Left is Akron Elementary School Principal Chrissy Mills. Also pictured is Amy Roe, executive director of the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce.

AKRON — Students and staff of Akron Elementary School were basking in the warmth of recognition Monday night, May 14, during the regular board meeting of the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation’s Board of School Trustees.

Playing host to the meeting, Akron Elementary School Principal Chrissy Mills presented student achievements during the board’s Spotlight on the Valley presentation. Following that, which included highlights of achievements from throughout the corporation, the school and its staff were recognized by the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce with its annual Shining Star Award. The award was presented to the school for its staff performance over the past several years while the school underwent a massive construction project. The board meeting featured a large contingent of Akron school staffers, many of whom did not know why they were there.

“I think you’ll notice a lot of Akron Elementary School staff members here tonight and I don’t think they know why they’re here,” said Superintendent Brett Boggs as he introduced Amy Roe, executive director of the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s fun to put a spotlight on Akron,” Roe said.

“Today, I have the honor of honoring the Akron Elementary School staff [members] for their flexibility, durability and tenacity while they worked on making this one of the most beautiful facilities in Fulton County. We appreciate everything you went through to educate the students and keep business as usual.”

Mills accepted the award on behalf of the school.

“It was a mess around here for two years, and then we had teachers moving three times to different classrooms this year,” Mills said. “Nothing was ever said to me and they did not complain and everybody pitched in. We were here on Saturdays, we were sometimes here on Sundays and everybody just pitched in and we helped every person in this building get to their home. I could not ask for a better staff then you guys,” she said.

Spotlight on Akron Elementary School

During the Spotlight on the Valley, Mills coordinated a presentation that recognized a large number of Akron Flyers for achievements in arts and academic fields. The following were some of the presentations and students recognized:

Circle the State with Song

Circle the State with Song is a statewide children’s choral festival created in 1989. Participants in each of the 13 locations throughout the state are chosen by their music teachers to be members of select choirs. The students were led by music teacher Julie Baxter. On Feb. 10, the Akron participants joined 200 area elementary students at Wabash’s Honeywell Center for a day-long event that featured a guest clinician and an afternoon performance. Students participating from Akron included Karegan Callahan, Hailie Charles, Sarah Finney, Dewey Gillman, Sarah Gross, Genevieve Heller, Trinity Johnston, Nash Miller, Temperance Prater, Ella Sandbakken, Olivia Shepherd, Elise Smith, Carlee Snyder, Oliver Trigg, Avery Wagoner and Kyndra Wright.

Jonas Scott won the fifth-grade banner competition.

Psi Iota Xi Banner Competition

Students from the school competed in a banner competition designed to promote art and showcase artists in Fulton County schools. The team members included:

Kindergarten — Keylei Bucher, Micah Ekhoff, Kasey Ortiz and Luke Pritchett. First Grade — Valentina Luva-Troche, Alayna Parker, Makynna Wright. Second Grade — Savana Miller, Bella Parker, Julieta Ramirez. Third Grade — Veronica Morales, Juli Ruiz, Colby Seaney. Fourth Grade — Isaac Malagon, Jenna Prater, K.C. Shriver. Fifth Grade — Mercedes Herrera, Evelyn Ramirez, Jonas Scott.

Scott won the fifth-grade contest and his art will be made into a banner that will hang on Main Street in Rochester.

Hoosier Spell Bowl Team

Akron Elementary School’s participants in the Nov. 16 Spell Bowl at Wabash included Alivia Bucher, Gunnar Crispen, Brent Miller, Cruz Nunez, Natalia Ortiz, Maris Overbey, Autumn Parker, Jack Parker, Cassie Rich, Andres Rosas, Julian Rosas and Elise Smith. Jack Parker, Miller and Rich were perfect spellers during the event and the team placed first in its division. The team was coached by Andrew Murphy.

M.A.T.H. Team

Akron students participated in the 22nd Annual Hoosier M.A.T.H. Bowl at Honeywell Center in Wabash. The team placed first. Team members included Weston Brown, Dewey Gillman, Sarah Gross, Genevieve Heller, Kyra Kiser, Libby Love, Brent Miller, Natalia Ortiz, Cassie Rich, Jake Scacco, Betty Shepherd, Elise Smith, Marcus Smith, Mason Trosper and Avery Wagoner.

Akron Student Council

Akron’s student council was selected by the Indiana Association of Student Councils and IASC Honor Council for the 19th consecutive year. Honor Council status is given to those councils that demonstrate a commitment to all students through hardwork, leadership and commitment to the school community. Akron council members include:

Third Grade — Efrain Arroyo, Maycee Koch, Hunter Stage, Parker Evans, Max Harsh, Colby Seaney, Veronica Morales, Owen Omondi and Hunter Paxton.

Fourth Grade — Alexis Elliott, Kyra Kiser, Wes Parker, Jenna Prater, Jacob Scacco, Anna Sterk, Christian Guzman, Cruz Nunez and Maris Overbey.

Fifth Grade — Sarah Finney, Ava Neer, Taylor McGriff, Karegan Callahan, Ian Cooksey, Ella Sandbakken, Kolton Seaney, Gunnar Crispen, Nash Miller, Temperance Prater and Elise Smith.

Robotics Team

The AK-Robotics Team constructed a robot and competed in the VEX IQ Challenge elementary competition. The team competed in three events at Maconaquah, Plymouth and Mississinewa school. The team members include Kolton Seaney, Marcus Smith, Julian Rosas, Karegan Callahan, Evelin Ramirez, Trinity Johnson, Hailey Charles, Brooklyn Cooper, Gunnar Crispen and Sarah Finney. The team was led by Mirannda Figert and Ryan Adams.