Top seniors are Valedictorian Ryan Lynch and Co-Salutatorians Natalie Kennedy and Jillian Hauptli.

The graduation ceremony will incorporate senior academic awards. Scholarship recipients will be recognized on an insert in the graduation program.

The graduation ceremonies were delayed from the original May date on the recommendation of state and local health departments for public safety during the current coronavirus pandemic.

A rehearsal for graduation ceremonies was Friday morning at the football field. Following the rehearsal, a cookout was held for the graduating class.

West Central superintendent is Dan Zylstra. High school principal is Scott Ritchie. Jeff Lowry is school board president.

 

West Central 2020 Scholarships:

 

Retired Ironworkers Scholarship - Avery Blackburn

Health Careers Scholarships – Jillian Hauptli, Jenna Miller, Brielle Shepperd

West Central Athletic Scholarships – Camille Wuethrich, Zane Kroft

Miles William Allen Memorial Scholarship - Avery Blackburn, Camille Wuethrich

Grace Pampel Scholarship - Ryan Lynch

Cindy McKinney Scholarship - Brenna McKay

Community Foundation of Pulaski County Scholarship – Kyle Smith

Alexander Gibson Memorial Scholarship – Brenna McKay

Barb Drone Education Scholarship - Brenna McKay

Carneal Scholarship – Jillian Hauptli

Alliance Bank Scholarship – Cameron Shidler

Northern IndianaPower From the Past - Jenna Cords

Psi Iota XI - Natalie Kennedy

Good Oil – Jillian Hauptli

Rausch Scholarship – Zane Kroft

Hoover Scholarship – Avery Blackburn

John and Violet Wuethrich Agriculture Scholarship - Ryan Lynch, Zane Kroft

Koster Family Scholarships – Ryan Lynch, Natalie Kennedy, Jillian Hauptli, Camille Wuethrich, Brenna McKay, Kyle Smith

West Central National Honor Society Scholarships – Jillian Hauptli, Cameron Shidler

West Central Student Council Scholarship – Kyle Smith

West Central FFA Scholarships - Ryan Lynch, Jenna Cords, Cameron Shidler, Zane Kroft, Avery Blackburn, Kyle Smith

Francesville American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship - Kaitlyn Allen

Doris Petra Scholarship – Samantha Garlach

Walter John and Wanda Joan Buczek Memorial Scholarship – Jenna Bolen

Terry Stevens Memorial Scholarships – Jessica Baran

Brandon Conley Memorial Scholarship – Brenna McKay

Deb Haring Memorial Scholarship – Jillian Hauptli,

Dr. Mike Gutwein Memorial Scholarship – Ryan Lynch

Mike Rishel Memorial Scholarship – Brielle Shepperd

Dickinson Family Scholarship – Avery Blackburn

Mellon Family Scholarship – Jillian Hauptli

Patio Drive In Scholarship – Natalie Kennedy, Camille Wuethrich

Francesville Fire Department Scholarship – Brielle Shepperd

Ralph Harris Memorial Scholarship – Jenna Miller

Lerch Family Scholarship – Cameron Shidler

Fulmer Seed and Services Scholarship – Avery Blackburn

Martha Timm Memorial Scholarship – Brenna McKay

Getz Family Scholarship – Alexis Hunter

Overmyer Family Scholarship – Natalie Kennedy, Camille Wuethrich

Jeanette Moncel Memorial Scholarship – Kaitlyn Allen

Jeff Moncel/Phil Pixey Memorial Scholarship – Jessica Baran

William J. Hubbard Memorial Scholarship – Natalie Kennedy, Jillian Hauptli

Angie Huber Memorial Scholarship – Camille Wuethrich

Betty Rebeck Memorial Scholarship – Brenna McKay

Freshour Scholarships – Ryan Lynch, Jenna Miller, Kaitlyn Allen, Samantha Garlach

Foundation Scholarship – Kyle Smith

James Henderson Memorial Scholarship – Zane Kroft

Doris Brase Scholarship – Jenna Bolen

Co-Operative Elevator Scholarship – Cameron Shidler, Jenna Cords, Zane Kroft

Rose Acres Scholarship – Jenna Cords

Ladybug Cleaners Scholarship – Alexis Hunter, Evelyn Davis

Ralph and Carol Tanner Memorial Scholarship – Brielle Shepperd

West Central Scholarships – Ryan Lynch, Natalie Kennedy, Jillian Hauptli, Camille Wuethrich, Jenna Miller, Jenna Bolen, Brenna McKay, Kaitlyn Allen, Kyle Smith, Cameron Shidler, Jenna Cords, Samantha Garlach

 

Senior Awards - 2020

 

Honor Roll:

Kaitlyn Allen
Jenna Bolen
Jenna Cords
Evelyn Davis
Jillian Hauptli
Natalie Kennedy
Annarea Kimberly
Nikita Kronvall
Ryan Lynch
Brenna McKay
Jenna Miller
Cameron Shidler
Kyle Smith
Kameron Whitrock
Camille Wuethrich

 

4-Year Athletic Awards:

Jillian Hauptli
Griffin McIlvain
Camron Neeley
Kyle Smith
Camille Wuethrich

Business Award:

Jessica Baran

 

Health Careers (CNA):

Jillian Hauptli
Nikita Kronvall
Jenna Miller
Tamara Neeley
Brielle Shepperd

Spanish Award

Natalie Kennedy

 

Art Award:

Francine Coffer

 

English Award:

Jenna Bolen (Outstanding)
Damien Cruz (Most Improved)

 

Mathematics Award:

Jillian Hauptli (Calculus)

 

Economics Awards:

Natalie Kennedy
Ryan Lynch

 

Trojan Opportunity Academy:

Wendy Garcia (Extraordinary Effort)

 

NHS Members:

Katie Allen
Jessica Baran
Jenna Bolen
Jenna Cords
Keegan Doughty
Samantha Garlach
Jillian Hauptli
Natalie Kennedy
Ryan Lynch
Jenna Miller
Brielle Shepperd
Cameron Shidler
Kyle Smith
Camille Wuethrich

Academic Honors Diplomas:

Kaitlyn Allen
Jenna Bolen
Keegan Doughty
Samantha Garlach
Jillian Hauptli
Natalie Kennedy
Ryan Lynch
Jenna Miller
Brielle Shepperd
Cameron Shidler
Kyle Smith
Kameron Whitrock
Camille Wuethrich

 

Technical Honors Diplomas:

Jenna Cords
Keegan Doughty
Jillian Hauptli
Zane Kroft
Ryan Lynch
Jenna Miller
Brielle Shepperd
Cameron Shidler
Kyle Smith
Wyatt Watts
Camille Wuethrich

Senior Leadership Awards:

Jenna Cords
Kyle Smith

 

Principal’s Award:

Chance Holliday

 

DAR Good Citizen:

Jenna Cords

 

President’s Education Award:

Jenna Bolen
Natalie Kennedy
Ryan Lynch
Kyle Smith

 

Top 5 Scholars:

Ryan Lynch
Natalie Kennedy
Jillian Hauptli
Camille Wuethrich
Jenna Miller

 

Valedictorian: Ryan Lynch

Co-Salutatorians: Jillian Hauptli and Natalie Kennedy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members of the Class of 2020 are:

 

 

  
Pulaski Health Care Center
Pulaski Health Care Center - Parkview
FNB Monterery
Habitat
Ace Hardware
WKVI Side

Local News Briefs

PCPL lists activities, programs for May

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for May. They include restorative yoga classes, adult canvas painting, and the opening celebration of the Story Trail at the park.

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. 

Spring property taxes due Monday, May 12

Pulaski County taxpayers are reminded by the Pulaski County Treasurer's Office that the spring installment of property taxes are due Monday, May 12.

The taxes may be paid at the County Building (Rm. 307) or County Highway Garage in Winamac, or at several banks around the county.

Yakym district staff to hold local mobile office hours May 7 in Medaryville

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) has announced that his staff will hold mobile office hours in Pulaski County May 7, in Medaryville.

Yakym’s mobile office will visit throughout Indiana's Second District in May to assist constituents with casework questions.

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.

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.”

  

Indiana News

Northwest Indiana Forum hosts legislative wrap-up

CHESTERTON (May 2) – The Northwest Indiana Forum welcomed over 90 members for its annual Legislative Wrap-Up event Friday featuring bipartisan legislators from Northwest Indiana.

An engaging and informative panel discussion with the six key state lawmakers reflected on the 2025 Indiana General Assembly session and its impact on the region.

Pulaski County March unemployment rate drops to 3.1%

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 3.1 percent in March, down from 4.3 percent in February, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (April 21). The rate was 3.7 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,586 employed persons in a labor force of 6,795 in March. In February those numbers were 6,533 of 6,830. A year ago the numbers were 6,302 of 6.546.

 

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.

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

Economic Summit addresses county's financial health, state budget

'Making a place where we choose to live'
With a major restoration of the county courthouse nearing completion and a host of additional business and community projects under development, the mood was upbeat at the annual Pulaski County Economic Development Summit Tuesday (April 29). The event is hosted by the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

CDC executive director Nathan Origer gave updates on projects and county economics, while keynote speaker Stephanie Wells, president of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute, reviewed legislation from this year's session of the Indiana General Assembly.

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. 

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.

BraunAbility to expand Winamac facilities with new product line

WINAMAC - BraunAbility has announced a $3.8 million investment in its Winamac operations to support production of the new BraunAbility Ram ProMaster.

This funding will cover land acquisition, land work, fencing, drainage and building improvements. Construction, utilizing local contractors, will continue through Spring 2026.

Marlatt, Vanderkleed join IBA 40-Year Club

FRANCESVILLE - Alliance Bank has recently recognized Kimberly Marlatt and Lori Vanderkleed with membership into the 40-Year Club of the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA).

The club recognizes banking professionals who have completed 40 years or more of service to the Indiana banking community. Inductees are given IBA keepsakes and letters of congratulations.