Whitko students pose for a photo during their kayak trip Monday, May 20. Photo provided by Whitko Community Schools.

By Patrick Webb
InkFreeNews

SOUTH WHITLEY — Three programs at Whitko Community Schools are a part of what Amy Evans, recently promoted from Whitko’s high school principal to district curriculum director, described as Whitko’s student centered focus.

Junior High Amazing Race

On Thursday, May 30, Whitko will hold an adventure race for junior high students.

Evans said the race is a mix of the TV show “The Amazing Race,” a scavenger hunt and adventure race. Teams follow a map with clues to find stations with activities or a flag, with a hole punch to show they found the location.

Evans said she does adventure races for fun, and based Whtitko’s amazing race after races she did while at Milford Middle School.

A flag is prepared for Whitko’s amazing race Thursday, May 30.

“Last year we got a grant from D.A.R.E. to put on a D.A.R.E. oriented adventure race for the Whitko seventh and eight graders,” said Evans. “This year we got a grant from the H.A.N.D.S. Foundation in Whitley County. We’re putting on an environmental focus.”

This year’s amazing race is “student driven,” Evans said. Whitko High School environmental science students created several stations and will volunteer during the amazing race, she said.

Evans said the amazing race has 10 activity stations and 10 flags on the route, and will include “fun activities mixed with learning.”

“We don’t want to give too many secrets away, because it’s kinda a surprise for the kids,” said Evans. A few activities she shared include using a compass to unscramble a word and a station to learn about water filtration using water balloons.

The top team will win a basket of candy, Evans said; other door prizes are available for students, such as compasses, to help them remember the race.

“The kids really enjoy it. It’s a lot of teamwork, but it’s also also a way to end the school year on a positive note,” said Evans.

Jarrod Day

Whitko’s Jarrod Day is a fundraiser Whitko holds in honor of Jarrod Lewis. Lewis, then a senior at Whitko, was involved in a vehicle accident in 2009. The Whitko community raised funds to help pay for medical expenses, including a wheelchair lift van. Lewis passed away from his injuries in 2015.

Jarrod Day is run by Whtiko’s National Honors Society in honor of Lewis, said Evans. Jarrod Day has now been extended to a week long event.

Each Jarrod Day has a theme picked by Whitko’s NHS. This year’s theme was “surviving to break,” said Evans.

Freshman and juniors competed against each other for an obstacle course. The winners competed against the winners of the other grade, then against a staff team. 

In the past, Jarrod Day has included dodgeball and volleyball tournaments. This year Evans said staff played against senior students in a basketball tournament and had a volleyball tournament. Evans said the tournament are based on students’ interest.

Another item of the fundraiser is an auction. 

“The neatest part of (Jarrod Day) is students ask teachers to donate either items or experiences,” said Evans. “And on Wednesday, we brought the whole school into the gym and kids pool their money together to bid on these items.”

Evans sponsored a kayak trip; 15 students pooled together to win the trip. Other items include baskets from teachers and community members.

“You can see them up in the stands working with each other to bid on these items,” said Evans. The 2024 Jarrod Day raised over $6,000, which will go to a community member in need picked by students, said Evans.

Evans and three teachers took the winners of the Kayak trip Monday, May 20, before school to the Chain O’ Lakes State Park.

“It was a pretty fun day,” Evans said. “A lot of the kids had never kayaked before, so it was a learning process. But it was fun.”

Peacekeeper Student Group

Another effort of Whitko students is the Peackeeper Group.

Evans explained the group is led by Mike Hanback, Whitko’s NHS staff sponsor and a science teacher. Students are recommended by staff to join who are “approachable (to) their peers,” said Evans, “they’re kids teachers feel kids can talk to.”

Students go to Manchester University’s Koinoia Camp in Pierceton with Hanback for a two and a half retreat and training for peer intermediation and to listen.

“If a student has a conflict or a struggle, they know they can go to these kids to talk to,” said Evans. The peacekeeper students are trained to offer help and to decide if a staff member needs to be involved.

The students meet monthly, during their last month meeting they focused on solutions to support mental health.

One project students thought of is a vending machine which students can place a coin into, provided by a peacekeeper and get a positive note to read, said Evans.

Evans said that if students pursue college or enter the workforce after graduation, “you need to be able to have coping skills to manage when things don’t always go the way you want them to go.”

The peacekeepers show students there’s people they can reach out to, said Evans.

“There’s going to be hard times, and it’s how you deal with that determines how successful you’ll be,” said Evans. “Peacekeepers does a really good way of not only giving kids confidence but also the knowledge that people are there for you. You’re not alone.”

Evans said each event showcased described Whitko’s student centered focus.

“We are truly student centered,” said Evans. “And our staff supports them in ways that a lot of people don’t get to hear about. We love our students, and I know every staff member feels the same way.”