During Thursday's Wells County Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Mayor Ted Ellis presented the Turnaround Awards, which honor high school and middle school students who have made 180-degree changes in their lives.
Seven students received the award this year:
Kalli Frain (senior, Wells County Alternative School):
Kalli Frain became a student in the spring of 2010. She entered the program with many family and personal obstacles. By the end of May 2010, Kalli had decided to drop out of high school to pursue a GED. In August 2010, she came to her sister’s enrollment conference where she was encouraged to stay in school and try to get a high school diploma. Transportation was an issue and family support was inconsistent. She came to school and worked hard on achieving her goal of earning a high school diploma. As Kalli experienced academic success, we saw her grow as a person, too. This year she was given opportunities to earn high school credits at an accelerated rate. Because of her perseverance, she will graduate at the end of this school year. In addition to her extra time at school, she worked part-time — not at one job, but at two jobs. Kalli believes that her education has value and now is making plans to attend college. Kalli has matured into a young adult who is learning to make opportunities for herself, and it has been our pleasure to get to know her through this process.
— Bob Dahl
Samantha Sauerwine (senior, Bluffton High School):
Samantha has always had difficulty with academics but would often persevere. A few years ago, Samantha began to drift away from school and made some bad choices. She had numerous office referrals, lost credit due to absences, and was eventually expelled at the end of her sophomore year. She returned to Bluffton High School her junior year with motivation and enthusiasm for her education. Samantha worked hard all of her junior year and completed graduation requirements earlier this spring. Samantha saw where her life was headed and took control, and changed the course of her life. We are very pleased with the progress and maturity that Samantha has shown while at Bluffton High School.
— Jodi Leas, counselor
Grey Eschenbacher (eighth-grader, Norwell Middle School):
Grey Eschenbacher is the epitome of turnaround. Grey was never a problem student, but he was just simply coming to school and going through the motions. He was satisfied with not giving his best effort. Now, Grey actively participates in his education. He has taken ownership of his education and is eager to participate in class discussions and assignments. He understands the importance of an education and is working towards a successful life after his formal school days are over. His new approach has dramatically improved his grades, and will undoubtedly lead to future success. He went from a student who was satisfied with getting by to one that is working towards honor roll status. It is wonderful to see Grey working to his potential and to see the pride he now takes in his work. Norwell Middle School is very proud of Grey and the “turn around” he has made.
— Norwell Middle School
Andrea Incremona (senior, Norwell High School):
During her first three years of high school, Andrea had significant academic, attendance and behavioral issues. As a senior, however, she has made a remarkable turnaround. Her grades, attendance and influence have all shown impressive improvement. She now intends to go to college to study public affairs with a hope of making the world a better place for the oppressed.
— John Reinhard, guidance counselor
Christopher Boyd (eighth-grader, Southern Wells):
Chris has shown some remarkable improvement in both his attitude and academic efforts. Where previously his homework was incomplete or misplaced, now Chris regularly turns in completed assignments to his teachers. His attitude is one of questioning and a willingness to learn and put forth a good effort every day. In spite of some missed days of school due to illness this winter, Chris has made up missed homework with no complaint. Not only is his homework completed and turned in on time, but Chris’s overall attitude and demeanor has improved tremendously. He makes an effort to speak up when necessary and ask for assistance, taking responsibility and credit where appropriate. It’s been a delight to see him mature and become a production member of the school community.
— Steve Wagner, guidance director
Dylan Longenberger (eighth-grader, Bluffton Middle School):
Dylan’s history is one of numerous trips to the office because of behavior and struggling to achieve grades. This year, as an eighth-grade student, Dylan’s behavior has been vastly different from his past behavior.
In language arts and science, Dylan had demonstrated that he wants to learn and often asks for help in understanding rather than help to get the question answered. He knows that reading is a weakness and will ask for help with comprehension rather than skipping over and guessing at the answer.
Dylan actively participates in class and is an advocate for his own education. Based on these observations, we believe that Dylan is the best choice for the Turn Around Award from the Middle School.
— Jacqueline M. Pierce, counselor
Mikala Habegger (senior, Southern Wells High School):
Mikala had a rough start at our school. Early in high school she became a teen-age mother. This could have become a very challenging and perhaps sad time. Many young people would have played the blame game, or worse, given up. Mikala never once felt sorry for herself (at least not around me). Mikala set a focus for her and her daughter’s future. Mikala wants to be the best for the two of them. She is a great mother and she is passionate about her education. Currently, Mikala has earned membership in our school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Further, she is on track to complete the Indiana Academic Honors Diploma. Mikala has learned to juggle and balance her life. She combines working part-time at Professional Federal Credit Union and being a very fine student, while also being what she and I would submit is her biggest challenge and success, a great mother. She accomplishes this with a style that is simply graceful to watch. On her personal horizon, Mikala continues to be career focused. She is always assessing how her unique skill and potentialities fit in a very complicated world of diverse possibilities. This young lady will be totally successful wherever she goes.
— Steve Wagner, guidance director
Seven students received the award this year:
Kalli Frain (senior, Wells County Alternative School):
Kalli Frain became a student in the spring of 2010. She entered the program with many family and personal obstacles. By the end of May 2010, Kalli had decided to drop out of high school to pursue a GED. In August 2010, she came to her sister’s enrollment conference where she was encouraged to stay in school and try to get a high school diploma. Transportation was an issue and family support was inconsistent. She came to school and worked hard on achieving her goal of earning a high school diploma. As Kalli experienced academic success, we saw her grow as a person, too. This year she was given opportunities to earn high school credits at an accelerated rate. Because of her perseverance, she will graduate at the end of this school year. In addition to her extra time at school, she worked part-time — not at one job, but at two jobs. Kalli believes that her education has value and now is making plans to attend college. Kalli has matured into a young adult who is learning to make opportunities for herself, and it has been our pleasure to get to know her through this process.
— Bob Dahl
Samantha Sauerwine (senior, Bluffton High School):
Samantha has always had difficulty with academics but would often persevere. A few years ago, Samantha began to drift away from school and made some bad choices. She had numerous office referrals, lost credit due to absences, and was eventually expelled at the end of her sophomore year. She returned to Bluffton High School her junior year with motivation and enthusiasm for her education. Samantha worked hard all of her junior year and completed graduation requirements earlier this spring. Samantha saw where her life was headed and took control, and changed the course of her life. We are very pleased with the progress and maturity that Samantha has shown while at Bluffton High School.
— Jodi Leas, counselor
Grey Eschenbacher (eighth-grader, Norwell Middle School):
Grey Eschenbacher is the epitome of turnaround. Grey was never a problem student, but he was just simply coming to school and going through the motions. He was satisfied with not giving his best effort. Now, Grey actively participates in his education. He has taken ownership of his education and is eager to participate in class discussions and assignments. He understands the importance of an education and is working towards a successful life after his formal school days are over. His new approach has dramatically improved his grades, and will undoubtedly lead to future success. He went from a student who was satisfied with getting by to one that is working towards honor roll status. It is wonderful to see Grey working to his potential and to see the pride he now takes in his work. Norwell Middle School is very proud of Grey and the “turn around” he has made.
— Norwell Middle School
Andrea Incremona (senior, Norwell High School):
During her first three years of high school, Andrea had significant academic, attendance and behavioral issues. As a senior, however, she has made a remarkable turnaround. Her grades, attendance and influence have all shown impressive improvement. She now intends to go to college to study public affairs with a hope of making the world a better place for the oppressed.
— John Reinhard, guidance counselor
Christopher Boyd (eighth-grader, Southern Wells):
Chris has shown some remarkable improvement in both his attitude and academic efforts. Where previously his homework was incomplete or misplaced, now Chris regularly turns in completed assignments to his teachers. His attitude is one of questioning and a willingness to learn and put forth a good effort every day. In spite of some missed days of school due to illness this winter, Chris has made up missed homework with no complaint. Not only is his homework completed and turned in on time, but Chris’s overall attitude and demeanor has improved tremendously. He makes an effort to speak up when necessary and ask for assistance, taking responsibility and credit where appropriate. It’s been a delight to see him mature and become a production member of the school community.
— Steve Wagner, guidance director
Dylan Longenberger (eighth-grader, Bluffton Middle School):
Dylan’s history is one of numerous trips to the office because of behavior and struggling to achieve grades. This year, as an eighth-grade student, Dylan’s behavior has been vastly different from his past behavior.
In language arts and science, Dylan had demonstrated that he wants to learn and often asks for help in understanding rather than help to get the question answered. He knows that reading is a weakness and will ask for help with comprehension rather than skipping over and guessing at the answer.
Dylan actively participates in class and is an advocate for his own education. Based on these observations, we believe that Dylan is the best choice for the Turn Around Award from the Middle School.
— Jacqueline M. Pierce, counselor
Mikala Habegger (senior, Southern Wells High School):
Mikala had a rough start at our school. Early in high school she became a teen-age mother. This could have become a very challenging and perhaps sad time. Many young people would have played the blame game, or worse, given up. Mikala never once felt sorry for herself (at least not around me). Mikala set a focus for her and her daughter’s future. Mikala wants to be the best for the two of them. She is a great mother and she is passionate about her education. Currently, Mikala has earned membership in our school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Further, she is on track to complete the Indiana Academic Honors Diploma. Mikala has learned to juggle and balance her life. She combines working part-time at Professional Federal Credit Union and being a very fine student, while also being what she and I would submit is her biggest challenge and success, a great mother. She accomplishes this with a style that is simply graceful to watch. On her personal horizon, Mikala continues to be career focused. She is always assessing how her unique skill and potentialities fit in a very complicated world of diverse possibilities. This young lady will be totally successful wherever she goes.
— Steve Wagner, guidance director
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