2011 SENIOR AWARDS RECIPIENTS

HONOR ROLL AWARDS:

High Honor Roll: Caitlin Berlin, Carlie Elston, Jacob Huff, Jon Pelsy, Erica Putt, Chelsea Schultz, Jake Smidler.
Honor Roll: Branden Amsler, Chelsey Ballard, Amanda Bloch, Alex Chrzan, Aeron Gault-Jiminez, Phil Gudeman, Aaron Heims, Sawyer Holliday, Gavin Martinez, Zach Miller, Dalton Powell, Brittany Ricks, Cheyenne Smith, Bianka Teeters, Jennifer VanOort, Lauren Werner, Lukas Whited, Mark Wuethrich, Megan Young

DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS:

Athletic—4 Year Awards—Chelsey Ballard, Chase Holliday, Jacob Huff, Trent Johns, Joel Kruger, Zach Miller, Courtney Nelson, Dalton Powell, Jake Smidler, Jennifer VanOort, Lauren Werner

Business - Outstanding Business Student - Dalton Powell

English - Senior English Awards—Makenzie Holland

Life Skills Awards - CLASS ACT - Alex Chrzan, Chase Holliday, Joe King, Dalton Powell, Courtney Nelson, Jozlyn Wall. Life Skills Cadet Teacher of the Year - Alex Chrzan. Life Skills Students of the Year - Sara Evans/Carrie Southern

Math - Senior Calculus Award - Jonathan Pelsy

National Honor Society Members - Medallions: Chelsey Ballard, Makenzie Holland, Trent Johns, Gavin Martinez, Jonathan Pelsy, Dalton Powell, Erica Putt, Brittany Ricks, Chelsea Schultz, Jacob Smidler, Bianka Teeters, Jennifer VanOort, Lauren Werner, Mark Wuethrich

DISTINGUISHED AWARDS:

Academic Honors Diplomas - Branden Amsler, Chelsey Ballard, Alex Chrzan, Makenzie Holland, Jacob Huff, Gavin Martinez, Jonathan Pelsy, Dalton Powell, Erica Putt, Brittany Ricks, Chelsea Schultz, Jacob Smidler, Bianka Teeters, Jennifer VanOort, Lauren Werner, Lukas Whited, Mark Wuethrich, Megan Young
Technical Honors Diplomas - Zach Miller, Josh Zeltwanger
D.A.R. Good Citizen Award - Jennifer VanOort
USMC Awards - Scholastic Excellence - Jonathan Pelsy, Erica Putt. Semper Fidelis Award - Trent Johns. Distinguished Athletes - Zach Miller, Jennifer VanOort
Boys’ State - Matt Carter, Mark Wuethrich
Girls’ State - Chelsea Schultz
Academic All-Star - Erica Putt
President’s Education Awards - Makenzie Holland, Jonathan Pelsy, Erica Putt, Chelsea Schultz, Jacob Smidler, Lauren Werner, Lukas Whited
Senior Leadership Awards –Jake Smidler
Principal’s Leadership Award - Erica Putt
Salutatorian - Jonathan Pelsy
Valedictorian - Erica Putt

 

SCHOLARSHIPS:

  • Health Careers Scholarship - Carlie Elston
  • West Central Athletic Scholarships - Alex Chrzan, Jake Smidler, Jennifer VanOort, Josh Zeltwanger
  • Pulaski Foundation Carneal Scholarships - Carlie Elston
  • Alliance Bank Scholarship – Erica Putt
  • Koster Family Scholarships - Makenzie Holland, Jacob Huff, Jonathan Pelsy, Erica Putt, Brittany Ricks, Chelsea Schultz, Jacob Smidler
  • Barbara J. Drone Scholarship - Bianka Teeters
  • Purdue 4-H Foundation Scholarship - Erica Putt
  • Purdue University Presidential Scholarship - Jonathan Pelsy
  • West Central National Honor Society Scholarship - Jonathan Pelsy
  • West Central Student Council Scholarship - Jennifer VanOort
  • West Central FFA Scholarships - Jonathan Pelsy, Erica Putt
  • Deb Haring Memorial Scholarship – Zach Miller
  • Francesville Legion Auxiliary Scholarship - Jennifer VanOort
  • VFW Post 1728 Scholarship – Jake Smidler
  • VFW Post 1728 Auxiliary Scholarship - Lauren Werner
  • Francesville Volunteer Fire Department Scholarship –Brittany Ricks
  • 40 et 8 Nursing Scholarship - Carlie Elston
  • Knights of Columbus Scholarship – Brittany Ricks
  • Mike Rishel Memorial Scholarship – Jacob Huff
  • Pulaski County Power From the Past Scholarship - Jacob Smidler
  • Brandon Carlson Memorial Scholarship - Chelsey Ballard
  • Reece/Sharron McGee Scholarship - Makenzie Holland
  • Mellon Family Scholarship - Jacob Huff
  • Pulaski County Soil/Water Scholarship - Jonathan Pelsy
  • Anderson Family Scholarships - Chelsea Schultz, Lauren Werner, Mark Wuethrich
  • Ralph Harris Memorial - Chelsea Schultz
  • Lerch Family Scholarship - Dalton Powell
  • Fulmer Seeds/Service Scholarship - Jake Smidler
  • Martha Timm Memorial Scholarship - Gavin Martinez
  • Roger/Leanna Dickinson Scholarship – Philip Gudeman
  • Francesville-Salem Township Library Petra Scholarship – Bianka Teeters
  • Richard Overmyer Memorial Scholarship – Bianka Teeters
  • Jeff Moncel/Phil Pixey Memorial Scholarship – Jennifer VanOort
  • Jeanette Moncel Memorial Scholarship - Sawyer Holliday
  • Dr. Mike Gutwein Memorial Scholarship – Josh Zeltwanger
  • John Wuethrich Scholarship - Zach Miller
  • William J. Hubbard Memorial Scholarship – Carlie Elston
  • Angie Huber Memorial Scholarship – Chelsey Ballard
  • The Patio Drive In Scholarship - Chelsey Schultz/Bianka Teeters
  • Betty Rebeck Memorial Scholarship - Bianka Teeters
  • Chris Najafiarab Memorial Scholarship - Bryce Murray
  • Freshour Scholarships - Branden Amsler, Alex Chrzan, Zachary Miller, Brittany Ricks
  • Saint Joseph’s College Scholarship - Trent Johns
  • Irene Kottka Scholarship - Alex Fischer
  • Francesville Lions Club Scholarship - Bryce Murray
  • IVY Tech Scholarships - Chelsey Ballard, Dalton Powell, Mark Wuethrich
  • Skalon/DeBoard Family Scholarship - Sawyer Holliday
  • Dr. Cecil/Gladys Johnson Scholarship - Jennifer VanOort
  • Getz Family Scholarship - Jonathan Pelsy
  • West Central Scholarships - Branden Amsler, Chelsey Ballard, Alex Chrzan, Alex Fischer, Phil Gudeman, Sawyer Holliday, Gavin Martinez, Dalton Powell, Josh Zeltwanger
  
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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 America 250 committee to meet April 28

The Pulaski County America 250 Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Monday (April 28) at the new Pulaski County Historical Society Museum, 110 N. Monticello St., Winamac.

All who are interested in helping to develop county plans to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary beginning this summer through 2026 is welcome to attend. Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to attend the meeting.

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.

  

Indiana News

Southbound I-65 reopens in Jasper County following hazmat fire

ROSELAWN (April 22) - I-65 southbound reopened near mile marker 230 at approximately 6:30 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, almost 17 hours following a spectacular semi-truck fire and hazmat cleanup which included an overnight repaving of a section of the interstate. No injuries were reported.

After assessing the damage to the roadway, the Indiana Department of Transportation determined that the accident scene needed to be resurfaced. INDOT already has a contract in place for this area for pavement patching with Rieth-Riley Construction, and they were able to mobilize to take over the scene once cleanup was complete. A total of 7,700 square feet of asphalt to a depth of four inches (and six inches on the outside shoulder) had to be replaced overnight.

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.

Pulaski County unemployment rate up slightly at 4.3 percent in February

Pulaski County's unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3 percent in February, up from 4.2 percent in January, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (March 31). The rate was 3.8 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,535 employed persons in a labor force of 6,831 in February. In January those numbers were 6,507 of 6,793. A year ago the numbers were 6,381 of 6.645.

 

Update: Avian Influenza continues to affect wild birds across Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS (March 3) - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to detect highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds throughout Indiana and has currently detected the H5NI virus in 30 counties.

HPAI is also suspected in an additional 32 counties based on reports involving the deaths of raptors, cranes, and waterfowl. Thirteen affected birds have been reported in Pulaski County, with significantly high cases found in neighboring Starke and Jasper counties.

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.

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. 

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

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.