Mrs. Ummel introduced Jim Alber, GHS special education teacher who, along with Chandler teacher Andrew Kauffman, recently received national recognition for their “High Altitude Learning” project. Their project combined a class of GHS special needs students and a 3^rd grade class from Chandler. The classes worked collaboratively on the project, which introduced students to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) principles through the launch and recovery of a high-altitude weather balloon. Mr. Alber and Mr. Kauffman also received a $2,000 grant from Voya Financial, a retirement investment company, through its Unsung Heroes awards competition. Mr. Alber indicated that the award would allow the project to be funded for another 2-3 years, as long as they don’t lose equipment in a launch!

Next Mrs. Ummel introduced GHS sophomore soccer player Jill Kissinger. Jill was recently honored by the IHSAA for showing exemplary sportsmanship in a soccer match. When asked about the incident, Jill stated that an opponent went down with a cramp late in a soccer match, and she simply offered to help stretch out her opponent. Dr. Woodworth thanked Jill for displaying sportsmanship “the Goshen way”.

And Lastly, Mrs. Ummel introduced GHS student Nathan Berkey and GMS student Gabe Goertz, for winning first place in their category for original compositions in a recent Indiana Music Educators Association (IMEA) competition. Nathan’s piece is entitled Phrygian Raga Façade, and Gabe’s piece is entitled Siege; both compositions may be found and heard at the following link: http://www.goshenorchestras.org/newsfeed/2015/6/20/catching-up-3-june-6-composition-competetion. Both students were congratulated by the administrators for their hard work and creativity. The families also directed thanks to the orchestra instructors who have encouraged the students along the way.