Panther Print

Western High School, Russiaville, Indiana

SEPTEMBER 2024

Principal's Message

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

As we approach the end of the first nine-week grading period, it’s a great time to reflect on all the hard work and progress that has been made so far. Whether it's in the classroom, on the field, or in our extracurricular activities, your dedication has truly shined. With grades soon to be finalized, I encourage everyone to stay focused and give that final push to finish this first part of the school year strong.

Additionally, our fall sports season is nearing its exciting conclusion, and the IHSAA Tournaments are right around the corner. Our student-athletes have put in countless hours of practice, training, and competition, representing our school with pride and sportsmanship. As they prepare to take on new challenges in the upcoming tournaments, let's come together as a school community to cheer them on.

Thank you to everyone—students, staff, and parents—for your continued support. Let’s finish the grading period on a high note and keep the momentum going as we transition into the next chapter of the school year.

Go Panthers!!

Mr. Edwards

WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL

September Student of the Month - Kylie Miller

KYLIE MILLER - NOMINATED BY MRS. DEPEW. Kylie Miller deserves this award for many, many reasons. She is an aide in our KASEC Middle School class. She walked in that first day and immediately started helping with our students. Each day Kylie comes in, helps any student without hesitation, helps teach them every day and generally loves and wants the best for them. Kylie continues to surprise us with the knowledge she shares with our students. The best part is she shares it equally. We have had many good aides in our class but Kylie has set the bar really high and the year has only begun.

Yearbook Class Attends Workshop

On September 10, the Yearbook class attended the Varsity Yearbook Circle City Yearbook Workshop at Indiana Wesleyan University - Indianapolis North Education and Conference Center. The students attended various workshops on writing, layout, and design. Below, members of the class who attended were Mrs. Kincaid, Nakyia Nixon, Bailee Payton, Jackson Reed, Laney Hamilton, Ellyse Walden, Kyndal Binder, and Hardarsh Basraon.

Speaking of Yearbook . . .

The 2023-2024 books are available for pick up in Room 202. If you have already graduated, please email Mrs. Kincaid at dkincaid@western.k12.in.us to arrange to pick up the book in the high school office.

The 2024-2025 books are now on sale through December 31, 2024, for the early-bird price of $65.00. Select the link below to order online.

Yearbook Order Center

prod.yboc.varsity.com

FFA Travels to District Events

On September 11 our FFA group went to the District 5 Kickoff at Sheridan High School for a night of fun! At Sheridan we met our 2024-2025 state officers, made contact with people from other schools in District 5, and learned how to work and communicate as a team. Thank you to all the officers! Below, Addyson is with two students from Northwestern High School.

On September 12 our FFA Skillathon group competed in Logansport, Indiana, on meat cuts, seed, and breeds of goats, sheep, pigs, and cattle. Seniors Brandon Zehring placed 22nd overall, followed by Junior Cambell Robertson who placed 29th.

-Addyson Davis, 9

Padcast Club Off to a "World-Wind" Start

The Padcast Club had the chance to interview and talk with the foreign exchange students of the 2024-25 school year. This proved to be a valuable opportunity for the club to learn about other cultures and share their findings with the school. When asked how the Padcast affects Western High School and the community, club member Natalie Arellano said this: “Padcast informs people about anything. If you want to join a club, we interview people in the club and they tell you what they do . . . Padcast is for informing people, and sharing the world to everyone around us.” The foreign exchange students responded to questions about their home country and what it's like at Western. In response to the question "What has been your favorite thing to do here?" Luisa Calom said, “I think going to a game, it is something totally different from what we do in Spain, and something I have always seen in the movies."

-Jackson Reed, 10

SeptemberPadcast.mov

drive.google.com

Keep It Short and Sweet!

Mr. DeHaven sponsored a "Six-Word Essay Contest" for the high school students. They were asked to write a whole story in just six words. Two students tied for first place!

9th grader Abigail Tupa: "Sadly he changed is to was."
11th grader Cambell Robertson: "NOTICE: No lightsaber battles in office."

Watching the Wildcat and Water

The Environment Club and Environmental Science class took a field trip to the Wildcat Creek on Wednesday, September 18. They began by venturing through the trails and stopping at different stations to explore the Creek. The stations included water testing, electromagnetic fishing, wildlife in the creek, saving water, and a scavenger hunt. At the water testing station, the students tested the creek water for oxygen levels, pH, temperature, and phosphate levels. They then learned about the different fish species in the Wildcat and how to use electromagnetic fishing to stun the fish and tag them. The students even got to explore the creek and search for insects! They participated in an activity that showed the importance of saving water and recognizing future changes in water quality. The last station was a scavenger hunt where the students explored the area, took pictures, and spotted new things! If this doesn’t convince you to join the Environmental Club/class, we don’t know what will. Below, Rachel Rath and Kiley Binkerd examine the ph levels of the water.

-Ellyse Walden, 11 and Laney Hamilton, 11

SADD Candle Light Vigil

The SADD Club hosted their annual Candlelight Vigil on Monday, September 16, at 7:30 p.m. At the Vigil, members designed a paper bag with the name of loved ones or friends who have passed from suicide. When the bags were signed, members lit candles inside the lanterns and set them outside of the WHS Commons. The sponsor provided pizza for the participants and had two guest speakers; one lead the group in a prayer and the other shared a suicide survival story. The survival story was given by the Vice President of the Suicide Prevention Coalition, Christine Kate, pictured below. She shared insights on how to get help if you are struggling with thoughts of suicide.

-Laney Hamilton, 11

Marching Band Hauls in Wins at Westfield and Noblesville

The Marching Panthers started the marching season with "bang," placing first in several categories at the Westfield Competition on September 7. They repeated that success at the Noblesville Black and Gold Marching Invitational on September 21, where they finished first in their class and garnered several awards.

Homecoming Is Here!

Homecoming Week is September 30 through October 4. Don't miss out on the fun: dress up days, pep rally, football game with the crowing of the King and Queen, and the Homecoming Dance.

TEACHER/STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Teacher Spotlight

TABITHA PERSAUD Mrs. Persaud is the new Algebra I teacher at WHS. She previously taught for two years at the middle school level. She attended Park University and University of the Rockies, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Psychology with Criminology Studies. She entered the education field as a substitute teacher, working in a position that would allow her to stay on her kids' schedules. She enjoys “helping our younger generations reach their full potential not only in education but in life, because they are our future.” Mrs. Persaud enjoys working out/CrossFit and reading murder mysteries.

Staff Spotlight

STACEY RAISOR Mrs. Raisor is a new Instructional Assistant in Mr. Guinn’s class. She’s a graduate of Logansport High School and worked for the Logansport Community School Corporation for 18 years prior to coming to Western. As she settles in to the new school year, Mrs. Raisor is looking forward to meeting and working with the Western community and students. She decided to work in the education field because she loves “[w]atching students grow as they go through their school years" and hopes to see them achieve as young adults. In her spare time, she likes to craft, attend concerts, and spend time with her family and friends.

ATHLETIC EVENTS

Tennis Team Wins Conference for Second Straight Year

The boys tennis team won its second straight Hoosier Conference Title. Congratulations!

CC Gets Hardware!

The boys Cross Country took home the trophy at the Maconaquah Invitational.

Golfer Advances to Regional Round

Sophomore Grace Williams secured a spot in Regional play for Western girls. Congratulations!

COUNSELOR'S CORNER

State Honors Mr. Harmsen

Mr. Harmsen received the Indiana Trailblazer of the Year Award by the Indiana School Counselor Association. He was recognized for the impact he has had on the students and community at Western. One of the many ways Mr. Harmsen touches others is by sending individual notes to students and staff throughout the year. Below, Mr. Harmsen with Mrs. Yazel, who nominated him for the award.

SAVE THE DATE!

PSAT is October 15, 2024.

The PSAT will be given to the 9-11 grade students on October 15th. Seniors will need to schedule a college visit or some type of job shadow on that day. They will need to pick up a form for either job shadowing or college visit and have it completed prior to October 12th. If you have any questions, contact someone in Student Services.

GATHER ◾ GROW ◾ GO

Western High School

Principal Steve Edwards

2600 S 600 W

Russiaville, IN 46979

P (765) 883-5541

F (765) 883-7946

https://whs.western.k12.in.us/