At the June 12, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education the following individuals were recognized for helping to make Washington Township a Superior School District.
Congratulations to Maddie Rocchio, a 2024 NC graduate, who just won the female athlete of the year at North Central and also won the Marion County Female Athlete of the Year. Maddie is a cross country and track standout, she will attend Indiana University in the fall. The Indy Star did a story on Maddie, so please be sure to check that out. Maddie’s head coach, Chad Wallace, is also in attendance this evening to join us in this celebration. Thank you for being here. Maddie, we are extremely proud of your accomplishments and wish you the best at IU.
Congratulations to Bryan Ramirez, Assistant Principal at Northview Middle School, who has been selected as the IASP District 7 Assistant Principal of the Year. District 7 represents all of Marion County, Indiana. Mr. Ramirez’s leadership has been instrumental in Northview’s recent academic gains over the past two school years, as well as the school’s selection for the Indiana Department of Education Excellence in Leading and Learning Award last Fall, a statewide award. IASP District Assistant Principals of the Year are elected by their peers. One Assistant Principal is honored from each of the 12 Districts across the state of Indiana. From these 12 District Assistant Principal winners, one is chosen as the 2024 Indiana Assistant Principal of the Year. The State winner will be announced at the IASP award celebration in November, 2024. Congratulations to Mr. Ramirez on this statewide recognition. He is one of the reasons that today, like every day, is a GREAT day to be a FALCON!
Congratulations to Michael Loggan, Director of Athletics, NV (Mrs. Kathy Loggan is here tonight on behalf of Michael to receive this recognition), Mr. Jaylen Gamble, MSDWT Police Officer and Ms. Tatum Parker, Teacher, SM as they are being recognized as part of the Ten Under Ten 2024 Honorees. The Ten Under Ten Award recognizes the accomplishments of ten young alumni leaders who are less than ten years past graduation. We are recognizing three individuals here tonight as they are not only alumni’s but also part of the MSDWT staff. You can see a full list of all honorees by visiting the WTS Foundation website Ten Under Ten – Complete List of Honorees.
Mr. Michael Loggan is not only the Director of Athletics at NV, he also wears many hats as the Panther Youth Sports Coordinator and Vice President of the Paul Loggan Foundation. With a passionate dedication to fostering excellence in Washington Township athletics, he takes pride in providing student-athletes with platforms to showcase their talents. Michael’s commitment to community and sportsmanship shines through his multifaceted roles, ensuring that young athletes thrive both on and off the field.
Mr. Jaylen Gamble is a Washington Township Schools native who graduated from North Central in 2013. He pursued further education at the University of Saint Francis, where he graduated with a degree in sociology with dual concentrations in Criminology and Social Justice, along with a minor in Diversity Studies and an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice. While at University of Saint Francis, Jaylen was a member of the football team when they won back-to-back national championships. After graduating, Jaylen found his way back to NC by way of coaching, getting involved in rugby and football for several years. During this time, Jaylen transitioned to a role in the building, first as a study hall IA. He was then ultimately hired and trained as one of the township SROs, where he is currently employed.
Ms. Tatum Parker is a two-time cancer survivor and co-founder of the Tatum Parker Project. The nonprofit she helped establish in 2008 focuses on bringing joy to children facing cancer in Indiana. Through their efforts, they distribute backpacks filled with games, toys, and other activities to children battling cancer in Indiana to keep them busy throughout their long hospital stays. The nonprofit also donates money and raises awareness for pediatric cancer research, having donated over $100,000 to date. Tatum is a recent graduate of Indiana University, receiving her bachelor’s of science in elementary education, following her passion of working with children. She has been teaching in the district at Spring Mill Elementary. Congratulations again to each of you for your many successes thus far and congratulations to all the honorees on this list!
Congratulations and thank you to two members of the MSDWT family who have supported our French exchange work at NCHS over the last nine years. These two people are David Kareken and Ms. Ann Kosobud. They have lived in the district for over 20 years and have had two sons go through Washington Township schools. This recognition was brought to our attention by NC Teacher, Mrs. Jill Thrasher-Reid.
Mrs. Thrasher-Reid came to know that David Kareken speaks French through his communication with Habib Diatta, who had his older son in class. At Back to School Night, he mentioned to Mr. Diatta that he had spent time in Luxembourg and would be interested in traveling with a group if that opportunity arose. When it came time to travel to France in 2017, the planning for which started in 2016, we needed a second chaperone. David was willing and able to fill that role, guiding students to a memorable experience in their homestay location and in Paris. He even got to help a student get a new passport after hers was stolen! His appreciation for the French language and culture also contributed to this past spring’s successful trip (2024). As a parent and a fluent French speaker, he was able to not only serve as a sounding board for professional discussions but also as a listener for students and someone who could provide a different perspective than a teacher. He conscientiously attended pre-departure meetings with students both years and worked with them to learn the language and culture before and during the trip.
Ann Kosobud has played an important role in our ongoing exchange program as well. When the group of 3 teachers and 25 students come to Indianapolis from France, she and David host all three teachers in their home (2017, 2019, 2023). This allows the teachers a much needed space together to discuss any issues that come up, to make plans for the next leg of their trip and to be as comfortable as if they were at home. Additionally, both Ann and David help with carpooling French students to their field trips and with navigating bureaucratic red tape when any sort of medical issue arises (mostly broken legs ;). They do all of this out of pure generosity and interest in the program, the culture, and the students. In short, the exchange program that NCHS has with Camille See high school in Colmar, France would not be the same without their dedication and willingness to help however they can. Their friendship and care for students and teachers is truly a gift. Thank you again for your ongoing support of NCHS and the French language exchange program. You are truly appreciated.
- Professional Partners – New Northview Project Recognition
- Messer Construction
- Powers & Sons
- Schmidt Associates
- Marvin Murdock – MBM Construction Service
On behalf of the entire district, we would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt appreciation for your exceptional contributions to the construction of the BEAUTIFUL New Northview Middle School. Your dedication and expertise in design and construction services have had a profound impact on our facilities, benefiting the students of Washington Township for generations to come.
Your work with the district has been valued. The precision, problem-solving, and unwavering commitment to excellence you have demonstrated have been crucial in the success of this project.
We recognize the complexities inherent in new construction projects, and your adeptness at navigating these with professionalism and skill has been truly admirable. Your passion for your work is evident in every endeavor, and it has been a pleasure to collaborate with your talented and dedicated teams.
Your contributions have been pivotal in shaping the future of our district, and for that, we are sincerely grateful.
Thank you once again to the Schmidt, Powers and Sons, and Messer teams for your exceptional work and steadfast commitment to excellence. We would also like to extend our appreciation to our Project Manager/Consultant, Mr. Marvin Murdock who has been MSDWT’s project liaison throughout this project. We are truly grateful for the community’s support in 2016/2020 that provided this optimal opportunity for our students. The school community is bursting with excitement to begin operating in their new building this next school year.
