NORTH CENTRAL PARKE NEWS

Parke Heritage High School junior choir member Ella Lacy earned a gold rating with distinction at the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) State Vocal Solo and Ensemble Contest held on Saturday, February 21 at Perry Meridian High School.

Ella performed “Simple Gifts” by Aaron Copland.. She was accompanied by Cara Ruark. The PHHS music director is Noah Guerra.

Morgan Cooper, Karsyn Albertson, Vinny Bonomo, Nolan Bridge and Dan Jensen

Parke Heritage High School and Parke Heritage Middle School students and staff members were recognized by the Rockville Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Legion Post 1752 on Tuesday, February 24.

Karsyn Albertson was named the VFW PHMS Teacher-of-the-Year by students and staff members. Morgan Cooper was selected the PHHS Teacher-of-the-Year.

Students received Patriot Pen Awards for their participation in the VFW Voice of Democracy essay contest in which they wrote about “How are you Showing Patriotism and Support for our Country?”. PHHS senior Hallie Miller received first place in the high school division. Nolan Bridge earned first place; Ellijah Emerson- second place and Vinny Bonomo- third place. They won cash prizes and Hallie’s and Nolan’s essay will go on to the next level of the contest.
The awards were presented by VFW Commander Dan Jensen.

Parke Heritage High School junior Patricia Norman competed at the West Central Indiana Welding competition at North Montgomery High School on Thursday, February 26.
Representing the Wabash River Technical and Career Education (WRTCE) program, she competed in Welding Theory. This is a two-stage event, answering 180 questions in phase one and 100 questions in the second phase.

“I am beyond proud of her, this part of this competition is the hardest to study for as they give you no information as to what is on the test besides its about welding,” said Rick Morgan, WRCTE Welding Instructor.

In the Graphic Design class, Mason Brister designed posters on the Birds of Vermillion County.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes are an option for Parke Heritage High School students who are wanting courses that will best guide them in their career decisions. There are currently 114 PHHS enrolled in CTE classes.PHHS students are enrolled in the CTE programs offered through Wabash River Career and Technical Education (WRCTE) program. Students are able to enroll in one of 12 different CTE classes offered. The classes are held either in the morning or afternoon, so students still attend other classes at PHHS. There are varying types of classes available so that students can select an area that best interests them. The classes include Automotive Technology, Construction Trades, Criminal Justice, Cosmetology, Education Professions, Engineering and Automation, Equipment Operation, Farm Operations, Graphic Design, Health Science, Entrepreneurship, Veterinary Science, and Welding. There are also in-house classes for agriculture, culinary arts and business as an option for students.

**Photo: Cosmetology- Alexis McAmis**

Another option available to students is the Work-Based Learning program. In this program, students attend school one half of the day and are employed at local businesses the second half. They work a minimum of 15 hours a week with the possibility of working evenings and weekends up to 30 hours a week. Working in a career field allows students to obtain hands-on skills in the area they are interested in pursuing. Mrs. Stephanie Studebaker is the Work-Based Learning Coordinator.

Work-based businesses that have participated in this program include Elanco, Parke County REMC, NAPA Auto Parts, Hanner Law Office, Parke County Library and retail places as well as farms. The program is varied depending on what career area the students are interested in pursuing.

In addition to learning about their potential careers, students attend a special class once a week with Mrs. Studebaker. This class provides students with information about such topics as proper business etiquette, interviewing, insurance, banking, tax preparation, identity theft and other areas that they will need to know once out of high school.

Students who are interested in enrolling in one of the CTE classes, need to add the class to their schedule and to complete the application form

If you would like to learn more information about the programs offered through Wabash River Career and Technical Education, please contact Craig Newby, program director, or contact Mrs. Studebaker.

**Photo: Work-based Learning: AJ Perkins**

As a part of their social studies class, Rockville Elementary fifth grade students have been learning about a famous person, event or popular attraction.

Each student researched their particular topic for their project. They then designed posters, and worked on speeches to describe their topic or to tell about the history of their person. The characters presented by the fifth graders varied from musicians, historical figures, athletes to politicians. The displays included popular events such as historical events such as The Civil War, History of the Indy 500 or famous attractions that included Mount Rushmore, the St. Louis Arch and more.

On Friday, February 20, the Tableau Museum was presented to other RES students and parents. Each student had their poster on display and explained their topic to those in attendance.

Fifth grade students and their characters or projects are front- Eva Mathas (Universal Studios), Brooke Busenbark (Marilyn Monroe), Kenna Spurr (Lucille Mulhall), Maylen Wood (Eleanor Roosevelt), Kamryn Bridge (Dolly Parton), Danielle Hoke (J.K. Rowling), Charlotte Larson (Eva Kor), Iris Tickle (Sacagawea), Billie Drummond (Amelia Earhart), Keira Earl ( Raina Telgemeier), William Ratcliff (Prince William), Ozzie Rose (Ernest Hemingway), Mason Martin (R.L. Stine), and Holden Myers (Paul Revere); second row- Skylar Beck (Jim Carrey), Kaiden Unger (The Gateway Arch), Halynn Allen (Queen Elizabeth I), Claire Baldwin (Queen Elizabeth II), Brenley Mager (Anne Frank), Pyper Hanon (Harriet Tubman), Abigale Winters (Erika Kirk), Kowen Capps (Charlie Kirk), Aubrey Eggleston (Marie Curie), Callen Austin (Markus “Notch” Persson), Drayton Ratliff (Nikola Tesla), Parker Lear (The Gettysburg Address), Kobe Kayler (The Leaning Tower of Pisa), and Robert Fredrichs (The Paris Catacombs); third row- Nole Scranton Bare (Neil Armstrong), Henry Overpeck (Johannes Kepler), DJ Newnum (Desmond Doss), Greyson McMullen (Bill Bowerman); Blaine Thornton (Charles Lindbergh), Brandon Wheeler (Donald Trump), Griffin Woods (George Washington),Chase Harris (the history of the Indy 500), Austin Bishop (The Boston Massacre), Savannah Wallace (The Boston Tea Party), Abigail Mullins (Hurricane Katrina), Karder Garver (The Roman Colosseum), and Robert Tyler (September 11th); fourth row- Joseph Sanders (Dr. Seuss), Kase Smith (Pentle Hill), Hunter Roach (Mount Rushmore), Zayden Pithoud (The Great Wall of China), Draken Lientz (The Cold War), Kreed Capps (California Wildfires), Karli Baker (Statue of Liberty) , Madi Gregg (World War II), Serenity Townson (Princess Diana), Taelynn Barker (Yosemite National Park), Shira Lawson (Rosa Parks) , Aidan Crowder (Walt Disney), Jurnee Pirtle (World War I), and Tanner Goodwin (The Holocaust); back- Noah LaRussa (The Titanic) and Ellie Rivers (Yellowstone National Park).

The Parke Heritage High School cheerleaders participated in the Cheer Showcase held at Seeger High School on Wednesday, February 25.

Area cheer teams performed a floor cheer, school song, competition dance routine and competed in jumps, stunting and tumbling.

Hallie Miller was presented the Spirit Award and Anna Tidwell received the Sportsmanship Award.

The team of Emmylou Rader, Hallie Miller, Anna Tidwell, and Bryleigh Lamb earned second place in the All Girl Stunt. Emmylou also earned second place in the Specialty Jump. Earning third place awards were Hallie in Standing Tumbling and Addyson Belfi in Running Tumbling and Front Hurdler.

Participating in the Cheer Showcase were Leire Lazaro Jimenez, Lexi Mundell, Hallie Miller, Khloe Llewellyn, Emmylou Rader, Addyson Belfi, and Anna Tidwell; middle- Kenley Martin, Bryleigh Lamb, Cora McElheny, Brooklyn McMullen, Hayden Rediskie, Addy Crum and Kenleigh Berry; back- Thomas Furr, Marshal Vincent and Crafton Malicoat.

Parke Heritage Middle School sixth grade science students were challenged to build miniature theater sets. Their goal wasn't just to make them look cool, but to show how sound and light waves interact with the theater props and space. Using different sizes, shapes, and colors of Legos, each group had to explain how their set design would help an audience see and hear the play clearly.

After building, each group gave a presentation on the science of the stage to their classmates. Students showed how sound and light can bounce off hard surfaces or be absorbed by intentional materials. They also explained how different color lights would manipulate the colors of set features to change the experience of viewers. The students were given creative freedom in their various theme sets.

The Parke Heritage Middle School World Language students recently completed their French City Tourist Guide Projects. Students researched cities in France, created travel guides, and delivered live travel pitch presentations to the class to persuade tourists to visit their location.

After all the presentations, students voted on the project that stood out most based on presentation skills and persuasiveness.

Cobie McCrory's project on Marseille, France was voted Best Presentation by her classmates.
“I am proud of the hard work and creativity all students put into this project,” said Mrs. Amanda Games.

Rockville Elementary School is celebrating students selected for "Mrs. Bonomo's Blooming Bunch". Students are selected based on the Five to Bloom goals.

These areas include growth mindset, goal setting, emotion management, empathy and kindness, and problem solving.

Students selected for Friday, February 27 are Jaxson Gilmore, Everett Beamer, Kinsley Shillings, Ellie Steele, Myles McCombs, Jaxson Dearing, Greyson Barushak, Bentley Collings, Tad Hester, Xander Gray, Braelynn Lods, Aurora Lamb, Brayden Hoover, Rilya Lowe, Sawyer Alexander, Ameila Clevenger, Paisley Garner, Cora Swaim, Kowen Capps, Madison Gregg, Emma Eggleston, Molly Houston, Camden Coffman, Brayson Harper, Claire Engle, and Hunter Presley.

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

Parent meetings for fall of 2026 North Central Parke Schools kindergarten students will be held on Tuesday, March 3 at 6:00 p.m. in the library for Turkey Run Elementary School students and on Tuesday, March 10 at 5:30 p.m. in the library for Rockville Elementary School students.

This meeting is required for all parents of children who will be entering kindergarten in the fall of 2026. The child must be five years old on or before August 1, 2026.

Parents will receive information about the kindergarten curriculum. All students will be required to have a kindergarten screening. Parents will be asked to sign up for a time to bring their child to the school for the screenings. Children do not need to attend this meeting.

If you need more information or have any questions, please contact the RES school office at 765-569-5363 or email Kieran Clapp at clappk@ncp.k12.in.us or TRES school office at 765-597-2760 or email Brittany Shannon at shannonb@ncp.k12.in.us

Parke Heritage High School students are nominated by staff members to receive the Wolf Award. Basis for this award include integrity, responsibility, communication, collaboration, reliability, creativity, 21st Century skills, accountability, and good character.

Jerimiah Ricketts (left)- "Jerimiah was a great help on the bus this week. He helped get elementary students seated, sat with some younger kids, and helped one student cross the road. He was a great help when combining routes!”

Scout Marsolf (middle left)- “Scout goes above and beyond expectations in class. She is always smiling and spreading joy to others, and can be seen helping others on a daily basis.”

Blake Ledcke (middle right)- “Blake always has an outstanding work ethic, whether in the weight room or in practice for football or track. He is a great example for other students to follow.”

Gauge Cloncs (right)- “Gauge is just a great kid. He is always so polite, respectful and hard working.”

Email: webmaster@ncp.k12.in.us
Website: www.ncp.k12.in.us
Location: 602 Howard Avenue, Rockville, IN 47872
Phone: 765-569-4190
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northcentralparke/
Twitter: @NCPSchoolCorp