***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
**WCHS Announces Valedictorian and Salutatorians**
Whiteland, IN
February 19, 2025
Whiteland Community High School (WCHS) is proud to announce that Haroon Mardanzai has been named the Valedictorian of the Class of 2025 with an impressive GPA of 4.48. Haroon plans to attend Indiana University to study Finance. In addition to his academic achievements, he is actively involved in extracurricular activities. He serves as the president of the Spanish Honor Society, founded the Investment Club, is a member of the basketball team, and also holds the position of captain of the tennis team.
The Salutatorians, Simran Kaur, and Sabiha Thind, follow closely behind with identical GPAs of 4.42. Sabiha intends to pursue a Biology degree on a Pre-Med track at I.U. Indianapolis, with aspirations of becoming a Pediatrician. She has demonstrated exceptional leadership as the President of the Student Council, President of the National Honor Society, Vice President of Best Buddies, and a member of the Key Club.
Simran is interested in practicing Emergency Medicine and aims to earn a Biomedical Engineering degree on a Pre-Med path. She is currently undecided about her college choice. Simran holds the position of Vice President of the National Honor Society and is a member of the Spanish Honor Society, Student Council, and Key Club.
"We are very proud of these three seniors," said WCHS Principal Duke Lines.
"We will miss them, but they are destined to do amazing things. These school leaders have not only excelled academically but have also dedicated their time to giving back to their communities through various volunteer efforts." The students were notified of their honors on Friday and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
Dr. Edsell recognized members of the Indiana All-State Honor Choir during Monday evenings meeting. These students were from CPMS, Clark and Whiteland Elementary. Congratulations to these amazing young singers!
Members of the WCHS Girls Wrestling Team were recognized by the school board during Monday nights board meeting. Whiteland Girls Wrestling finished off their season with a fifth place finish at the IHSGW Team State Finals last month. They finished fourth place as a team at the inaugural IHSAA Girls Wrestling State Meet. Whiteland put four wrestlers into the top 8 at the first ever IHSAA Girls Wrestling State Meet!
Brooke Fuller (110)- Runner Up
Kaitlynn Fouty (105)- Third
Mikayla Perkins (120)- Fifth
Marli Woods (115)- Seventh
This month's winners of our Recognize Excellence Program were honored at the February school board meeting, Monday night.
Alexis Tackett, a WES Speech - Language Pathologist was the certified employee and Lauren Runyon a PCES Food Service employee was the classified recipient. Both were presented a certificate by Human Resource Director, Dr. John Schilawski.
Johnson County Spelling Bee Winner Recognized!
Grassy Creek Elementary student, Raian Timur, was recognized and honored, during Monday night's school board meeting, for winning the Johnson County Spelling Bee. Raian, his parents and principal were on hand as Dr. Edsell presented him with a certificate.
A Winning Weekend!
National FFA Week
Feb. 17-21, 2025
Each year, FFA chapters around the country celebrate National FFA Week. It’s a time to share what FFA is and the impact it has on members every day.
What better way to show your support of FFA than to get involved in FFA Week? Whether it’s in person, on the phone or via social media, be sure to share your FFA stories during #FFAweek!
National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day is on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
The day is dedicated to recognizing the work of school resource officers (SROs). What are SROs? -SROs are sworn law enforcement officers who work in schools. -They serve as mentors, educators, and law enforcement officers. -They work with teachers and administrators to promote safety and security. -They help educate students on crime prevention, drug awareness, and conflict resolution. How can you participate? -Recognize Clark-Pleasant Police Department SROs. -Share a post on social media with the hashtags #NationalSchoolResourceOfficerAppreciationDay and #SROsAreValuable SROs are vital members of the education community who help keep schools and students safe. They are also liaisons to community services that support the well-being of youth and their families.
Whiteland Boys Basketball has a busy weekend ahead! It starts tonight with the Warriors hosting the Hawks! Tune in!
📅 Friday, February 14
🕢 7:30 P.M.
🆚 Decatur Central Hawks
Community Kindness!
A HUGE thank you to Taco Bell in Whiteland for generously donating dinner for our teachers at PCES during Parent-Teacher Conferences! Your kindness and support mean the world to us!
Presidents' Day is Monday, February 17, 2025
There will be no school on Monday, February 17, 2025, because it is Presidents' Day, a federal holiday. Most schools, banks, and government offices will be closed.
Presidents' Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February each year. It honors the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The holiday was originally celebrated on Washington's birthday however, the date was changed to the third Monday of February to create longer weekends.
**Parent-Teacher Conferences Wednesday & Thursday!**
Clark-Pleasant will be hosting Parent-Teacher Conferences this week, following the same format as in the fall. Conferences will take place in the evening, and please note that FRIDAY will be an early release day for students. For specific times, please refer to the graphics provided. Please sign up for an appointment through your child's school.
GRAND CHAMPIONS for BOTH Expressions and Rhythm Masters!
This past Saturday at the Pike High School MusicFest Competition Expressions won Grand Champion of the small univoice division and Rhythm Masters won Grand Champion of the small mixed division. Both groups also received the top scores for vocals and choreography in their division.
Freshman Aubrey Goodwin of Expressions won Outstanding Soloist within the small univoice division as well!
The next competition you can see Expressions and Rhythm Masters at is Franklin Community ShowFest on Saturday, February 22nd.
**Parent-Teacher Conferences This Week!**
Clark-Pleasant will be hosting Parent-Teacher Conferences this week, following the same format as in the fall. Conferences will take place in the evening, and please note that FRIDAY will be an early release day for students. For specific times, please refer to the graphics provided. Please sign up for an appointment through your child's school.
Second grade IREAD family night!
BES second grade students and their families worked together recently on different activities to help students prepare for the IREAD assessment in March.
Approximately 150 middle school girls from 19 schools around the state participated in Saturday's state tournament. Congratulations to our CPMS lady wrestlers.
Congratulations Coach Gillespie!!!
WCHS Tennis Coach Mike Gillespie has been named as the 2024 Indiana Girls Tennis Tennis Coach of the Year (as well as the district COY). Mike has done an amazing job with both our Girls and Boys programs for a long time, and is so deserving of this award!!
The WES Robotics Teams were in action Saturday in their first competition! Thanks for all of the support, guidance, and encouragement from our coaches, Mrs. Schaefer and Miss Howell!
Jazzy Night at UINDY!
Our CPMS Jazz Band got to play at the University of Indianapolis Basketball Game Thursday night with the Uindy pep band! They had a blast cheering on their team!
**CPA Special Speakers!**
On Thursday, students at Clark-Pleasant Academy had the privilege of hearing from two special guests. Andrea Neeley, the CEO of the Simon Youth Foundation, delivered motivational remarks to the students, along with Barbara Boyd, a 95-year-old former broadcaster from Indianapolis. Boyd made history in 1969 as the first African American television news reporter to appear on TV in the state of Indiana.
Boyd shared her childhood dream of becoming a movie star but acknowledged the difficulties of pursuing such a dream during the pre-civil rights era. She recounted working at Head Start in Indianapolis when she received a call from the manager of Channel 6, who asked if anyone could appear on TV. Boyd boldly replied, “If you’re looking for a star, here I are.” Once she got her chance, she was determined not to fail. In the early 1970s, she broke new ground by covering news stories about her own battle with breast cancer. Boyd encouraged the students, reminding them that they have numerous opportunities ahead because many people care about them. Even at 95, she continues to volunteer with charities like Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army.
Neely, representing the Simon Youth Foundation—which helps fund Clark-Pleasant Academy—emphasized that education is the key that opens all doors. She added that success is the sweetest revenge against those who say you can’t achieve your goals.
