Nick Uecker will remain in the District 3 Smith-Green School board seat he was appointed to just weeks ago after defeating Adam Cartwright, 958-897 in Tuesday’s election.

Uecker said he was “very, very glad” when he heard the results. “I just hope I can live up to everyone’s expectations,” he said late Tuesday night.

Locally, the Republicans could claim a sweep, but across the nation, that was not the case.

There was dancing and jubilation in the streets as it was announced that Barack Obama had won the election. In Chicago, it was estimated that more than a million people gathered to hear Obama’s celebratory speech. Among the crowd stood many well-known African American  leaders as well as celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Spike Lee and Brad Pitt.

Obama moved many in the crowd to tears as he said, “I see you and I need your help.”

“The road will be steep, but I promise … we, as a people, will get there.”

He praised John McCain and said he was looking forward to working with the war hero who had always fought valiantly for his country.

He told his two young daughters that they had earned a new puppy to take to their new home in the White House. He also thanked his wife, Michelle, who he called “the love of my life” and recognized his grandmother - who recently passed away.

At 1:30 a.m. the presidential race in Indiana was still too close to call. But that didn’t matter to many.

Several Churubusco students living in Bloomington and attending Indiana University said the campus and Bloomington in general erupted in celebration - complete with fireworks and “lots of yelling, screaming and tears of joy,” after it was announced that Obama had gathered the electoral votes needed to win the election. Hundreds of I.U. students gathered around Bloomington throughout the day in election watch parties and also were featured throughout the evening on NBC.

Following are the Whitley County and Smith Township results:

WHITLEY COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS:

Machine ballots: Machine Ballots - 11686

Number of precincts reported 33 of 34 - (As of midnight, Richland South was not yet in);

Absentee Ballots - 3712

Registered voters, 72.04%

President and Vice President
60.00% John McCain (R)
38.55% Barack Obama (D)
1.22% Bob Barr (L)
0.23% Write-In

Governor and Lieutenant Governor
60.44% Mitch Daniels (R)
37.39% Jill Long Thompson (D)
2.14% Andy Horning (L)
0.03% Write-In

Attorney General
55.53% Greg Zoeller (R)
44.47% Linda Pence (D)

Superintendent of Public Instruction
61.75% Tony Bennett (R)
38.21% Richard D. Wood (D)
0.04% Write-In
U.S. Rep District 3

55.74% Mark Edward Souder (R)
38.25% Michael A. (Mike) Montagano (D)
6.02% William R. Larsen (L)

State Rep District 50
100.00% Dan J. Leonard (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

State Rep District 83
64.73% Matt Bell (R)
31.80% Steven B. Heaston (D)
3.47% Herbert (Jack) Evans (L)

County Treasurer
100.00% Lisa A. Richmond (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

County Coroner
100.00% Scott A. Smith (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

County Surveyor
No Candidate Filed (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

County Commissioner District 1
60.52% Tom Rethlake (R)
39.48% Timothy D. Hearld (D)

County Commissioner District 3
100.00% Don Amber (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

County Council At-Large
27.76% Jim Banks (R)
27.20% Bill Overdeer (R)
27.26% Thomas Western (R)
17.78% Cliff Crance (D)

Smith-Green School District 1
No Candidate Filed

Smith-Green School District 2
100.00% Steven Lee Edwards

Smith-Green School District 3
48.36% Adam Cartwright
51.64% Nicholas B. Uecker

Whitley Co School Columbia City
39.66% Christopher A. Bechtold
16.44% Eric Horvath
43.90% Stanley E. Meyer

Whitley County School Corp Etna
44.00% Donald L. Smith
56.00% Jill E. Western

Whitley County School Corporation Jefferson
100.00% Steven J. Hively
Whitley County School Corporation Union
59.30% Deborah G. Hiss
40.70% Mark Roach

Whitley County School Corp Washington
100.00% James Renbarger
Straight Party Summary Information - Democratic Party 1053; Libertarian Party 4; Republican Party 2492.

SMITH WEST ELECTION SUMMARY:

Machine Ballots - M Absentee Ballots - A

REGISTERED VOTERS: 79.44%

President and Vice President
Machine Ballots-Absentee ballots-Total votes-Percentage-Name of candidate

230-60-290-68.88%-John McCain (R)
89-35-124-29.45% Barack Obama (D)
1.43% Bob Barr (L)

0.24% Write-In

VOTES 408 Governor and Lieutenant Governor
M A Votes %

222-56-278-8.14%-Mitch Daniels (R)
91 33 124 30.39% Jill Long Thompson (D)
5 1 6 1.47% Andy Horning (L)

VOTES- 386 Attorney General
M A Votes %

185-48-233-60.36%-Greg Zoeller (R)
114 39 153 39.64% Linda Pence (D)

VOTES- 363 Superintendent of Public Instruction

196 51 247 68.04% Tony Bennett (R)
82 34 116 31.96% Richard D. Wood (D)

VOTES- 410 U.S. Rep District 3
M A Votes %

199 48 247 60.24% Mark Edward Souder (R)
99 35 134 32.68% Michael A. (Mike) Montagano (D)
21 8 29 7.07% William R. Larsen (L)

VOTES= 392 State Rep District 83
M A Votes %

217 57 274 69.90% Matt Bell (R)
74 27 101 25.77% Steven B. Heaston (D)
14 3 17 4.34% Herbert (Jack) Evans (L)

VOTES= 339 County Treasurer VOTE FOR 1
264 75 339 100.00% Lisa A. Richmond (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES- 331 County Coroner
256 75 331 100.00% Scott A. Smith (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES- 0 County Surveyor
No Candidate Filed (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 382 County Commissioner District 1
203 62 265 69.37% Tom Rethlake (R)
90 27 117 30.63% Timothy D. Hearld (D)

VOTES- 346 County Commissioner District 3
267 79 346 100.00% Don Amber (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES- 922 County Council At-Large
M A Votes %

200 64 264 28.63% Jim Banks (R)
194 65 259 28.09% Bill Overdeer (R)
193 65 258 27.98% Thomas Western (R)
109 32 141 15.29% Cliff Crance (D)

VOTES- 0 Smith-Green School District - No Candidate Filed

VOTES- 296 Smith-Green School District 2
226 70 296 100.00% Steven Lee Edwards

VOTES- 340 Smith-Green School District 3
136 43 179 52.65% Adam Cartwright
128 33 161 47.35% Nicholas B. Uecker

Straight Party Summary Information - Democratic Party 13; Libertarian Party 0; Republican Party 81.

SMITH SOUTH:

M- Machine Ballots (295)

A- Absentee Ballots (78) REGISTERED VOTERS: 71.18%

VOTES- 370 President and Vice President
M A Votes %

188 36 224 60.54% John McCain (R)
101 40 141 38.11% Barack Obama (D)
4 1 5 1.35% Bob Barr (L)

VOTES- 357 Governor and Lieutenant Governor

M A Votes %
175 42 217 60.78% Mitch Daniels (R)
99 33 132 36.97% Jill Long Thompson (D)
6 2 8 2.24% Andy Horning (L)

VOTES= 345 Attorney General
M A Votes %

147 38 185 53.62% Greg Zoeller (R)
125 35 160 46.38% Linda Pence (D)

VOTES= 341 Superintendent of Public Instruction
175 36 211 61.88% Tony Bennett (R)
93 37 130 38.12% Richard D. Wood (D)

VOTES= 360 U.S. Rep District 3
173 36 209 58.06% Mark Edward Souder (R)
90 37 127 35.28% Michael A. (Mike) Montagano (D)
20 4 24 6.67% William R. Larsen (L)

VOTES= 352 State Rep District 83
M A Votes %

186 37 223 63.35% Matt Bell (R)
79 37 116 32.95% Steven B. Heaston (D)
11 2 13 3.69% Herbert (Jack) Evans (L)

VOTES= 288 County Treasurer
235 53 288 100.00% Lisa A. Richmond (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 286 County Coroner
234 52 286 100.00% Scott A. Smith (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 0 County Surveyor

No Candidate Filed (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 345 County Commissioner District
M A Votes %

174 39 213 61.74% Tom Rethlake (R)
98 34 132 38.26% Timothy D. Hearld (D)

VOTES= 288 County Commissioner District 3
233 55 288 100.00% Don Amber (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 800 County Council At-Large
183 39 222 27.75% Jim Banks (R)
181 38 219 27.38% Bill Overdeer (R)
177 43 220 27.50% Thomas Western (R)
102 37 139 17.38% Cliff Crance (D)

VOTES= 0 Smith-Green School District - No Candidate Filed

VOTES= 248 Smith-Green School District 2
M A Votes %

201 47 248 100.00% Steven Lee Edwards

VOTES= 284 Smith-Green School District 3
117 22 139 48.94% Adam Cartwright
111 34 145 51.06% Nicholas B. Uecker

Straight Party Summary Information - Democratic Party 36; Libertarian Party 0; Republican Party 76.

SMITH NORTHWEST:

M-Machine Ballots (570) A-Absentee Ballots 77 REGISTERED VOTERS: 67.47%

VOTES= 639 President and Vice President
M A Votes %

347 43 390 61.03% John McCain (R)
204 33 237 37.09% Barack Obama (D)
10 0 10 1.56% Bob Barr (L)
1 1 2 0.31% Write-In

VOTES= 628 Governor and Lieutenant Governor
346 50 396 63.06% Mitch Daniels (R)
197 20 217 34.55% Jill Long Thompson (D)
10 5 15 2.39% Andy Horning (L)

VOTES= 606 Attorney General
M A Votes %

294 44 338 55.78% Greg Zoeller (R)
238 30 268 44.22% Linda Pence (D)

VOTES= 592 Superintendent of Public Instruction
332 45 377 63.68% Tony Bennett (R)
189 26 215 36.32% Richard D. Wood (D)

VOTES= 634 U.S. Rep District 3
313 47 360 56.78% Mark Edward Souder (R)
206 28 234 36.91% Michael A. (Mike) Montagano (D)
38 2 40 6.31% William R. Larsen (L)

VOTES= 613 State Rep District 83

M A Votes %
353 44 397 64.76% Matt Bell (R)
163 27 190 31.00% Steven B. Heaston (D)
22 4 26 4.24% Herbert (Jack) Evans (L)

VOTES= 515 County Treasurer
455 60 515 100.00% Lisa A. Richmond (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 520 County Coroner
460 60 520 100.00% Scott A. Smith (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 0 County Surveyor
No Candidate Filed (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 595 County Commissioner District 1
329 47 376 63.19% Tom Rethlake (R)
191 28 219 36.81% Timothy D. Hearld (D)

VOTES= 498 County Commissioner District 3
441 57 498 100.00% Don Amber (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 1,389 County Council At-Large
350 48 398 28.65% Jim Banks (R)
342 44 386 27.79% Bill Overdeer (R)
317 40 357 25.70% Thomas Western (R)
220 28 248 17.85% Cliff Crance (D)

VOTES= 0 Smith-Green School District 1 - No Candidate Filed

VOTES= 450 Smith-Green School District 2
401 49 450 100.00% Steven Lee Edwards

VOTES= 505 Smith-Green School District 3
205 34 239 47.33% Adam Cartwright
244 22 266 52.67% Nicholas B. Uecker

Straight Party Summary Information - Democratic Party 53; Libertarian Party 0; Republican Party 134.

SMITH NORTHEAST:

M- Machine Ballots 487 A- Absentee Ballots REGISTERED VOTERS: 72.65%

VOTES= 558 President and Vice President
M A Votes %

292 37 329 58.96% John McCain (R)
183 36 219 39.25% Barack Obama (D)
8 1 9 1.61% Bob Barr (L)
1 1 0.18% Write-In

VOTES= 549 Governor and Lieutenant Governor
291 37 328 59.74% Mitch Daniels (R)
163 36 199 36.25% Jill Long Thompson (D)
21 1 22 4.01% Andy Horning (L)

VOTES= 528 Attorney General
263 40 303 57.39% Greg Zoeller (R)
193 32 225 42.61% Linda Pence (D)

VOTES= 514 Superintendent of Public Instruction
282 43 325 63.23% Tony Bennett (R)
158 31 189 36.77% Richard D. Wood (D)

VOTES= 553 U.S. Rep District 3
270 32 302 54.61% Mark Edward Souder (R)
167 41 208 37.61% Michael A. (Mike) Montagano (D)
41 2 43 7.78% William R. Larsen (L)

VOTES= 537 State Rep District 83
321 44 365 67.97% Matt Bell (R)
125 28 153 28.49% Steven B. Heaston (D)
17 2 19 3.54% Herbert (Jack) Evans (L)

VOTES= 444 County Treasurer
390 54 444 100.00% Lisa A. Richmond (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 441 County Coroner
388 53 441 100.00% Scott A. Smith (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 0 County Surveyor
No Candidate Filed (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 523 County Commissioner District 1
298 42 340 65.01% Tom Rethlake (R)
152 31 183 34.99% Timothy D. Hearld (D)

VOTES= 443 County Commissioner District 3
391 52 443 100.00% Don Amber (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 1,207 County Council At-Large
290 49 339 28.09% Jim Banks (R)
291 44 335 27.75% Bill Overdeer (R)
274 48 322 26.68% Thomas Western (R)
180 31 211 17.48% Cliff Crance (D)

VOTES= 0 Smith-Green School District 1
No Candidate Filed

VOTES= 394 Smith-Green School District 2
349 45 394 100.00% Steven Lee Edwards

VOTES= 443 Smith-Green School District 3
167 20 187 42.21% Adam Cartwright
228 28 256 57.79% Nicholas B. Uecker

Straight Party Summary Information - Democratic Party 41; Libertarian Party 0; Republican Party 103.

SMITH-EAST:

M-Machine Ballots (294) A-Absentee Ballots (50) REGISTERED VOTERS: 70.49%

VOTES= 339 President and Vice President
166 31 197 58.11% John McCain (R)
121 17 138 40.71% Barack Obama (D)
3 0 3 0.88% Bob Barr (L)
1 0 1 0.29% Write-In

VOTES= 328 Governor and Lieutenant Governor
160 25 185 56.40% Mitch Daniels (R)
114 21 135 41.16% Jill Long Thompson (D)
7 0 7 2.13% Andy Horning (L)
0 1 1 0.30% Write-In

VOTES= 317 Attorney General
144 25 169 53.31% Greg Zoeller (R)
128 20 148 46.69% Linda Pence (D)

VOTES= 313 Superintendent of Public Instruction
171 27 198 63.26% Tony Bennett (R)
95 20 115 36.74% Richard D. Wood (D)

VOTES= 336 U.S. Rep District 3
153 31 184 54.76% Mark Edward Souder (R)
112 17 129 38.39% Michael A. (Mike) Montagano (D)
23 0 23 6.85% William R. Larsen (L)

VOTES= 324 State Rep District 83
161 33 194 59.88% Matt Bell (R)
100 14 114 35.19% Steven B. Heaston (D)
16 0 16 4.94% Herbert (Jack) Evans (L)

VOTES= 273 County Treasurer
238 35 273 100.00% Lisa A. Richmond (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 273 County Coroner
237 36 273 100.00% Scott A. Smith (R)
0 0 0 0 0.00% No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 0 County Surveyor
No Candidate Filed (R)

No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 312 County Commissioner District 1
158 27 185 59.29% Tom Rethlake (R)
110 17 127 40.71% Timothy D. Hearld (D)

VOTES= 267 County Commissioner District 3
229 38 267 100.00% Don Amber (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 759 County Council At-Large
181 30 211 27.80% Jim Banks (R)
173 33 206 27.14% Bill Overdeer (R)
159 31 190 25.03% Thomas Western (R)
133 19 152 20.03% Cliff Crance (D)

VOTES= 0 Smith-Green School District 1
No Candidate Filed

VOTES= 260 Smith-Green School District 2
223 37 260 100.00% Steven Lee Edwards

VOTES= 283 Smith-Green School District 3
136 17 153 54.06% Adam Cartwright
108 22 130 45.94% Nicholas B. Uecker

Straight Party Summary Information - Democratic Party 19; Libertarian Party 0; Republican Party 59.

For more Whitley County Precinct information or summaries go to elections.whitleynet.org.

SGCS 2 hour in service - Early Release at 1pm on Wednesday 11/19/08

Two middle school girls were recognized in the month of October in the Smith-Green School’s Spotlight on Success.

Emily Hively and Nicole Lampe were recognized for their award-winning work in the Columbia City Post & Mail’s Design an Ad contest.

Emily is the daughter of Jodie and Tony Hivley and won the design contest with her ad created for Eel River Golf Course in Churubusco. She is involved in basketball, track and choir.

Churubusco Middle School students Nicole Lampe, left, and Emily Hivley were honored for their achievements at a recent school board meeting.

Nicole - the daughter of Len and Erin Lampe - was named runner-up in the contest with her ad created for Culligan Water Treatment. She is involved in volleyball, choir, Girl Scouts, church youth group, Destination Imagination and maintains high academic honors.

The girls were recognized at an October school board meeting and introduced by their principal, John Davis.

Ashley Gilbert - 2008-09 CHS Homecoming Queen - and her escort, Brenan Herendeen. Both are seniors at Churubusco High School.

Gilbert plans to attend college and become a nurse after she graduates from CHS next spring.

Gilbert, the daughter of Andy and LeAnn Gilbert of Churubusco, was escorted by Brenan Herendeen, son of Tina and Tim Herendeen, also of Churubusco.

Gilbert is a football and basketball cheerleader and also is part of a CHS stunt team.

She was one of five seniors who were nominated for the senior court.

Other nominees included:

Tiffany LeFever

Senior, Homecoming Court

Tiffany LeFever is the daughter of Brian and Tana LeFever and was escorted by fellow senior Cameron Gross, son of Luke and Kelly Gross, all of Churubusco.

LeFever is a member of French Club, National Honor Society, Key Club, STAND, and is the current president of the CHS Student Council, Ryan Youth Leadership and Leadership Whitley County.

She plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University to pursue a degree in leadership and psychology.

Allison Norris

Senior, Homecoming Court

Allison Norris is the daughter of Will and Dawn Norris of Churubusco. She was escorted by fellow senior Matt Marr, son of Rob and Jill Marr, also of Churubusco.

Norris is involved in fall and winter cheerleading, tennis, and National Honor Society. She plans to pursue a degree in radiology from St. Francis University.

Brooke Shearer

Senior, Homecoming Court

Brooke Shearer is the daughter of Ed and Melissa Shearer of Churubusco. She was escorted by fellow senior and “The Eagle” himself, Jeff Royer, son of Khris and Jodi Royer, also of Churubusco.

Shearer is involved in fall and winter cheerleading, track and New Era Show Choir, for which she has served as dance captain for two years.

She is a member of National Honor Society and Spanish Club, as well. Outside of school, she enjoys volunteering as a tumbling and cheer coach. She plans to attend college and study for physical therapy, physical fitness or criminal justice and also plans to continue cheerleading at the collegiate level.

Alayna Skinner

Senior, Homecoming Court

Alayna Skinner is the daughter of Todd Skinner and Tina Gill and was escorted by senior Brock Egolf, son of Brian and Judy Egolf of rural Churubusco.

Skinner is a member of the New Era Show Choir, French Club, Student Council and National Honor Society. She is president of the senior class. She plans to attend either Butler or Depauw University and major in premed.

Junior class representative

Alisha Royer

Alisha Royer, daughter of Khris and Jodi Royer, was chosen as the junior class representative.

She was escorted by Cody Craig, a senior at Columbia City High School and the son of Mark and Linda Craig of Columbia City.

Royer is a fall and winter cheerleader and also participates in competitive cheerleading.

She is a member of the CHS track team and French Club. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her friends and watching Busco sports.

Sophomore class representative

Sarah Schmidt

Sarah Schmidt, daughter of LaTisa Baryo and John Schmidt, both of Churubusco, is a member of Key Club, Spanish Club, Future Homemakers of America and Future Nurses of America.

She is involved in volleyball, cheerleading and track. In her spare time she enjoys going to her youth group and hanging out with her family and friends. She was escorted by Cole Craven, a 2011 graduate of Columbia City High School, and the son of Bob and Stephanie Craven of Columbia City.

Freshman class representative

Peyton Hunsberger

Peyton Hunsberger, daughter of Scott and Paula Hunsberger, is involved in cheerleading and track. She is a frequent participant in school musicals and the choir.

Hunsberger was escorted by Elijah Pheniece, a 2009 graduate of Carroll High School.

Senior Alayna Skinner, a homecoming nominee, was escorted by Brian Egolf, also a senior.

The senior nominees and their escorts pose before walking the track for the crown.

Ashley Gilbert seems to be contemplating who will be chosen as homecoming queen as she waits for the announcement with her escort, Brenan Herendeen, Friday night. Turns out that worried look was for naught - Ashley was crowned minutes later.

Ashley Gilbert was named CHS Homecoming Queen Friday night. She was escorted by Brenan Herendeen.

Alisha Royer was the junior class representative on the Homecoming Court. She was escorted by Cody Craig.

Allison Norris, a member of the homecoming court, was escorted by Scott Marr. Both are seniors at CHS.

Senior Brooke Shearer was escorted by Jeff Royer, also known as the Eagle.

Sarah Schmidt was the sophomore class representative on the CHS Homecoming Court. She was escorted by Cole Craven.

Peyton Hunsberger was the freshman class representative on the CHS Homecoming Court. She was escorted by Elijah Pheniece.

Tiffany LeFever, a senior on the homecoming court, was escorted by Cameron Gross at the Friday night homecoming game between Churubusco and Angola.

The Churubusco High School New Era Show Choir is holding an ongoing aluminum can drive as a fundraiser for their trip to Disney World in March.

Bring your recyclable aluminum to Blake’s barn, located north of Churubusco on Old U.S. 33, between the hours of 8 a.m. and noon on the last Saturday of every month beginning Saturday, Sept. 27, and continuing each month throughout the school year.

The show choir is participating in the Showstoppers Competition in Orlando, Florida in March, 2009. The money earned from recycling the aluminum will be used to offset the costs associated with this trip.

Austin Couch, center, is surrounded by SGCS board board members who voted unanimously Monday evening to appoint Couch as the new principal of Churubusco High School. From left are Bob Amber, Cathy Petrie, Couch, Tanya Young and Nick Uecker.

And the new principal of Churubusco High School is … Austin Couch.

Couch is excited about the new opportunity. He lives in Fort Wayne and said he has had the opportunity to work in Fort Wayne, but Couch said he has never seriously considered changing school districts.

“Why would anyone want to leave Churubusco (schools)?” he asked. “It’s a great place to be.”

Smith-Green Community Schools board of trustees voted unanimously to appoint Couch at a special meeting held today, Aug. 25.

Couch began working at Smith-Green Schools in 1997 as a middle school English teacher. He was a team leader and  most recently worked as the principal of grades K-8. He also filled in for middle school principal John Davis as needed.

He is a graduate of the University of Georgia. After graduating, Couch moved to Indiana where he continued his education - student teaching and getting his master’s degree from IPFW in Fort Wayne in 2007.

Couch and his wife, Jennifer, have four children. Couch’s stepson, Joshua, is a freshman at IPFW, and he and Jennifer have three daughters, Alyssa, 8, Aubrey, 6, and Sydney, 3.

Jennifer Couch is a stay-at-home mother who is kept very busy with the four children, but has always been very supportive of his career, Austin Couch said.

“It would be very hard if she were not supportive,” Couch said. “But she has always encouraged me and been there all the way. She and I are both very excited about this new opportunity. I could not do it without her.”

Couch said he is looking forward and excited about working with the same staff he has been working with for many years.

“This is the school district where I grew up as an educator,” Couch said. “To see the growth is exciting. I really like it here, and this is what I want to bring to the new, young teachers - this excitement” about working and staying in Churubusco.

The Smith-Green Community Schools board of trustees will meet in a special meeting Monday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. to discuss the appointment of a principal at Churubusco High School.

Jerry Lange, assistant high school principal, had agreed to serve as interim principal until a replacement was found for Mark Snyder, who resigned after the 2007-08 school year.

The meeting will be held in the board room of the administrative center at 222 W.  Tulley St., Churubusco.

By Karla Hazen Hart

Churubusco Class of 1975

My father, Leonard Hazen, a graduate of the Churubusco High School class of 1951, and I interviewed Mr. Jim Guiff on a warm, July afternoon in his neat and  cozy farmhouse near Churubusco.

Jim is proud of the fact that he lives and maintains his home by himself, with a little help from family now and then.

James Lewis Guiff or ‘ole J. L. or Jimmy (as his friends fondly nicknamed him) was born on September 23, 1911. He is the son of John Jay and Elizabeth Fulk Guiff. His siblings were Ed, Fred, Ila and Jake.

Leonard Hazen and Jim Guiff, a graduate of the Churubusco Class of 1928.

Jim is the last known living alumni from the class of 1928. Vivien Ardman Gregersen from the same class cannot be located, and Jim doesn’t know her whereabouts.

Jim was quick to point out that my deceased grandfather, Guy Gross, was a very good friend to him.

Elbert Huston, “‘ole Quack,” and Kenny Felger were also great friends from the class of ‘28. Elbert and Kenny are now deceased. There were 18 graduates in Jim’s class and he showed us a beautiful photo with their senior pictures, all in one photograph.

In his younger days, Jim walked to the one-room schoolhouse (Madden School) where he attended grade school. This was about one mile from his home. Later, he would drive a horse and buggy to the old Churubusco School in town. Still later, Arlo Gump would pick Jim up in his car from time to time.

Jim said the basketball coach at ‘Busco wanted him to play on the team, but the roads to town were dirt and could be impassable in the winter months so Jim declined to play.

Jim told us about one beautiful Thursday in September when Kenny Felger drove his Model T to school. Kenny parked his car near the school building and got the urge to skip school since it was such a nice day.

He said to his friend Jim, “Let’s go to the Kendallville Fair!” Other friends of the boys (Pete Garrison and Carl Richey) said, “Can we go, too?” So the four boys skipped school and had a fun day at the fair.

The next day, Jim decided to skip school again so that he could make some money from spending so much at the fair the day before. His job was topping onions at a local farm. This also delayed his punishment until Monday at school. He was hoping that Mr. Updike, the principal, would have forgotten about his shenanigans by then. Unfortunately, he did not.

After graduation from high school, Jim married Belle Kugler in 1930. The couple had three children, Audrey, Gladys and Jerry. Audrey is deceased and Gladys just passed away a couple of weeks after we interviewed Jim.

He also has eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Belle passed away in 1973. Jim remarried in 1977 to Irene O’Connell. Irene passed away in 2007 with Jim at her side. He told us he took care of Irene for 40 months and he is still grieving over her passing.

Jim was a farmer all of his life and still enjoys living on the same farm and house that he grew up in. In the beginning, Jim’s family used horses for plowing and field work. They grew corn, wheat, alfalfa and soybeans. The family also raised hogs but mostly dairy cows. Jim worked at International Harvester for a time but was laid off after only a few months.

After a lifelong tradition of rising early, Jim still gets up around 6 a.m. each morning, and retires around 9 p.m. He usually has supper at his son and daughter-in-law’s home - Jerry and Marsha Guiff - each evening. He enjoys talking about his love of CHS and his many friends and family. He is a devout Chicago Cubs fan and had a Cubs tee shirt on to prove it.

Dad and I agreed it was such a delight to spend a little time with ‘ole J. L., and we will not soon forget our time with him. Jim is filled with many interesting memories and he sure has a lot of “spunk” left in him.

Thanks for the memories, Jim!

Jim Guiff talks about his days at Churubusco High School. He graduated in 1928.

Karla Hazen Hart and Jim Guiff.

Motorists are asked to be alert and on the lookout for pedestrians, especially schoolchildren, since school resumed Monday.

A school crossing guard is employed by the Town at the intersection of Short and Whitley streets to help school children safely cross S.R. 205 (Whitley Street) in the morning and in the afternoon when school lets out.

Parents are urged to instruct their children to cross S.R. 205/Whitley Street at the crosswalk with the crossing guard and to cross U.S. 33 at the stoplights and designated crosswalks when walking to school.

“Traffic has increased threefold in the morning and afternoon since school started,” said Town Council President Viv Sade. “Sometimes it backs up for blocks on Main or Whitley streets. Drivers need to be aware that students are crossing the highways when walking to and from school. And unfortunately, some of them are just darting across the highway in the most convenient spot.”

Sade said the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) conducted a traffic study on South Main Street (U.S. 33) earlier this year and agreed that Churubusco had a traffic congestion problem.

“We will be up for consideration of a project that would hopefully ease the problem - if not eliminate it - the next time INDOT is scheduled to do a road repaving job in Churubusco,” Sade said. “But, we’re not sure when that will be, and they (INDOT) are not sure exactly what that road project will involve.”

Crossing guard Mary Standridge was back to work Monday, helping children cross the road at the intersection of Whitley and Short streets.

There was applause and there was relief, and it is definitely a step in the right direction, said Churubusco Teachers Association president Terry McManama after final approval was given to the teachers’ contract at Monday night’s school board meeting.

But already teachers are planning ahead for negotiations when this contract expires – in 2010.

Typically, negotiations begin the year before the contract expires, which means SGCS Corporation could be looking at less than a year before having to begin negotiations all over again.

“There is a large sense of relief,” McManama said. “But we will continue to work and take steps forward. Getting and maintaining a good insurance package is still a big issue.”

Teachers have been working without a contract after negotiations stalled and mediation efforts ground to a halt two years ago.

One teacher, who did not wish to be identified, said the settlement goes a long way toward easing some of the tension that had permeated the halls of Churubusco schools. But many remain wary of the obstacles that were created between the two sides in the first place, the teacher said.

One of the stumbling blocks was the health insurance benefit package offered to teachers, McManama said.

Teachers’ family coverage went from 46 percent being covered by the school corporation to 63 percent with the new contract, he said. “It meant a difference of $2,400 annually for family coverage.”

We wanted 70 percent, because we are still behind compared to what other school corporations offer their teachers,” McManama added.

Both sides have agreed to share any increases in health care coverage. “If it goes up five percent, then we will pay 2.5 percent and the corporation will pay 2.5 percent,” McManama said.

Other changes to the contract included 20 different language changes, a change to the way teachers’ salaries are determined for extra-curricular activities and salary increases for staff.

The increases vary according to seniority, but are retroactive for one year  – to the 2007-08 salary schedule, McManama said.

“We gave up one year of back pay as part of the negotiations,” he said.

In other school board business Monday night:

• Fall coaches were approved as follows:
• Boys/girls cross country - Head coach, lay coach, Jon Pelz.
• Middle school cross country – Head coach and lay coach, Amanda Dice; volunteer coach and lay coach, Tara Dice.
• Boys tennis – Head coach, Ben Jagger.
• Volleyball – Head coach and lay coach, Mark Bankson; Asst. coach, Breann Brown; JV coach and lay coach, Chris Holloway; freshman coach and lay coach, Megan Haines.
• MS volleyball – Lay coaches: Eighth grade, Kim Fulkerson; seventh grade, Kirsten Waterman; sixth grade, Mary Huelsenbeck.
• Football – Head coach, Lee Etzler; assistant coaches, Zach Dock and Todd Lortie; assistant and lay coaches, John Schmidt and Paul Sade.
• MS football – Head coach, Nate Wright; assistant and lay coaches, Ed Shearer, Duane Murphy, Mike Adams and John Petrie.
• The school accepted a $30,082 state assessment grant. Nancy Becker, school psychologist, said the grant monies will be used as reassessment tools to track students’ progress. The grant will also pay for training, teacher materials, scoring and some curriculum, Becker said. “This is a competitive grant,” Becker said. “and not that many schools received this  grant.” Becker said the state is now recommending that schools adopt an assessment plan for tracking students, but noted that recommendation will become a mandate in four years.
• A grant of $20,000 for the Indiana Early Intervention Program also was accepted.
• Personnel changes were approved as follows:
• Resignations: Greg Platt, elementary teacher, and Jamison Wilkins, high school teacher.
• Reassignments: Todd Lortie, transferring to CHS math, replacing Jamison Wilkins; Jennifer Galloway Bodnar, transferring to CMS math, replacing Todd Lortie.
• A family leave request for David Shearer, elementary counselor, was granted from Aug. 22-Oct. 4.
• New hires approved included: Jason Schwiebert, CHS science teacher; Robert Tomlinson, CES fifth grade teacher; Phillip Brackmann, CHS math teacher; and Erica Allen, CES extended kindergarten teacher.
• Claims  paid were as follows: regular, $95,124; prepaid, $9,765; payroll, $72,618; total, $177,507.
• In an earlier session prior to the regular meeting, the board interviewed two candidates to fill a board seat after board member Brandon Almas resigned to pursue his college education and a career in law. The decision will be announced at the next board.

Board meetings are normally held on the first and third Monday of each month, but due to the Labor Day holiday, the next meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.

From left, teachers Mark Grove, Terry McManama, Liz Schemm, Deb Thomas and Mark Cheshire mingle after a school board meeting Monday during which the teacher contract was approved.

Family and friends of the Churubusco New Era Show Choir got a chance to watch the group’s first 2008-09 season performance after the choir’s week-long summer camp Friday night.

The camp included middle school students  - who are working hard to become members of the popular musical group when they reach high school - as well as the regular high school members of the choir.

Choir director Dan Hile and students of the choir are gearing up for the new school year and choir season. They will be hosting fundraisers in order to raise money to help send choir members to perform at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. in March. The show choir’s biggest fundraiser is the holiday bazaar the first Saturday in December.

The actual show choir competition season starts at the end of the year with the first invitational scheduled for January.

Our New Era Show Choir correspondent provided these photos of the camp dinner and choir performance. Enjoy! And, don’t forget to check out the video — only at Buscovoice.com.

Trevin Geiger hands out show programs in the auditorium.

Crystal Sorg and Chelsea Roth.

Skyler Barrett, Kennedy Sade and Molly Blake were just three of the middle school students who participated in the New Era Show Choir camp last week.

Shelby Woodruff, Katie Shively, Lydia Witzenman

Paige Hunsberger

Meghan Huelsenbeck

Jacob McClure

Dustin Geiger, a member of the show choir band, and Leeland Blake, a member of the show choir, clown around in the halls of CHS.

Gary McDowell, Bob Schemm and Tim Herendeen man the grills for the show choir dinner.

Emily Hively, Kasey Gibson, Chandler Blake

Emily Wyss, Lee Blake, Kalyn Geiger

Brianne Burkhart

Members of the New Era Show Choir camp hosted a dinner and performance Friday night at the school.

Choir director Dan Hile

Chris Krieger, Alayna Skinner, Chandler Blake

Cassandra Petrie

Brenan Herendeen, Emma Frericks

Ben Kelley, Kelsey King, Ronnie Speaker

Ben Kelley

Alayna Skinner

Members of the community, local businesses and the school joined together to welcome teachers and staff back to Smith-Green Community Schools Thursday, the first full day for teachers. At right is keynote speaker, Megan Kelly, director of the Allen County Court Great Kids Make Great Communities program.

It’s that time of year.

Over 200 showed up to welcome teachers and staff at the Business Education Community Welcome Back Breakfast at Smith-Green Schools Thursday morning, which was the first full day for teachers. The first full day for students is Monday, Aug. 18.

School board president Tanya Young welcomed the crowd, which was representative of the business, community and school populations.

Student Nicole Pippenger explained the mission of the HANDS Foundation, a philanthropic organization managed by students in the various Whitley County school districts in conjunction with the Whitley County Community Foundation.

Keynote speaker Megan Kelly talked about how “Great Kids Make Great Communities,” a program sponsored by the Allen County Superior Court system. Kelly referred parents and teachers to a book on disciplining children called, “Say Yes to No,” and urged everyone to attend a seminar in October which will feature the author, Dr. David Walsh.

“It’s a fun listen,” Kelly said. “We’re not bad parents; we’re doing the best we can with what we have.”

The seminar  - hosted by Great Kids Make Great Communities - will be held  Oct. 1, at 6:30 p.m. at Park Hill Training Center, New Haven. For more details go to www.greatkidsallencounty.org.

Young urged parents and members of the business community to get involved with the school.  She referred those in attendance to  DonorsChoose.org, a site where parents, businesses and others can browse school projects from area schools and grade levels and make a donation or offer to assist with a specific project.

Smith-Green Community Schools superintendent Carol Kaiser introduced a dozen new staff members for the 2008-9 school year.

New staff includes:

Elementary: Loree Grimm, first grade; Rob Tomlinson, fifth grade; and Erica Allen, extended day kindergarten and sixth grade language.

Middle school/high school: Phil Brackman, high school math; Trisha Brooks, HS English; Heather Heironimus, high school/middle school special education; Sam Riesen, HS/MS social studies; Jennifer Homan, HS English; Phil Allen, HS/MS agriculture and FFA sponsor; and Jason Schwiebert, HS biology and integrated physics and chemistry.

Others include Max Shelmadine in the maintenance/grounds department and Matt Hosted as manager of corporate technology.

NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS - From left are Rob Tomlinson, Erica Allen and Loree Grimm.

NEW SGCS STAFF - In front, from left, Jennifer Homan, English; Trisha Brooks, English; Heather Heironimus, special education; In back: Phil Allen, agriculture and FFA advisor; Phil Brackmann, math; Max Shelmadine, Sam Riesen, social studies. Not shown: Jason Schwiebert, biology and integrated chemistry and physics; and Matt Hosted, technology.

Tom Cormany chats with school board president, Tanya Young, at the BEC Welcome Back Breakfast Thursday.

 Story and photos by Buscovoice.com.

A Churubusco all-class reunion will be held Saturday, Aug. 16, in the Churubusco Community Park Boy Scout building from 12 noon until 4 p.m.

All former students and alumni of CHS, and their guests, are welcome to attend.

Guests should bring a wrapped white elephant gift and a side dish to share. Meat and beverages will be provided.

Call Bob at 602-2903 for more information.

Last minute registrations for the Churubusco SchoolWorks program will be held Wednesday, Aug. 13 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the elementary school office. 
Children who are in grades K-12 are eligible for the program, which will offer free bookbags and school supplies to qualifying students before the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 18.

If a child qualifies for free or reduced lunches, he/she should qualify for the Churubusco SchoolWorks program. Last year the program helped 16 Churubusco children get a brighter start in the new school year. This year, due to the sluggish economy, the number of children in need is expected to double.

Donations are still being accepted throughout the week for the program.

Especially needed are scientific calculators for high school students, backpacks and monetary donations to purchase other needed supplies.

If you would like to help with the Churubusco SchoolWorks program, please call Viv at 693-2473 or 241-7737 or Susie at the elementary school office at 693-2188.

Parents of the students in New Era Show Choir donned Mickey - and Minnie - Mouse ears and were knee-deep in suds, scrubbing cars Saturday in McDonalds parking lot. The parents not only washed cars but gave away door prizes and sold Mickey Mouse cookies, as well. The fundraiser was held in order to raise money to help send choir members to DisneyWorld in March.

Tim King entices customers to the fundraiser car wash for the New Era Show Choir Saturday at McDonalds.

Dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. Cost of the dinner is $5 and the show is $2, or enjoy both for only $6.

Dinner will include brats, hamburgers, chips and dessert. The actual show choir competition season starts at the end of the year with the first invitational scheduled for January.

Watch this site for future video, photos and updates on the New Era Show Choir.

CHURUBUSCO - The Smith-Green Community Schools Board of School Trustees will host an executive session Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m. in the board room of the Administrative Center, 222 W. Tulley St.

The Board of School Trustees will meet for the following purpose(s) in accordance with Indiana Code 5-14-1.5-6(b):

For discussion of strategy with respect to any of the following:

4. To receive information about and interview prospective employees. 

Monday August 18th, 2008

August 14th & 15th, 2008 - Teachers only, no students

August 1st - 13th, 2008 - Teachers only, no students