***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
Whiteland Community High School Named 2024 Best High School!
US News & World Report Ranks WCHS in Top 40% Nationally
Johnson County Indiana -
April 26, 2024
Whiteland Community High School earned high National and metro-area rankings in 2024 Best High Schools, which U.S. News released yesterday.
By earning a national ranking in the top 40%, Whiteland Community High School achieved status as a U.S. News Best High School and gained eligibility to display a U.S. News-trademarked 2024 Best High Schools award “badge” (logo).
“U.S. News is the top ranking service in the nation so we’re very excited with these numbers”, stated Whiteland principal, Duke Lines. “Anytime you’re ranked above 60-percent of all the high schools in the country, that's a strong indication of a rigorous curriculum, a talented faculty and an amazing student body. We know our ranking will only get better”, says Lines. Clark-Pleasant Superintendent, Dr. Timothy Edsell, says the ranking is about much more than just a number. “Only “Best” high schools may use an official U.S. News Best High Schools badge which will bring a lot of pride to our students, faculty and the entire school community”.
CPCSC Staff Spotlight!
Dave Heuchan / WCHS Facilities Supervisor
They say it’s all about finding the perfect fit when it comes to a job and for Dave Heuchan that happened four years ago when he accepted the position of WCHS Facilities Supervisor. What does that title mean? It means you’ll find Dave in the high school each morning long before anyone else arrives making sure the building is ready to go for the nearly 2,000 student’s who’ll come through the doors. “We get lots of work orders from administrators and teachers for things they’re going to need during the day,” says Heuchan. “I have an amazing staff of 16 custodians that come in at the end of the school day to help prepare for the next day.” Assuring the building is as clean as possible, he says, is just one part of the job. There are risers, chairs and stages to set up and rooms to get ready, not to mention things that need to be fixed all while making sure the building isn’t too hot or too cold. Heuchan says there are a lot of pieces to the puzzle that all have to fit together for a comfortable school day. Dave says his main priority every day is to make things easier for teachers, administrators and coaches. In other words, to take things “off their plate” so they can concentrate on their job.
Dave worked in Special Education in Franklin for a few years and he also spent 11 years as an electrical lineman. He has an associate degree from Ivy Tech. HIs wife, Angie, is a teacher in Franklin and they have three children, Kara, a senior, Kate, is in college and Jacob works in finance. Dave says he comes from a family of educators.
He says like any job there are challenging days but Dave likes a good challenge. He’s 6’6 and has played a lot of basketball and baseball.
He says interacting with students is a fun part of his job. “We just try to be positive and pleasant with students and just encourage them.” He says that interaction can go a long way in keeping the school environment cleaner and safer. A fun fact about Dave is that for a very brief moment in his life he sang in The Indianapolis Children’s Choir. He also said one time while starting to sing a solo in church; his mind went blank. He loves sports including golf. He says the success of his job comes down to three things: patience, communication and a positive outlook on life.
Congratulations to Dave Heuchan for being our CPCSC Staff Spotlight!
Whiteland Community High School's Bring Change to Mind club leaders had an incredible day diving into the world of mental health at the Under The Surface: An Open Conversation About Mental Health in Sport event. They had the privilege of hearing from Olympians Lilly King and Ashley Twichell Wall, as well as Colts Vice Chair & Owner Kalen Jackson, and Colts Cornerback Kenny Moore II. One of the highlights was Kenny Moore's inspiring advice to the students: "Lose your pride - be vulnerable and ask for help! You can't do it alone." Following the panel discussion, students engaged in various activities aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.
@usaswimming @indsportscorp @colts @coltscommunity @bc2mhighschool @bringchangetomind #underthesurface #KickingTheStigma #SwimTrials24
ICC Luncheon!
On Tuesday, 87 Seniors who have earned their Indiana College Core (Core 30) were recognized by the Clark-Pleasant Education Foundation along with WCHS PTO Blue Crew and the high school guidance department and school administrators with a catered lunch donated by Texas Roadhouse.
The ICC is earned over four years of high school. It is 30 college credits completed or essentially their freshman year of college done! We are so proud of these students and hope they enjoyed lunch.
"Administrative Professionals Day"
Please join us in celebrating our amazing Administrative Staff. The school day would not be possible without these wonderful professionals.
The 2024 WCHS Spring Art Exhibit is on display in the Media Center at the high school. The exhibit will also be available to view during regular school hours on April 22-24. Visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite pieces. Here's a sample!
WCHS Art is now on display!
Scan the QR code to check out student art work.
The Library that Dolly Built!
Family Forum!
Join us for an engaging and informative Family Forum designed to shed light on the critical issues of anxiety and depression affecting our youth today. Please note this is the same session that was held in November! This repeat session aims to empower parents, caregivers, and community members with the knowledge and tools to recognize the signs of anxiety and/or depression in young people.
We look forward to welcoming you to this important conversation and working together to support the mental health and well-being of our youth. SIGN-UP HERE: https://forms.gle/rb6YRrFYugcEwNfv5
You're Appreciated!
We celebrated our transportation staff Tuesday on Bus Driver Appreciation Day. Clark-Pleasant has over 100 people in its transportation department. They enjoyed some Jack's donuts and coffee with transportation Director Mike Akers, Dr. Shipp and Dr. Edsell.
A huge congratulations to our very own, Mrs. Jenn Lulfs, for being selected as an honoree from the Indiana Association of School Principals and the Indianapolis Indians! She will be recognized at the Indians game on May 4! We are so thankful to have her at WES!
17 Years in a Row!!!
Congratulations to the WCHS Band and Band Department leaders on this monumental accomplishment!
School Bus Driver Appreciation Day is Tuesday April 23!
A HUGE Thank You to all of our Clark-Pleasant School Bus Drivers. Thanks for all you do that goes above and beyond on a daily basis.
A huge CONGRATULATIONS to both Treble Clef and Choraliers who performed for the ISSMA State Organizational on Saturday at Shelbyville High School and earned a GOLD rating! 🏅
The Indiana State School Music Association annual adjudication includes performing three different approved songs and a choral sight-reading portion to test students' music literacy skills. Treble Clef was just one point shy of earning gold in the Sight-Reading portion and Choraliers earned a gold rating in the Sight-Reading portion as well as their performance! Choraliers also stepped up to compete in the highest level at Organizational, Group 1, this year which included learning and performing more challenging music and more difficult choral Sight-Reading.
We are so proud of their accomplishments this year!
If you would like to attend Iridescence, Expressions, Shades of Blue, and Rhythm Masters ISSMA performances they will be at Franklin Central High School this upcoming Saturday the 27th. Iridescence/Expressions will be performing at 10:20AM and Shades of Blue/Rhythm Masters will be performing at 4:00PM.
WCHS Awards Night!
Our Whiteland Community Academic Awards ceremony was held Thursday evening in the Glenn Ray Gymnasium. A large crowd was on hand to support these great student accomplishments.
Celebrate Dia!
Former Clark Elementary Student works on NASA Project!
Former Clark Elementary student, Morgan Hinderliter, daughter of Clark Elementary teacher Mariah Hinderliter, has a team competing in the NASA HERC competition in Huntsville Alabama today. “Being a woman and an engineer, competing in a famous NASA competition and a Clark Elementary kid, is pretty cool, " says Hinderliter.
Morgan is a student at Trine University. “This is a part of Trine University’s Design Engineering Technology Senior Design project with the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC). Morgan says her crew has spent the entire year brainstorming, designing, planning, building, and testing a pedal-powered rover for the competition down in Huntsville. The team is spending two days in Alabama competing against other colleges from all across the world for the top spot!
School Board Recognition!
Dr. Edsell and the Clark-Pleasant School Board recognized Noah Grady at Wednesday evenings school board meeting. Noah was a finalist in the IHSAA state diving championships earlier this year. Congratulations Noah!
New CPELC Team!
The Clark-Pleasant School Board has announced a new leadership team for the Early Learning Center. Julie Wolfe will replace Kristin Parisi as Director of the Early Learning Center. Megan Smallwood will become assistant principal at CPELC.
The Clark-Pleasant School Board has been recognized by the Indiana School Boards Association with an exemplary governance award for 2023.
The award is for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to professional learning and student success. The awards are based on certain criteria such as goal setting to elevate student achievement outcomes.
