Perry Township is an undeniably close-knit community. Many families have been here for generations. Often, when students leave the area to attend college, they return to Perry Township and eventually raise their families here. Our schools are filled with administrators, teachers and staff who are alumni of our schools. 

Southport High School is accepting nominations for its Outstanding Alumnus Award, which honors a living person who graduated at least 25 years ago – 1993 or before. All nominees from the past 10 years will be considered, so people who have nominated someone in the past are asked to submit updated information on that person.

The deadline to submit a nomination form – available at https://goo.gl/forms/9oMr6RKA2gJxp9sP2 – is Wednesday, March 7   

Last year’s recipient was Michael Heldman, a lifelong Southsider who graduated in 1965. He worked in the mechanical contracting field for 40 years and served as a supervisor at Leach and Russell Mechanical Contractors before retiring in 2010.

In 1978 he began volunteering with Special Olympics and soon became the coordinator for Marion County south, a position that he still holds today. Helping the athletes is Heldman’s passion, and he continues to make an impact on their lives.

Other past honorees include: Peg Warner, 2016; Dr. Philip Borst, ’15; David Shaffer, ’14; Chuck Stumpf, ’13; Dr. Jeffrey Kellams, ’12; Dr. Jeffery DeWester, ’11; Steven Bowles, ’10; Dr. Darlene Sayers Kardatzke, ’09; Lucinda Orme Bertram, ’08; Marvin Christie, ’07; Harold Skillman, ’06; Ruth Ake Mercer, ’05; George Dudgeon, ’04; Wiley Emery, ’03; Jeff Kasting, ’02; Dr. Kenneth R. Huff, ’01; Greg Maybury, 2000; Rex Joseph, 1999; Frank Winchell, ’98; William Leck, ’97; William Kiesel, ’96; Steve Harnedy, ’95; William F. Quebe, ’94; Dr. H.O. “Buzz” Hickman, ’93; Carole Wade Myers, ’92; David Frick, ’91; Albert Theil, ’90; Beverly Charmichael Heid, ’89; Dr. Louis Gunneman, ’98; Vincent Schaefer, ’87; Dr. Blanche Penrod, ’86; Charles Orme, ’85; and Harold Jordan, ’84.
​
Thanks to all of our alumni who are giving back in numerous ways – big and small!

The flu season is in full effect. According to the Marion County Public Health Department, flu activity remains high across the county. By all media accounts, flu activity is high across the state and country as well. 

Though flu season is hard to predict, the department says increased flu activity is likely to last several more weeks, and many more cases of influenza are expected. In partnership with state health experts, we would like to encourage our community to do what it can to minimize the spread of germs.

We appreciate our custodial staff members as they are working extra hard to clean and disinfect surfaces that are most vulnerable to germs. They scrub and sanitize classrooms across our 22 school buildings. Still we all must take precautions to try to keep our community healthy.

Staff and students who are sick are advised to stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines. Good hygiene is important as well. Hands should be washed often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.

Everyone should cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into the elbow or shoulder, not into the hands. When possible, it’s also a good idea to avoid close contact with sick people, and refrain from touching your eyes, nose and mouth because germs can spread this way.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, people who have the flu often feel some or all of the following signs and symptoms: fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.
​
Some people may vomit and have diarrhea, though this is more common in young children than in adults.
CDC officials also said it’s not too late to get a flu shot. Anyone who might have the flu should consult a physician.

Perry Township Schools respects the hard work and discipline required by our students to complete 13 years of education to graduate from high school. Even in the best of circumstances, it can be overwhelming at times. And we educate students who overcome tremendous challenges to excel in life after high school.

Two of our students were among 26 Marion County seniors chosen by the Kiwanis Club of Indianapolis to receive Abe Lincoln Scholarships, which are designed to recognize students for their courageous achievements in the face of daunting obstacles and hardships.   

Four of the students received awards totaling $41,000, while the remaining students earned scholarships totaling $5,500. Caroline Kavanaugh of Perry Meridian earned the first-place scholarship of $16,000, and Yuke Walden of Southport earned a $250 award. Both students are truly inspirations.

In 2016 Caroline underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor that had been diagnosed eight years prior. She was in the hospital for 23 days and lost partial use of the left side of her body. As the two-year anniversary approaches, we celebrate her ability to play violin beautifully, as well as the endurance she displays on the cross country team. She even volunteers and mentors, and she does it all with a positive attitude.

Coming from China, Yuke has had to push herself academically and socially to learn not only English but the American culture. Remarkably, Yuke actually spent time living on her own as her mother worked out of state to provide for Yuke financially. She cooked and cleaned for herself while fulfilling her academic and extracurricular activities. Yuke is captain of Southport’s dance team, where she has emerged as a natural leader.

Between her sophomore and junior years, She participated in Indiana University’s Honors Program in Foreign Languages, where she lived in Leon, Spain, for the summer. That opportunity fueled her love of learning new languages and cultures. In the future she dreams of studying law with a concentration in immigration – a dream that she holds dear with her journey to America.

Though it always saddens us to see any of our students endure challenges, we rejoice when they emerge victorious as Caroline and Yuke have. We look forward to seeing what the future has in store for these gold-star scholars!

​Preparing for college is a process. Academically and financially, a great deal of planning is involved. We appreciate the administrators, teachers and staff who support our students as they prepare for post-secondary education. 

Since this is National School Counseling Week, we would like to give a special thank you to our counselors who give students the emotional encouragement and practical support they need to succeed.

Recently, Southport High’s Counseling Department hosted the kick off for Indiana’s Cash for College Campaign, which helps students plan early to make college as affordable as possible. The program was attended by 131 juniors who are in the 21st Century Scholarship program, which provides up to four years of undergraduate tuition at participating universities in Indiana. Those scholars were praised by leaders of the program for their success in meeting 21st Century Scholars requirements.

Students were given the opportunity to search for scholarships and enter a raffle to win prizes during the event. The grand prize winners – Juan Lopez, So Mue and Amber Weaver – received $100 mini-scholarships to be deposited in their 529 College Savings Plans. 

At Perry Meridian Middle School, counselors are working hard to coordinate the College & Career Night from 6-8 p.m. today. Representatives from the following colleges and organizations will be in attendance: Ball State, Butler, Franklin College, Indiana State, IUPUI, Ivy Tech, Purdue, the University of Indianapolis at Vincennes, Army National Guard, 21st Century Scholars and College Planning.   

Students will have the opportunity to ask questions and visit with representatives. Pizza and drinks will be served so attendees don’t have to worry about missing dinner. 

We value our counselors and their unique contributions to our education system. We appreciate all they do to positively influence the academic achievement, social development and career planning needs of our students.