard it, but I want to say it in front of your parents. I’m proud of you. I’m proud of your hard work, but mostly, I’m proud of your character. I’m proud of who you are. And tonight, the senior’s testimonies just speak to the heart of what we try to be here at Whitko.”

WHS Principal John Snyder welcomes a new inductee to the National Honor Society after they have signed their name into the official register.

Students who are a part of the National Honor Society are taught the four pillars which include: leadership, scholarship (academically holding a GPA of 8.75 or higher), character and service. Many of the students this year had exceeded the service requirement of 15 community service hours easily with 38 members contributing over 1,200 hours. Six members alone had over 50 hours each. 

To this, Snyder challenged next year’s NHS members to beat that number of 1,200 hours next year. And then shared more directly why, “I don’t say that as just a goal to beat a number, because it’s only a number, but the reason I say that is because I challenge you to make a bigger difference in the community. And knowing you, and knowing your hearts, I’m sure you can make that happen.”

The NHS at Whitko is led by President Austin Nettrouer, senior, under the instruction and supervision of WHS teachers Molly Maish and Brandy Smith.