NORTH CENTRAL PARKE NEWS

Ashlynn Bettis, Spencer Stone, Oakley Pound, Teagan Pound, and Hana Stonebraker

The Amazing Shake competition at Parke Heritage Middle School was a remarkable event held on Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15. In its second year, earning the Amazing Shake title was Oakley Pound. Other top five finishers were Ashlynn Bettis, Spencer Stone, Teagan Pound, and Hana Stonebraker.

This event offered students a unique opportunity to hone their professional skills and prepare for future success. They rotated through 12 fast-paced stations, thinking on their feet and showing off their amazing interpersonal skills. From delivering heartfelt pep talks and navigating corporate interviews, to mastering the perfect handshake and handling ethical dilemmas—these students proved they are ready for anything the real world throws their way.

All PHMS students participated in the preliminary rounds, where they navigated through a series of stations designed to test and improve their skills in various scenarios. These stations included dealing with an angry customer, product promotion, staying calm in an emergency situation, handling a phone call as well as other similar skill stations.

The top 33 students advanced to the second round. During this stage, they faced a panel where they answered a variety of questions, showcasing their poise and ability to think on their feet. Eleven students progressed to the semi-final round. In this round, contestants were paired with a fifth grade student. The contestant’s task was to instruct the fifth grader to build a standing tower using index cards. The contestants had to overcome distractions and other obstacles during the building process. This setting allowed them to demonstrate their conversational and leadership skills.

The competition culminated in a live session in front of the entire student body. This final round involved the top five contenders answering a question posed to them in a three to five minute speech..

The Amazing Shake competition was an invaluable experience for PHMS students, equipping them with the tools and confidence needed to excel in professional settings. The event not only celebrated the students' achievements but also reinforced the importance of developing strong interpersonal skills for future success.

A big thank you to the volunteers who assisted with judging this event: Brock McMullen, Heather Thompson, Nick Sauter, Robert Barger, Jason Games, Sharon Malone, Greg Olsuka, Debra Olsen, Jade Warren, DeLisa Schelsky, Stephanie Studebaker, Beth Martin, Josh Mundell, Jen Schuch, Nate Thurman, and Brandon Berry.

The Parke Heritage Drama Department presented “Sherlock Holmes” on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11.

Cast and crew members are front- Hayley Montgomery, Allison Busenbark, Scout Marsolf, Keeli Hall, Bentley Godfrey, Bryleigh Lamb, and Scarlett Rose; middle- Laney Crowder, Mason Barger, Mason Brister, Ella Lacy, Libby Johnson, and Savanna York; back- Yani Harris, Taylor Snell, Novelody DeBord, Kenley Martin, Cole McVay, Elijah Thompson, Lucas Hutchens, Jaxton Shannon, Raiden Stewart, and Lorelei Long.

On Thursday, April 9, the Parke Heritage High School Landscape Management Class took their skills out of the classroom and into the community! Students spent the day doing hands-on landscaping—including raking leaves, clearing brush, and applying fresh mulch—at various area homes and businesses. It was a fantastic opportunity for the group to practice their techniques in the real world while giving back to the community.

Members of the Landscaping and Advanced Plant and Soil Sciences Class are Emily Jones, Ella Norman, Abby Mathis, Greysen Sapp, Wesley Pratt, Carter Martin, Colton McCormick, David VanHook, Lane Helderman, and Logan Mathis.

Students in the Parke Heritage High School Landscape Management, Advanced Plant and Soil Science, and the Precision Agriculture classes traveled to the Rockville Rotary Community Garden on Friday, April 10 to help prepare the garden for spring planting. Students helped lay mulch, clean up flowerbeds, tilled the plots, and painted the fence.

Assisting with the Parke County Community Garden were Mrs. Mandy Phillips, Greysen Sapp, Ella Norman, Anthony Blackburn, Carter Martin, Logan Mathis, Lane Helderman, Cooper Kelly, Colton McCormick, Emily Jones, Chazton Childers, Abby Mathis, Easton McDaniel, and Mrs. Jaydan Dudley.

The Parke Heritage Middle School softball team won their Early Bird Softball Tournament held on Saturday, April 11.
The team defeated Riverton Parke, 15-2 and Owen Valley, 4-3 to claim the championship trophy.

Team members are Manager Oakley Pound, Vinny Bonomo, Kyndal Gordon, Aria Foxworthy, Kennedy Mager, and Charlee Williams; middle- Jenny Benjamin, Cobie McCrory, Zoey Blystone, Lauren Burks, Ashlynn Bettis, Landrie Frazier, Allie Sauter, Chloe Branson, Aubree Martin, Emma Norman, Manager Lainey Bryant, Preslee Reed; and Coach Bill Bettis; back- Coach Larry Burks and Coach Nick Sauter.

TRES Math Bowl team members are front- Kalli Hall and Evie Mundell; back- Kaileena White, Nolan Lamb, Keegan Burgess, Kamden Cole, Abi Cagle, Steven Doty, Hunter Stonebraker, and Teegan Woodard. The team is coached by Alicia Mathis.

The Rockville Elementary School and Turkey Run Elementary School Math Bowl Teams competed in the district contest held on Tuesday, April 14.

The competition focused on algebra and covered standards in grades 6-8. Students are expected to have standards in grades K-5 mastered. Questions generally consisted of 6-8 standards. There are four rounds with eight questions in each round.

RES Math Bowl team members are front- Dani Hoke, Landry Clapp, Cora Swaim, Brooke Busenbark, Claire Baldwin, and Mason Martin; back- Kowen Capps, Jaxon Martin, Abi Winters, Griffin Woods, Ozzie Rose, Connor Faust, Henry Overpeck. The team is coached by Toni Hampton.

Turkey Run Elementary School students were treated to a visit from author Jeffrey Ebbeler on Wednesday, April 15.

With over 60 books under his belt—from picture books to graphic novels—he had so much creativity to share. 🎨
During his visit, he showed our students the stages of writing a story, read from his books, and guided everyone through a super fun art activity!

Books 📚 and food! 🍨

Turkey Run Elementary School held their Literacy Night on Wednesday, April 15.

Guests traveled around to various stops around the school, which included the art show, the book fair, author visit and Winn-Dixie party.

Families with three or four-year-old children are invited to enroll their children in the Wolfpack Preschool as a part of North Central Parke Schools. Beginning in the fall of 2026, the Preschool will be housed in the new Early Childhood addition at Rockville Elementary School.

Registration dates are Wednesday, March 25 from 5:30- 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, March 31 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 2 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. All registration times will be held at Rockville Elementary.

The child must be at least three years old by December 1, 2026 to enroll. Registration is open to all families. All meals and snacks are provided at no additional cost. CCDF and On My Way Pre-K vouchers are accepted. Also, scholarships for enrollment are available.

For more information or questions please contact Marci Graves, Early Childhood Director, at gravesm@ncp.k12.in.us or 765-597-2748 or visit the NCPC website: Preschool Enrollment

Rockville Elementary School and Turkey Run Elementary School are still accepting enrollments for fall of 2026 kindergarten students.

The child must be five years old on or before August 1, 2026.

All students will be required to have a kindergarten screening. Parents need to reach out to their school to sign up for a time to bring their child to the school for the screenings.

If you need more information or have any questions, please contact the RES school office at 765-569-5363 or email Kieran Clapp or the TRES school office at 765-597-2760 or email Brittany Shannon

Email: webmaster@ncp.k12.in.us
Website: www.ncp.k12.in.us
Location: 602 Howard Avenue, Rockville, IN 47872
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