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Panther Print

Western High School, Russiaville, Indiana

Panther PrintWestern High School, Russiaville, Indiana

MAY 2024

Principal's Message

Congratulations to the Class of 2024!


Everyone have a great summer break!!


Go Panthers!!


Mr. Edwards

WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL

Class of 2024 Moves the Tassel

Graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2024 were held at Western High School on May 31. Congratulations!

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WHS Teacher of the Year

Social Studies teacher Luke Waitt was named the Western High School Teacher of the Year. He is the Social Studies department head and leads the department's PLC. At Western, he teaches U.S. History, AP U.S. History, and Economics. Congratulations, Mr. Waitt!

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WHS Staff Member of the Year

Avril Medina was named the Western High School Staff Member of the Year. Mrs. Medina helps ELL students who are learning English as a second language, specializing in Spanish translation. Mrs. Medina also supports numerous activities at Western, where her children attend. Congratulations, Mrs. Medina!

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SADD Offers Driving Safety Program

On May 1, students in grades 10 and 11 took part in the Save a Life Tour, which included two driving simulators (distracted and impaired) and a pledge table where students could sign a banner, receive giveaway items, and take a post survey. The event was for students to learn about driving safely and the consequences that can occur when other things get in the way of driving.

Right: A Western student participates in the driving simulation.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Members of the Student Council provided lunch from Pastariffic and gifts to the teachers and staff during Teacher Appreciation week. Everyone enjoyed the great food and goodies!

Community Day for Seniors

The Environmental Club organized its annual Community Day for Seniors, who helped with various projects in Russiaville. Although it rained, the sponsor Mrs. Metcalf noted, "The kids were great about it and did not complain at all." Below, Madden Wells, Victoria Hillis, and Carmynne Ciscell showed up prepared in rain gear!

SADD Supplies Suckers for SRT Students

Members of the SADD club passed out bags of suckers to each SRT for a sweet treat during finals. Below, Emily Dinn and Sydney Ousley hand out goodies.

Winners of H. Dean Resler Award Announced

Congratulations to the H. Dean Resler Award winners for each class: Ellyse Walden (2026), Kayleigh Turner (2024), Samantha Williams (2027), and Seun Oguntoye (2025). The award is based on academic achievement, citizenship, leadership, and work ethic.

Seniors Grab Their Garb and Walk the Walk

Seniors participated in a final stroll through the halls of WHS on May 20.

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

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Gavin Gifford is Western's Student of the Month

Ms. Smith nominated Gavin Gifford, a senior in her dual credit literature class. Gavin "is always a willing participant and volunteers to answer questions even when he is not called upon. His comments are always beneficial to our discussion." Further, he "shows leadership qualities in his willingness to participate, works well with other students, and takes on projects that showcase his talents." Congratulations, Gavin!

TEACHER/STAFF SPOTLIGHT

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Teacher Spotlight

AUTUMN SMITH Mrs. Smith is fairly close to home at Western. She graduated from Rossville High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Music in Education from Taylor University. She has been teaching for twelve years, the past nine at Western. Before coming to WHS, she taught at Rochester Community School Corporation for three years right out of college. Mrs. Smith enjoys reading, crocheting, yoga, and video games. She hopes to instill in her students the ability “to find joy in one thing they do every day . . . life is meant to be lived with fun and joy!” Western’s choir director, Mrs. Baker, was one who inspired her to pursue a career in music education.
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Staff Spotlight

KAREN FRANKLIN Ms. Franklin has been actively involved in education for over 45 years. At Daleville (Indiana) High School, she played four sports and received the Indiana State Girls Athletic Association award her senior year. She continued her success in sports at Ball State University where she played three sports. After serving as a teacher, coach, and Athletic Director for 38 years, she retired “but missed the students and everything about being in a school setting. So [she] went back into the education field.” She now supervises the Study Hall at WHS and tries to make each student feel “wanted, successful and know that anything in life is possible.” In her down time, she enjoys relaxing at home, cheering on her great nephews in their activities, watching sporting events, and spending time with her family.

ATHLETIC EVENTS

Several Seniors Sign

Congratulations to the following seniors who will continue their athletic pursuits at the next level: Lacy Rathbun - volleyball at Anderson University; Mackenzie York - basketball at Indiana University - Kokomo; Peyton DeWeese - baseball at Vincennes University; Ethan Chapin - baseball at Manchester University; and Deaglan Pleak - football at Kentucky Wesleyan University.

Boys BB Wins Hoosier Conference Tournament with Walk-Off

The varsity boys baseball team was crowned Hoosier Conference Champs after a single by Jason Dickinson scored Braydon Miller in the bottom of the 7th inning of the championship game against Twin Lakes. The boys remained undefeated in conference play and finished the season with a record of 22-5.

Senior Work Paid Off in Baseball

Senior Peyton DeWeese earned All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Girls Softball Clinch Conference - Continue to Roll

The varsity softball squad defeated Niles, MI, 13-6 in the Mishawaka Tourney, where Senior Chloe Linn pitched a complete game. The team also clinched the Hoosier Conference Tournament on May 10. Congratulations!

Softball Semi-State Appearance

The girls softball team topped their Conference championship by beating West Lafayette and winning the Sectional crown! The team hosted Boone Grove in the Regional at the Western softball field and claimed another victory, beating the Wolves 9-7. The team won the first game of the Semi-State match in Twin Lakes beating Norwell 12-5, and advanced to the final game against New Prairie to be played Monday, June 3.

Softball Standout

Sophomore Brynley Erb was chosen to the 1st Team All-State.

Girls Track and Field Run to a Sectional Win

The girls Track and Field team took home the trophy in the Kokomo Sectional. Senior Lacy Rathbun (100m hurdles) and Sophomore Ellyse Walden (shot put and discus) advanced in the Regional round and represented Western in the State meet.

Tennis Camp Sign-ups for the Summer

Coach Quinn and the assistant tennis coaches are offering a summer camp from June 3 - June 7 for all grade levels. See attached flyer for details.

COUNSELOR'S CORNER

SUMMER SCHOOL

Summer school is June 3rd - 26th, from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.


While Mrs. Stout is on maternity leave, students will be split by alphabet - last names A-K with Mrs. Yazel and last names L-Z with Mr. Harmsen. If anything is needed over the summer, please contact your assigned counselor by email.

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WILL ◾ CAN ◾ DO

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/

Debra Kincaid
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