#1StudentNWI: Month of June at Wheeler High School

#1StudentNWI: Month of June at Wheeler High School

The 2015-2016 school year has officially come to an end at Wheeler High School. Both the students and faculty have accomplished many incredible things over this year that has made it so memorable. In particular, Wheeler High School students were immensely involved with activities not just pertaining to their school, but with their own Valparaiso community as well. Groups such as Student Council, Key Club, and National Honor Society all contributed to their home community through the following events: Valparaiso Popcorn Festival, Opportunity Enterprises Pack-a-Thon, 5K Water Walk, Special Olympics Bowling, and Salvation Army. We look forward to our next school year where Wheeler High School will participate in even more community activities. In recent news, registration for the 2016-2017 school year will be on the following dates: Wednesday, August 3rd (11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.), Thursday, August 4th (11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.), and Friday, August 5th (11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.). Signs will be posted outside the building indicating what doors to enter on the south side at Entrance B. For parents who would like to register ahead of time, preregistration will be available on Monday, July 25th.

Wheeler-June-2016_02Wheeler High School has been exceptional in all their athletic clubs this year as well. Through sports such as football, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, track and field, golf, swimming, and bowling, Wheeler has seen many athletes compete at remarkable levels of performance. Track and field athletes Jacob Wasz, Jason Novak, and Jesiah Lee were all state qualifiers, performing incredibly throughout the season along with Aiden Hostetler, Joel O'Shea, Danilo Orlich, Matt Stephenson, and Derek Bertucci. Wheeler boys varsity basketball team had a good season this year with a 10-13 overall record and 4-4 conference record. Coach Tom Johnson stated that he is proud of all his players this season and hopes to improve even more for the next season. Next, Wheeler boys varsity baseball had a great season with an overall record of 18-10 and a conference record of 10-6; Coach Kyle Becich looks to improve on their players’ strengths for the next season. Lastly, Wheeler High School’s bowling team received great results overall throughout their season from players such as Kyle Snuffer, Cole Snuffer, Brittnie Beach, Halie Minard, and Corinne Miller. Congratulations to all Wheeler High School athletes for an amazing season of sports!

I would like to give a student shout out to graduating senior Anthony Sikoski. An active member of Student Council, Key Club, and National Honor Society, Anthony has participated in many extracurricular activities and shown what it means to be a Wheeler Bearcat. Through events such as bell-ringing for the Salvation Army, Valparaiso Popcorn Festival, and the Opportunity Enterprises Pack-a-Thon, Anthony has been a proud supporter of his community. At school, Anthony is also involved with Wheeler High School’s German Club, headed by Wheeler’s French and German language teacher Mrs. Ault. Additionally, Mrs. Ault was chosen as Anthony’s teacher mentor for the top academic senior student celebration. We wish Anthony the best of luck as he goes on to Indiana University Bloomington, where he will be attending the Kelley School of Business.

Wheeler-June-2016_03I would also like to give a teacher shout out to Wheeler High School’s choir teacher Mrs. Hardesty. She is a graduate of Valparaiso University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree that holds certification in choral, instrumental and general music K-12. Moreover, she has taken many graduate courses in music and education through Vandercook College of Music. Mrs. Hardesty is also a member of the National Association for Music Education, Indiana Music Educators’ Association, American Choral Director’s Association and the National Education Association with corresponding state affiliations. She has been involved with choir as a member and director since she was in 3rd grade.

As Mrs. Hardesty stated, “I myself enjoy music and singing and hope to pass that love on to my students.”

Mrs. Hardesty has had the pleasure to be teaching in the Union Township School Corporation since 1989. During that time, she has taught elementary and middle school general music and middle and high school choirs. One of her most memorable moments of her career in Union Township was the honor of performing at Orchestra hall in Chicago and singing with the Chicago Children’s Choir in 2001. Along with conducting UTMS choirs 6, 7, and 8th grade choirs, Bravo show choir, WHS Concert Choir, Advanced Chorus, and ENCORE show choir, Mrs. Hardesty has co-coached the WHS Fine Arts Academic team and is one of the staff members for the WHS Natural Helpers program.

Wheeler-June-2016_04Mrs. Hardesty spoke, “Our choral department at UTMS/WHS is active in many ways. We put on the annual Madrigal Dinner in December, participate in the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) district and state vocal solo/ensemble contests each year, and perform in a variety of venues. A wide variety of music is performed by all the choirs: sacred, secular, contemporary, and ethnic pieces are just part of the choices.”

We thank Mrs. Hardesty for all her contributions in the Union Township School Corporation.