DKHS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

This was a short week with our snow day on Wednesday. As a general reminder, when we have a snow day, the decision to hold practices or events is usually made around noon and in cooperation with other schools. If practices are allowed, they are always optional, and coaches cannot make them mandatory for our athletes. Please give time for our athletic administration to be in contact with other schools and the superintendent. Once a decision is made, they will post that decision, and coaches can then schedule practice times as well as communicate about the possible cancellations of events. This rarely happens before noon.

Thursday, our band kids returned from their trip to Hawaii, where they performed in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade. Thank you to all of you in our community who have donated or helped with fundraising to make this trip possible for our kids. You can see lots of pictures and videos on some of the various social media sites, as well as our DK Schools webpage.

Huge shout-out to 2 of our elite athletes who picked up state-level awards recently. Mitchell Swift was named First Team All-State in football. Aubrey Yarger placed 4th in the state in diving, giving her all-state honors. Congratulations to both of these fine young people for their athletic accomplishments. They are also two of our best examples of quality character and work ethic. We can all be proud of these DKHS student athletes. So far this basketball season, we have had a 30-point scorer in Tyler Howland, 31 from Grady Matteson, and another career high of 32 from Addie Stampfler. Come see our basketball teams in action tonight at home vs Gobles. We have a triple header with boys JV, followed by the varsity girls, and then the varsity boys. Our wrestling team hosted 3 days of JV, varsity, and girls' invitationals over the weekend. The Panthers had many weight class winners and finished 2nd overall in spite of not yet having a full lineup. That is coming soon, so good things are ahead for our wrestling teams also.

Our 3 girls finished 2nd (Olivia Vincent), 2nd (Olivia Post), and 4th (Erica Beeke) individually in their weight classes.

This week, some our our high school kids have been serving as helpers in the Santa Shop at the elementary. Working with our young friends to shop for gifts for family members and experience the joy of giving. Here is a note from one of the elementary staff members.

“I just wanted to sing the praises of ALL of the HS Santa shop helpers! They took each kiddo around the shop & guided their purchases for family & friends with such positivity & patience! They definitely will make Santa’s Nice List this year! It was great seeing all of my HS friends again in a different light! They sure shine bright!”

Next week we wrap up semester 1 with ½ days on the 17th, 18th, and 19th for exams. Kids are being reminded daily to talk with teachers to focus on any missing work, completion of projects, labs, or assignments, and to spend time getting ready for their exams, which count 20% of their final grade.

Don’t forget the concert with Kill The Mood on Saturday at 7 PM in the HS LGI. This is a fundraising event for our senior mystery trip. Kill The Mood is a 3 man band with two of our Delton guys (Cody Hense & David Bergstrom) and a student from Hastings (Riley Morse). They have been opening for acts in 2000-seat venues in Fort Wayne, playing other music festivals, and recording their own music. Wildly talented!! Let’s support this event and our DKHS students. Doors open at 6:30.

This week’s Hogies Heroes are those kids who have been taking time out of their day to travel to the other buildings and help with the Santa Shop. Over the course of the week, we had dozens of students go to help. Our students are great examples of living out our character traits and stepping in to help every time we call on them to give back. I love our DKHS Pathers!!! Thanks to all of you for Doing A Job.

We’re thrilled to share several incredible opportunities for motivated high school

students who are ready to make 2026 truly unforgettable. If you’re dreaming of

learning a new language, exploring a new culture, or gaining hands-on

independence, our Spring 2026 programs and Fall 2026 scholarships can help

you take the next step.

LAST-MINUTE PROMOTION — APPLY BY DECEMBER 15

Save $800 on any available Spring 2026 High School Study Abroad

program when you submit your application by December 15. This offer is

limited—don’t miss your chance to secure the discount!

Fall 2026 Study Abroad Scholarships Now Open

Students ages 15–17 are invited to apply for our Italy Trimester Scholarship and

several $1,000 scholarships available toward any Fall 2026 ICES high school

study abroad program.

Grand Prize: 90-Day Italy Trimester Program (Valued at $8,500)

One student will receive a full trimester program in Italy, including:

• Dates: September 7 – December 4, 2026

• Homestay with a carefully selected Italian host family

• All meals included

• Medical and accidental insurance

• A 2-night orientation camp in Rome

Winner will be responsible for:

• Round-trip flights to/from Italy

• Personal spending money (approx. $250/month recommended)

• Local public transportation

• Optional extension to a semester or full year (additional fee applies)

• Submitting an article with photos about their experience

Additional $1,000 Scholarships

Multiple $1,000 awards will be granted and may be applied to any ICES high

school study abroad program—trimester, semester, or yearlong.

Eligibility & Selection

Applicants must be 15–17 years old. Final selections will be based on:

• Completed high school application

• References

• Academic record

• Student letter

• 3-minute video

• Photos

Application Window: December 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Winners Announced: February 25, 2026

To request an application, simply send an email to hdoyle@icesusa.org and we’ll

send everything you need to get started.

PRICE CHANGE: Donations at the door, rather than $10.

See Mrs. Hebenstreit to buy tickets.