June 10, 2009

Letter to the Editor:

So many times we hear about today’s youth in a negative way. We would like to recognize the positive efforts of local middle school students and thank area businesses for their support.

Churubusco Middle School has a student incentive program named Kitty Hawk. This program was designed to develop good study habits which will later become the basis for positive work habits in the job market, and to recognize students for their efforts in being reliable citizens. It is intended to provide positive incentives for students to complete work at an age when peer acceptance is a higher priority and doing homework is not “cool”.

During the second semester, students who completed all homework and handed it in on time in a core class had the opportunity to create a paper airplane to fly toward various targets that represented prizes. Students could also earn one extra plane if they completed work in ALL core classes the last two 9-week periods, enabling them to fly as many as 10 planes.

The fly-in was held in the gym a few days before the end of the school year. All participants received several free items. Those that completed these requirements in all core classes received a case of pop and a free pizza certificate, along with other free coupons.

All eligible participants also put their card in a box for a drawing to give away all prizes not won by a plane toss. Some prizes given away included a personal computer, Wii game system, TV, I-Pods, gift certificates, and much more.

The program this year was successful. With a total student body of 285 students, 88% were able to fly at least one plane. Because of the generous donations from many local businesses, all students eligible to fly a plane received something for their efforts. We would like to thank the following businesses for their donations of prizes, gift certificates, etc., for this endeavor.

Kitty Hawk would not be possible without such great community support from not only Churubusco businesses, but Columbia City and Fort Wayne, as well!

Heartfelt thanks to:

• Applebee’s
• Bones Theatre
• CHS Athletic Department
• Pro Systems LLC
• Best Buy
• Dairy Queen Brazier
• Churubusco Family Dentistry
• Shroyer’s Variety & True Value Hardware
• Cohen Orthodontics
• Paige’s Crossing Family Center
• Churubusco Watch & Jewelry
• Star Financial Bank
• Crazy Pinz
• Papa John’s Pizza
• East of Chicago Pizza
• Subway Sandwich Shop
• Indianapolis Colts
• Pizza Hut
• Farmers & Merchants Bank
• The Bargain House
• Meijer Inc
• Pizza King
• Fort Financial Federal Credit Union
• The Watering Can Florist
• Papa Murphy’s Pizza
• Wal-Mart Hair Solutions
• Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers
• YMCA of Whitley County
• J&D Photography
• Putt-Putt Golf & Games
• John Schmidt Financial Services
• RAVE Movie Theater
• Star Insurance
• Roller Dome Skate Center
• K&K Video
• Target Stores
• Magic Wand Restaurant
• Texas Roadhouse
• McDonald’s
• Tokens ‘N’ Tickets
• Mor For Less
• Toys R Us
• Mountain Top Coffee House
• Ultrazone Family Entertainment
• Perry’s Country Store
• WAJI Majic 95.1 FM
• Pit Stop Pizza

Sincerely,

Churubusco Middle School Staff