Top awards were presented as follows:

  • Band Leadership Award:  Hannah Wilson
  • Arion Award for Choir:  Clark Gudas
  • Director's Award for Band:  Clark Gudas
  • Director's Award for Choir:  Gage Garpow
  • Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award:  Karmen Wilcox
  • National School Choral Award:  Joshua Tankersley
  • John Philip Sousa Band Award:  Emily Newman
  • Jennifer Spurgeon Band Award:  Dennis Klausing
  • Tyler W. Roth Drama Award:  Joshua Tankersley
  • Best Actress:  Taylor Smith
  • Best Actor:  Gage Garpow, Joshua Tankersley
  • Best Supporting Actress:  Lorrin Alexander
  • Best Supporting Actor:  Tanner Johansen
  • Technical Achievement in Drama:  Troy Wiegand

 

Senior Plaques:

Senior Plaques (for 4-year participation in any combination of band, choir or drama)

  • Clark Gudas
  • Amber Thompson
  • Tanner Johansen
  • Dennis Klausing
  • Emily Newman
  • Joshua Tankersley
  • Karmen Wilcox
  • Hannah Wilson

 

Band Captions

Band awards were presented as follows:

  • Most Improved Female:  Erica Gualajara
  • Most Improved Male:  Clark Gudas
  • Effort Award:  Haleah Wilson
  • Mental Attitude:  Ryan Salazar
  • Outstanding 6th Grade Student:  Martin Crist
  • Outstanding 7th Grade Student:  Erica Neeley
  • Outstanding 8th Grade Student:  Mathew Cleveland
  • Outstanding 9th Grade Student: Erica Gualajara
  • Outstanding 10th Grade Student:  Elise Price, Kiely Kasten
  • Outstanding 11th Grade Student:  Emily Downing
  • Outstanding 12th Grade Student:  Christian Kasten

 

Choir Captions

Choir awards were presented as follows:

  • Most Improved Female Vocalist:  Kiaja Bennett, Nicole DeGroot
  • Most Improved Male Vocalist:  Quinn McGovern, Adam Wallace
  • Mental Attitude:  Lorrin Alexander, Byron Cole
  • Outstanding Rookie:  Nicole DeGroot, Corbin Scheffer
  • Outstanding Soprano:  Anabella Niewiadomski
  • Outstanding Alto:  Madeline Murray, Taylor Smith
  • Outstanding Tenor:  Byron Cole, Gage Garpow
  • Outstanding Bass:  Joshua Tankersley
  • Music Theory:  Clark Gudas
  • National Anthem Citizenship:  Byron Cole, Gage Garpow, Tanner Johansen, Madeline Murray, Mary Murray, Taylor Smith, Joshua Tankersley, Karmen Wilcox
  • IMEA HS All-State Participation Award:  Joe Von Tobel
  • Outstanding 6th Grade Student: Jason Tankersley
  • Outstanding 7th Grade Student: Taylor Jennings
  • Outstanding 8th Grade Student: Victoria Behny, Claire Stout
  • Outstanding 9th Grade Student:   Courtney Kopka
  • Outstanding 10th Grade Student: Byron Cole, Anabella Niewiadomski
  • Outstanding 11th Grade Student:  Lorrin Alexander, Taylor Smith
  • Outstanding 12th Grade Student: Joshua Tankersley

 

Drama Captions

Drama awards were presented as follows:

  • Outstanding Musicianship:  Byron Cole, Madeline Murray, Anabella Niewiadomski, Corbin Scheffer
  • Outstanding Rookie:  Caleb Bucinski, Cecilia Kenney
  • Director's Award:  Mitch Reed
  • Outstanding Achievement:  Quinn McGovern, Anabella Niewiadomski
  • Mental Attitude:  Lorrin Alexander, Gage Garpow, Mary Murray, Joshua Tankersley, Taylor Smith, Adam Wallace
  • Most Improved:  Olivea Eshelman-Gorby, Travis Werner
  • Outstanding 9th Grade Student: Hollie Parish, Jet Terry
  • Outstanding 10th Grade Student: Braden Tankersley
  • Outstanding 11th Grade Student:  Lorrin Alexander
  • Outstanding 12th Grade Student: Joshua Tankersley

Special LES MISERABLES Commemorative Plaques:  Gage Garpow (Jean Valjean), Joshua Tankersley (Javert), Anabella Niewiadomski (Cosette), Byron Cole (Marius), Taylor Smith (Eponine), Tanner Johansen (Enjolras), Madeline Murray (Fantine), Lorrin Alexander (Madame Thenardier), Corbin Scheffer (Thenardier)

 

All students involved in band, choir and drama received participation certificates. All students in band or choir also received a music letter and chevron for one year participation, and a chevron for each additional year of participation. 

Before the awards presentations, a carry-in dinner was enjoyed. The Winamac Music Boosters funded the chicken and an ice-cream bar for the evening which was provided by The Patio of Francesville. 

  
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Local News Briefs

Stop signs to be added to two county intersections

The Pulaski County Highway Department will add stop signs Monday (April 28) to two county road intersections – one in southeast Rich Grove Township, and the second in northwest Monroe Township.

The new stop signs were approved April 14 in an ordinance adopted by the county commissioners.

Pulaski County Economic Development Summit April 29

The annual Pulaski County Economic Development Summit is set for 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, at the Knights of Columbus hall, Winamac. The event is hosted by the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

The keynote speaker will be Stephanie Wells, president of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute. The program will also feature the annual “State of the County Economy” address by CDC executive director Nathan Origer.

PMH seeks community input identifying health needs of local communities

Survey deadline May 17

WINAMAC - Pulaski Memorial Hospital has announced the launch of its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, a comprehensive initiative aimed at identifying and addressing the most pressing health needs of our local communities.

“Community feedback is essential” said Hospital CEO Steve Jarosinski. ”PMH will be gathering input from residents, local organizations, community leaders, and even other area healthcare professionals to better understand the health challenges and opportunities across the region.”

PCPL lists programs, activities for April

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for April. They include a celebration of National Library Week, a kids’ caring for the environment program, a Ladybug Welcome Sign craft, and an Earth Day craft.

For more information on any program, call the library at 574-946-3432 or visit the library’s website at www.pulaskicounty.lib.in.us.

PCT invites photographers to capture spirit of county in photo contest

Participate, share perspective on county

Pulaski County Tribe (PCT) has announced the launch of the "Embrace the Pace Pulaski County" photography contest, inviting photographers of all ages and skill levels to showcase life in Pulaski County through the lens of their cameras.

“With cash prizes and the opportunity to have your work displayed county-wide, this contest is an exciting way to celebrate the beauty and community of Pulaski County,” said Brandi Larkin, PCT president.

  

Indiana News

Indiana State Parks offer free admission May 4 for ‘Welcome Weekend’

INDIANAPOLIS - Celebrate the start of the outdoor recreation season with free admission to all Indiana State Parks properties Sunday, May 4, the second day of “Welcome Weekend” and the opening day of Visit Indiana Week.

Find an Indiana State Parks property and what’s new there at on.IN.gov/stateparks. If you’ve never visited, on.IN.gov/dnr-welcome offers helpful tips. 

Braun signs package of executive orders to ‘Make Indiana Healthy Again’

INDIANAPOLIS (April 15) – Gov. Mike Braun Tuesday signed a landmark package of executive orders with initiatives to improve Indiana’s health and well-being.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz were in attendance to support Indiana’s initiative. Indiana now joins a number of states that have embraced, through legislation or executive orders, Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement.

2025 Indiana General Assembly: Bill Watch

Members of the Indiana General Assembly are working through proposed legislation on such topics such as education, health care, housing, property tax reform, responsible management of water resources, and much more. Gov. Mike Braun has now begun the process of signing passed legislation into law.

The 2025 legislative session runs January through April 29. This is a “long session” during which legislators will craft a two-year state budget. The status of bills under consideration, in both the House and Senate, may be viewed here: IGA | Bills for 2025 Session.  

 

Indiana Health News

Measles cases climb to 800 nationwide; 8 in Indiana

Also: respiratory illness updates

INDIANAPOLIS (April 21) — The Indiana Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of measles and working with local health officials to help stop the spread of infection. The current reported cases are connected to each other but at this time there are no known links to outbreaks in other states.

Eight cases have been reported in the Indiana, all in Allen County.

  

Post News

Pulaski Superior Court appears saved

INDIANAPOLIS (April 24) – Pulaski Superior Court and seven other rural courts have been spared from closure, following revisions made to HB1144 approved by both the state house and senate Thursday evening in the Indiana General Assembly.

The legislation is now pending the approval of Gov. Mike Braun.

Community Foundation awards $15,000 in grants

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC) has announced $15,000 has been awarded in grants to local nonprofits and community organizations.

The following projects and organizations have received funding:

  • $5,000 to Pulaski County Historical Society – “We’re Moving!”
  • $10,000 to Pulaski Memorial Hospital – for a Community Health Worker

Chamber presents Don, Lynn Darda with 2025 Halleck Award

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce presented the 2025 Halleck Community Service Award to Don and Lynn Darda of Winamac at its annual award banquet Thursday evening (April 24), at the Winamac VFW.

The Dardas are both retired teachers in the Winamac schools and have been enthusiastic volunteers in a variety of projects throughout the years. 

Alliance Junior Board visits BraunAbility

The Alliance Bank Junior Board of Directors had the opportunity to visit BraunAbility in Winamac in April.

During their visit, the student directors were given a presentation about the company and had the chance to ask questions. They also had a tour of the facility, which allowed them to see the manufacturing process of vehicles equipped to assist individuals with disabilities.

Jury finds Monterey man guilty of attempted murder 

WINAMAC – A Pulaski County Circuit Court jury has found a Monterey man guilty of attempted murder in connection with a July 3, 2023 shooting in downtown Monterey.

Kenneth D. Ketcahm, 41, was also convicted on additional charges of criminal recklessness and pointing a firearm. The verdict was returned Monday (April 14).

Fatal crash on U.S. 421 under Investigation

MEDARYVILLE (April 15) – The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a crash which claimed the life of a Porter County man Tuesday on U.S 421 near the intersection of CR 800N in Cass Township.

The crash involved a dump truck and minivan. Release of the identity of the deceased minivan driver is pending the notification of family.