Superintendent of
Perry Township Schools
I cannot believe another year
of school is almost over. I thoroughly enjoy this time of year, which is filled with programs to honor and award our students and staff for their achievements and hard work.
A reception was held at the Perry Township Education Center before the May school board meeting. The 47 students who received perfect scores on the IREAD-3 assessment; Burkhart Elementary’s choir, which earned a superior rating at the Smoky Mountain Music Festival; and Rosa Parks Elementary, which was named a Four Star School for the fifth year in a row; were honored.
Your school board prides itself in being child-focused. Every board meeting begins with the “Pledge of Allegiance” led by a Scout troop. Girl Scout Troop 460, led by Michelle Brzycki, opened the meeting that evening. The board then recognized those who have displayed exceptional achievements that bring honor to not only the recipient but to the entire community.
Recognitions that night included:
• Valedictorians: Jackie Hsu from Perry Meridian, Jensen Smith, Southport.
• Salutatorians: Lauren Daeger, Perry, Victoria Updike, Southport.
• Central Nine Career Center National Technical Honor Society Award recipients: Eric Bullard, Leland Gomez, Thang Hmung, Brian Huntley, Amanda Johnson, Victoria Sprinkle, Par Sung, Lal Thari and Hniang Zi
• Morgan Ray, who will represent Southport in the Hoosier Heartland District at the National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament in Dallas, Texas, this summer.
• Ral Lian Khum of Southport, the school’s first recipient of the Gates Millenium Scholarship. It is a full ride to any college to which he is accepted and may even cover a master’s or doctorate, depending on the field of study.
• Elly Mawl and Emily Sung of Southport received Lilly Endowment Scholarships, which cover tuition to any public university in Indiana plus $900 per semester for book fees.
• Perry Meridian’s FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics team, Cyber Blue 234, enjoyed its most successful season ever and won many titles, including the Indiana District championship.
• Perry Meridian Middle School’s band program earned the All-Music Award from the Indiana State School Music Association.
• Southport Middle School’s Brian Knight was named District 7 (Marion County) Middle School Principal of the Year.
• Perry Meridian High School’s Rolland Abraham was named District 7 High School Principal of the Year.
Congratulations to all of our honorees!
The board meeting was literally standing-room-only that night. Thanks to the students, families, staff and community members who attended. We understand the importance of the support given to the students and staff in order to successfully reach these levels of achievement. The community’s presence that evening sent a strong message that it cares.
Congratulations. It is an honor and a privilege to serve this community as your superintendent of schools.