Students’ efforts rewarded
All the hours of work in the classroom, at school and in the community paid off for two Bartholomew County high school seniors who were selected among 86 applicants and received Lily Endowment scholarships: Columbus East’s Madelyn Rhodes and Hauser’s Grace Hasler.
The scholarships to the Indiana school of their choice covers full tuition for four years, and an annual stipend of $900 for books and equipment. Rhodes plans to study biology at IUPUI before going on to medical school. Hasler will attend Purdue to study agricultural sales and marketing/agricultural education.
We commend these students for the commitments they have made to their studies and to the positive examples they set for other students.
Teachers honored
Speaking of positive examples in education, ABC-Stewart co-teachers Nikki Crawford and Laura Donovan, who lead preschooler classes, and White Creek Lutheran math teacher and Principal Jan Buss were honored with the Reams Family Award for Teaching, which is administered by the Heritage Fund.
Former Bartholomew County residents Fred and Karen Reams created the award in order to recognize outstanding educators at private schools. That’s admirable, and the recipients worthy. Buss received a $5,000 award, Crawford and Donovan $3,500 each.
Crawford and Donovan are noted for their ability to nurture and instill confidence in the preschoolers and help them progress. Buss is known for her leadership and contagious enthusiasm for math — which is important in getting students interested in careers fields such as engineering, technology and math.
This is the 12th year for the awards, which have granted more than $105,000 to area private school teachers.
Great partnership
Learning takes many forms, and the sister cities of Columbus and Miyoshi, Japan, have demonstrated that well during the many visits by educators and students to each other’s city since 1996. CSA Signature Academy — Lincoln Campus Principal Brett Findley was the latest local educator to visit Miyoshi.
He learned similarities and differences in educational approaches — such as emphasis on technology — and experienced Japanese culture and hospitality. By learning more about each other, we gain knowledge that is helpful and beneficial.
In August, a group of Miyoshi students and adults visited Columbus. When two local teachers and 14 students travel to Miyoshi in June, it will be another chapter in a mutual learning experience between two communities far apart yet a little closer each year.
