🐾WHS ROAR REPORT🐾

Our high school staff is so supportive of seniors and their futures that they literally put themselves on the line—face first! Students who completed the FAFSA earned the chance to pie a staff member of their choice, and we are proud to share that 98% of the Class of 2026 has completed a FAFSA.

Thank you to our incredible staff for being such great sports and always going the extra mile (and taking a pie or two)!

The Watervliet Public Schools Board of Education is pleased to announce the selection of Mr. Craig Thornton, current Principal of Parchment High School, as the district’s next Superintendent. Mr. Thornton will officially assume his duties on July 1, 2026.

The Board conducted a comprehensive and thoughtful search process, initially interviewing six highly qualified candidates before narrowing the field to two finalists. Following a final round of interviews, stakeholder engagement opportunities, and thorough deliberation, the Board reached consensus in selecting Mr. Thornton to lead the district.

"We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Thornton to our leadership team." Said Board President John Oliphant. "Throughout the highly competitive selection process, he consistently demonstrated the vision and expertise necessary to build upon our district’s strong foundation. We are confident his leadership will elevate our schools to even greater success and provide our students with the exceptional education they deserve."

Mr. Thornton brings a strong background in instructional leadership and school administration, along with a student-centered approach and a clear vision for fostering a positive and collaborative school culture. His experience as a high school principal has prepared him to lead with a focus on academic excellence, safety, and expanded opportunities for all students.

"I’m honored and excited for the opportunity to serve as the next superintendent of Watervliet Public Schools." Said Mr. Thornton. "Watervliet is a district with strong pride, strong traditions, and a clear commitment to students, and I look forward to working alongside staff, families, and the community to build upon that foundation and help lead the district into its next chapter."

The Board of Education would like to thank all candidates who participated in the process, as well as the staff and community members who provided valuable input throughout the search.

As of today, Watervliet Athletics is now streaming all home games for varsity team sports on Hudl TV. A few years ago we started with football and soccer, then basketball and volleyball, and then as of today we are now streaming baseball and softball. We are the only school in the area with this capability. There is no fee to watch any of the content on Hudl TV.

This was a big project of BEN LOSHBOUGH'S and his team and we are very thankful and proud.

Games will be streaming at this link all season long!

https://fan.hudl.com/usa/mi/watervliet/organization/14888/watervliet-high-school/schedule?date=2026-03-22T04%3A00%3A00.000Z&range=Week&s=U2NoZWR1bGVFbnRyeVB1YmxpY1N1bW1hcnk2OWI4MTZkYjRlMTYyNmEzODRiODhhOGI%3D

The English classes participated in a reading challenge this month. Each ELA teacher totaled up the number of pages their students read independently. They were tallied in the English hallway for everyone to see. Each book on the bulletin board represents 100 pages of reading. However, the bulletin board is not big enough to represent the number of pages everyone read. Together all students in the building read over 60,000 pages in the month of March! Congratulations to Mrs. Riedinger's classes for coming in 1st place! They will be having popcorn during the read-in day on Thursday.

We’re excited to showcase the incredible creativity of our students at an upcoming Pop-Up Art Show!

Join us on Friday, April 10 in the High School Media Center anytime between 8:15 AM and 2:00 PM to view a variety of student artwork. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the talent and hard work happening in our classrooms.

We encourage staff, students, and parents to stop by throughout the day, support our student artists, and enjoy the amazing work on display. Parents should enter through the front door of the building and sign in in the main office.

🐾 Don’t miss it—our Panthers are incredibly talented!

We are proud to share some exciting news from Watervliet High School! One of our outstanding students has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) Excellence in Youth Leadership Award.

This prestigious recognition highlights the student’s commitment to the JMG program, as well as their dedication to their educational and career goals. This honor is awarded to students who truly represent the best of JMG through their leadership, perseverance, and positive impact.

Their story serves as an inspiration to both their peers and our school community, and we are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished.

As part of this recognition, the student has also been invited to join the Youth Solutions Youth Advisory Council, where they will have the opportunity to help shape and strengthen JMG programming across the state. This is a testament to their leadership and the value of their voice.

Additionally, they will be recognized at the annual Career Development Conference (CDC), where students from across Michigan are celebrated for their hard work and achievements.

Please join us in congratulating this student on this well-deserved honor. We are proud to have them represent Watervliet High School and look forward to all they will continue to accomplish in the future!

Attention Juniors and Seniors: Prom is right around the corner. Prom Dresses and Suits can be expensive. Good news, we have options in various sizes and colors.

We are offering appointments via email. Please email tadams@watervlietps.org if you are interested.

My name is Mattie Medlin. I am a sophomore, and I live with my mom, stepdad, and two sisters.

My favorite teacher at the school would have to be Mrs. Riedinger or Mr. Andrews. I enjoy both of their classes. They are pretty easy classes, and I enjoy the way they teach.

My favorite class is history. I think what we learn in there is very interesting.

Right now, I am playing softball and am really liking my coaches and team.

Outside of school, I enjoy being outside, traveling, fishing, and camping.

After high school, my plan is to do something with animals or build a business with my friends. Thank you.

My family consists of my mom, Robyn; my little sister, Sapphire; my stepdad, Cliff; and our cat, Prada.

I don’t have a favorite teacher because each one is unique and teaches in their own special way.

My favorite class would be either science or math, as they are both enjoyable and provide plenty of problems to solve. I have been taking classes at Berrien RESA’s Math and Science Center and recently had the opportunity to participate in cancer research there.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, and making things.

After high school, I’m planning on going into physics and/or teaching, but you never know where life will take you.

I’m proud to be a WHS Panther because everyone is supportive and there are many fantastic opportunities.

My family consists of my dad, Dennis; my mom, Kassie; and my brother, Jacob, who graduated from WHS in 2018. My favorite teachers are Mr. Andrews and Mrs. Lefor. They are my favorite teachers because they are both really nice, but they also push us to succeed.

My favorite class is either history or art. I really like the overall subject of history, but I also enjoy art because I get to decide what I want to create.

I am involved in volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter, and softball in the spring. I also play travel softball year-round.

In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with family and friends, reading, baking, and playing with my dogs.

After high school, I plan on going to college for four years and then going into either nursing or law school.

I am proud to be a WHS Panther because they care and they plan to help us succeed in our futures.

My family consists of my parents, my brother, and our two dogs. My favorite teachers are Mrs. Hollandsworth, and Mrs. Otoole because I really like both of their classes, and they are both great teachers. My favorite classes are Band, and Anatomy. Band is one of my favorites because it is super fun. Anatomy is one of my favorite classes because I think learning about the human body is very interesting. I am involved in marching band. In my free time I like to go to the barn, and ride horses. After high school I want to go to college to become a veterinarian. I am proud to be a WHS panther because our school has a lot of opportunities.

My name is Alexis. I live with my aunt, who is like a second mom to me. She has been a huge impact on my life, helping shape me into the person I am today, and I am forever grateful for her taking me in when I had nowhere else to go.

I would say my favorite teacher is Ms. Irmen. My reason is because she is always kind and understanding. She always helps me when I am in need, and she was kind to me before I was even her student. I remember my sophomore year when I was sad, she came in and cheered me up.

I also enjoy ASL as well as JMG. She is also my teacher in there as well. JMG (Jobs for Michigan Graduates) has given me volunteer hours, as well as the opportunity to make people smile and help those who need it.

In my free time, I enjoy listening to music and hanging out with my friends.

When I graduate, I want to be an ASL interpreter or a preschool teacher. ASL, the class I’m in, will help me in college if I do decide to become an ASL interpreter.

I am proud to be a Watervliet Panther because it gives me great opportunities. Thank you!

My family contains me, my parents, my sister, and my brother.

My favorite teacher is probably Mrs. Hollandsworth because she has been supporting me in band since 5th grade, and some of my favorite memories in school have come from band.

I think my favorite class right now is my Calculus II class through LMC because I have always loved math, and it gives me a challenge that other classes may not provide.

I participate in both the marching band and the robotics team. In the marching band, I was able to gain skills by leading others in my section on our way to winning two state titles in Flight V over the last few years. In robotics, I have been able to explore engineering topics that I will go into after high school and work together with other students to compete and grow.

In my free time, I like to play video games by myself and with my friends.

After high school, I will be attending the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering, where I hope to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering.

I am proud to be a WHS Panther because I am able to show how our school opens up opportunities for everyone.

Hello, my name is Natalaya Desjardin! My parents are Justin and Laura Desjardin. My dad is a retired Marine Corps vet and works in GSS (Global Strategic Sourcing) for Whirlpool Corporation. My mom stays at home and is raising my little brother, Rowan, who is 3 years old. I am the oldest, and my other siblings are Paityn and Jessie.

My favorite teacher is Mrs. Brush because she has been my teacher since 6th grade and has always been there for me. She has also taught me how to be a strong leader. Her class is my favorite because I love to sing, and I am currently the president of concert choir.

I am also the vice president of student council and NHS, and I am a member of the Student Advisory Council. In addition, I am the captain of varsity soccer and the captain of basketball and football cheer.

Outside of school, I enjoy playing my acoustic and electric guitar, piano, and drawing.

After high school, I plan to attend WMU’s aviation program in hopes of becoming an airline pilot.

I am proud to be a WHS Panther because Watervliet has given me many opportunities and set me up for success!

We have an exciting opportunity for members of the Class of 2028! The Michigan High School Athletic Association is now accepting applications for its Student Advisory Council (SAC).

This is a big deal—serving on this council gives you the chance to represent student voice across the state, work with other student leaders, and make a real impact on high school athletics in Michigan. It’s also an outstanding resume builder.

🗓 Application Deadline: Monday, April 20

📄 Applications can be found on MHSAA.com and submitted via email.

If you are a leader, want to get involved at a higher level, and are ready to represent Watervliet with Panther Pride, this is a great opportunity for you.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please reach out.

🐾 GO PANTHERS!

If you plan on playing a sport in college next year please let Coach Edie and MR. GUILLEAN know as soon as you plan on committing. The athletic department would like to help celebrate you with a Signing Day held on campus.

The sooner you let us know, the sooner we can begin organizing the event.

GO PANTHERS!

In a match that showcased their control from start to finish, the Watervliet girls soccer team secured a 1-0 victory in a game over Buchanan that scarcely reflected their dominance. From the opening whistle, Watervliet dictated play, controlling possession, creating numerous scoring opportunities, and keeping their opponent pinned in their own half. Despite the low final score, the team’s offensive pressure and defensive organization left little doubt about their superiority on the field. The lone goal would come midway through the second half, by sophomore Katelyn Brown, who would tap in a ricocheted cross from Natalaya Desjardin. The goal would be enough for the Panthers to secure the win on their season opener. After the break, the team will travel away to Covert for non-conference matchup.

🐾 WATERVLIET HIGH SCHOOL 🐾

🌟 MARCH 2026 STUDENT OF THE MONTH NOMINEES 🌟

🎉 Congratulations to all of our nominees!
Your hard work, leadership, and Panther Pride are being recognized!

As we return from spring break, we want to take a moment to reset and recommit to our school expectations so that everyone can learn in a focused, respectful environment.

Over the past several weeks, we’ve provided reminders and grace as students adjusted to the dress code. Beginning after spring break, those reminders will transition to consistent enforcement. If a staff member observes a dress code concern—such as a visible midsection, belly button, or clothing worn off the shoulder—it will result in a referral and a detention.

Our goal is not to be punitive, but to ensure clarity and consistency for all students. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a positive and distraction-free learning environment.

Thank you for doing your part, Panthers—let’s finish the year strong! 🐾

We want to give you a heads-up and help everyone get prepared for an upcoming change. A new state law will require that cell phones are not allowed in classrooms at any time—for any reason. This includes before the bell rings as class is starting.

To help everyone adjust smoothly, we are asking you to begin practicing this expectation now. Please keep your phone in your locker and turned off during class time, and do not bring it into the classroom.

This is about creating the best possible learning environment for everyone, and we appreciate your effort in getting ahead of the change.

Let’s be proactive and lead the way, Panthers! 🐾

We are proud to announce that Watervliet High School has nominated senior Keira Tremblay for the Herald-Palladium Academic All-Star Award!

This prestigious recognition highlights some of the best and brightest seniors in Berrien County, with only 15 students selected county-wide to represent the Class of 2026.

Keira Tremblay is a senior at Watervliet Public High School and the daughter of Joshua and Wendy Tremblay. She is an outstanding student and leader who has been highly involved throughout her high school career. Keira has participated in volleyball, basketball, and track and field, serving as a captain in all three sports. She is also an active member of Student Advisory Council, Student Council (serving as treasurer), and National Honor Society (serving as secretary), and has been a Freshmen Mentor and a member of the Berrien RESA Whole-Child Advisory. In addition, she attended the HOBY Leadership Seminar.

🏆 OUTSTANDING SENIOR BOY AND 🏆 OUTSTANDING SENIOR GIRL

✨ NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS! ✨

If you have shown:
📚 Strong academics
🤝 Positive involvement
🏆 Leadership at WHS

👉 We encourage you to apply!

📍 HOW TO APPLY

📝 Pick up your application at the
Main Office Front Desk

⏰ DEADLINE

Monday, April 24th at 3:10 PM

🌟 WHAT THIS HONOR REPRESENTS

This award recognizes seniors who truly represent:
✔ Excellence
✔ Character
✔ Leadership
✔ Panther Pride

🐾 LEAVE YOUR LEGACY 🐾

APPLY TODAY!

The JMG students recently had the opportunity to give back to their community by visiting North School, where they read to 3rd–5th grade students. Through this experience, they served as positive role models while promoting the importance of literacy and education. The visit allowed JMG students to build leadership and communication skills while creating meaningful connections with younger learners. Their time at North School was a rewarding experience for both groups, fostering confidence, encouragement, and a shared love of reading.

The Seal of Biliteracy testing will take place on April 7 at 8:10 AM in the Media Center.

If you would like to try again—or take the test for the first time—this is a great opportunity to earn a valuable certification on your diploma that recognizes your language skills.

If you are interested in testing, please email Ms. Powers to sign up. I’m excited to see how many of our Panthers take advantage of this opportunity!

Watervliet High School’s Robotics Team, Pantron-X #9758 fought through so many adversities and hardships as they competed at the 2026 FIRST in Michigan (FiM) District Berrien Springs Event that was held March 21 - 22 at Berrien Springs High School. However, Pantron-X showed their endurance and perseverance and was the second alliance pick of Alliance 1. They had the honor of being partnered with Team #6002 ZooBotix, Team #4237 Lance-A-Bot, and Team #6588 Counter-torque, winning the finals. In addition, the team won the Creativity Award for the way they chose to design their obot with the wiring on the bottom, covering it with Lexan to allow for additional build space, while protecting the electrical components of their robot, Robarticus. Pantron-X's record was 10-5-0 for this event and brought home their first "Blue Banner", medals, two trophies, and two plaques for their achievements.

The team is scheduled to compete at the FiM District Battle Creek Event on March 28 to March 29, 2026, in an effort to qualify for the State Championship.

Way to go, Watervliet High School Robotics, Pantron-X!

If you ran XC in the fall or are currently running track, have a 3.5 GPA, and are going to college next fall, you qualify for the SJBH Scholarship. Please see the information found at the link below. If you plan on applying please let Mr. Guillean know!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jzTZr0qZrtuxniq1GzlPkLj025V4eGDM

The Wood Family Summer Arts Scholarship will provide financial support for students to experience summer camps, intensives or programs that explore an artistic discipline. Two scholarships of up to $1,500 each are available.

Artistic disciplines that would be considered include but are not limited to:

• Instrumental and vocal music;
• Dance;
• Visual arts such as painting, sculpting and photography;
• Theater arts such as acting, directing and costume design.

Eligible applicants:

• Any Berrien County student entering 9th-12th grade in Fall 2026.

Applications due April 30, 2026.

To learn more or to apply for the Wood Family Summer Arts Scholarship go here: https://www.berriencommunity.org/WoodFamilyArtsScholarship

Thank you!

Susie

Susan Matheny

Program Director

At Watervliet High School, the safety of our students, staff, and families is always our top priority. Recently, we have received several reports of students not driving safely in the student parking lot.

We want to take a moment to remind all families and student drivers of our expectations. The parking lot is a shared space with both vehicles and pedestrians, and it is essential that all students drive with caution and care.

Students who are reported by a parent or staff member for:

• Driving too fast

• Driving recklessly

• Driving through the grass

will lose their privilege to park on school property.

We ask that you please take a few moments to talk with your student about the importance of safe driving while on campus. Driving responsibly helps ensure that everyone arrives and leaves school safely each day.

Thank you for your continued support in keeping our school community safe.

Please complete the form below. If you do not complete the form, a spot will not be reserved for you. If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Dawson. https://forms.gle/qxRCgVfais3R8Ne27

Registration is now open for 26-27 classes at Lake Michigan College! If you are interested, please see Mrs. Tyler to grab registration forms and look at class options.

See some current WPS students and alumni in this musical phenomenon based on Daniel Wallace's novel and Tim Burton's acclaimed film has enchanted audiences worldwide with the tall tales and deep truths of Edward Bloom's remarkable life.

Giants. Witches. A love story for the ages. And at the center of it all, a son's quest to know his father before it's too late.

Get tickets for this limited engagement today!
LMC students get free admission, 18 and under $5
https://www.themendelcenter.com/events/detail.html?calendarid=253

This AI tutor is for high school students to have easy access to SAT-like practice problems as they prepare for the test. All that students have to do is click on the link to the Google Gemini gem and ask it for either an ELA or math question. Students can drill down to concepts that they are struggling with, as well, asking the AI for questions on vocabulary or even trigonometry. The program will also assist students to understand their mistakes if they make them.

https://gemini.google.com/gem/6f855164b4a5?ts=69a0a726

Please thank Mr. Dimino for creating this for you !!

See scholarships below.

📚 After-School Homework Help – Tuesday–Thursday

We encourage all students to take advantage of our after-school homework help program, which is available every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until 4:15 PM.

This support time provides students with a quiet, structured environment to complete homework, study, and receive extra help when needed — all with no interruptions. The location is announced daily during morning announcements, so students know exactly where to report.

We strongly recommend helping your child build this into their routine early in the semester. Developing the habit of staying after school for focused work time can make a big difference in organization, stress levels, and academic success.

If your child needs a calm place to work, extra academic support, or simply time to stay caught up, after-school homework help is a great option!

At Watervliet High School, student safety is our top priority. We want every Panther to feel safe and supported while at school.

To help with this, we have created the Panther Hotline — a simple way for students to report a safety concern if they ever feel uncomfortable speaking directly to an administrator or teacher.

By clicking the link below, students can anonymously share their concern. As soon as a report is submitted, Ms. Powers receives an immediate email notification so that the situation can be addressed quickly.

🔗 https://forms.gle/YH6RG4pnJzsZBHtj9

Please encourage your student to use this resource if they ever feel unsafe or see something concerning. Together, we can ensure that WHS continues to be a safe place for all of our Panthers.

Full Day

Period 1 8:10-9:02 (52 min)

Period 2 9:07-10:01 (54 min to include announcements)

Period 3 10:06-10:57 (51min)

Lunch A 10:57-11:27 (30 min)

Lunch A Class 11:32-12:23 (51 min)

Lunch B 11:27-11:57 (30 min)

Lunch B Class 11:02-11:22/11:52-12:23 (51 min)

Lunch C 11:53-12:23 (30 + 5 min passing time)

Lunch C Class 11:02-11:53 (51 min)

Period 5 12:28-1:19 (51 min)

Period 6 1:24-2:15 (51 min)

Period 7 2:20-3:10 (50 min)

Half Day Schedule

Period 1 8:10-8:36

Period 2 8:41-9:06

Period 3 9:11-9:36

Period 4 9:41-10:07

Period 5 10:12-10:38

Period 6 10:43-11:09

Period 7 11:14-11:40

Early Release Schedule

Period 1 8:10-8:45

Period 2 8:50-9:24

Period 3 9:29-10:03

Period 4 10:08-10:42

Period 5

A Lunch 10:47-11:17

A Class 11:17-11:51

B Class 10:47-11:21

B Lunch 11:21-11:51

Period 6 11:56-12:30

Period 7 12:35-1:10