By DEREK ARROWOOD
Hamilton Heights Superintendent
Update #78
Starting this Saturday, FFA chapters around the country will celebrate National FFA Week. This weeklong recognition gives us the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our FFA while educating the public about the tremendous impact of agriculture in our daily lives.
FFA is the premier youth organization preparing members for leadership and careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture and is an integral part of the teaching program in agriculture at HHHS and HHMS. Hamilton Heights’ agricultural education program is deeply rooted in the community. With Emilie Carson, Agriculture Educator and FFA Advisor, at the helm, the sky is the limit for students as they develop their potential for leadership, explore their interests, and take advantage of a broad range of career pathways through agricultural education at Heights.
Next Monday kicks off Public Schools Week. It’s a week designated to recognize and celebrate the invaluable role of our nation’s public schools. Strong public schools are the foundation of success for young people, the growth of our communities, and instrumental to our country’s future. Hamilton Heights, and its community predecessor schools, have been helping to prepare students to go out into the world and make a powerful difference for well over a century. Thanks in part to the caliber of teachers, administrators, staff, involved families, and strong community partners, Heights continues to be a destination of choice for K-12 education.
We invite you to celebrate the many opportunities afforded through our local public schools and engage in activities that will strengthen the business-school connection throughout the year. We welcome and encourage our families and community to be actively engaged in all things Hamilton Heights and stay connected in every way possible including via our website, Facebook, and Twitter where you will always find ‘Great Kids Doing Great Things!’
Speaking of great kids, I want to give a shout out to two multi-sport athletes – Samera Henson and Jayla Logan who wrestled their way to the Top 5 in their weight class at the Indiana High School Girls Wrestling State Finals. Samera, a three-time medalist, took fifth in the 113 weight class. Jayla, a two-time medalist, earned fourth in the 132 weight class. The girls wrestling program has its roots at Heights and pioneered by Head Coach Gary “Iron Bear” Myers, a former world wrestling champion, who was just voted Head Coach of the Year by his peers. In addition, just five short years after he started the Indiana girls wrestling program, it is expected to become a sanctioned sport by the Indiana High School Athletic Association next year.
On a side note, on Wednesday our gymnasium was filled with junior and senior high school students from throughout Hamilton County and beyond, along with their parents, looking to line up a job, summer apprenticeship, and/or internship in the local construction trade industry at the first annual Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Job Fair. This complimentary networking, information sharing, and recruiting event, organized by CEA Master Teacher and NCCER Instructor Eric Fisher, was created to help establish relationships and open doors to opportunities in the trades industry. Pretty cool!
Our students continue to thrive and enjoy unlimited opportunities to become the best version of themselves because of a strong, collective effort within our campus and throughout our community. Thank you for being a part of their success!
#WeAreHuskies
#PublicSchoolProud