West Central High School students achieving great things

West Central School Board members heard positive news regarding what high school students are achieving this year. 
On Nov. 3, high school principal Pat Culp announced several positive things happening at the high school during a regular school board meeting when principals are given a chance to update the board on what’s happening at the schools.  
Students not only were giving back to the community but also meeting academic standards with a little help from the Trojan Opportunity Academy. 
One of the first positives that Culp mentioned included a community event. The FFA club members held their farmers’ breakfast and decided prior to the event that the proceeds would go to the families of Glenn Tiede and Tim Reidelbach. Tiede and Reidelbach were injured in an elevator explosion. The two later died from their injuries. 
“They made the decision right before the breakfast, so I don’t think any of us knew what to expect,” Culp said. “By the end of the day once they got everything tabulated, they donated more than $13,600. I think that number speaks a lot for the community and what our kids did.” 
Culp said it was a neat experience for the kids and at times overwhelming. He said when he arrived there was a line out the door and people were standing in the rain. 
Academically, 16 students on four different teams recently competed in a math competition at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer. Culp said there were a total of 16 teams from different schools that were challenged with different math problems such as estimating the number of gallons of water the St. Joe fountain holds. 
Culp also talked about the number of students who are utilizing the Trojan Opportunity Academy. Culp estimated there are more than 40 students who are using it for credit recovering while others are completing advanced academic classes. 
Culp said the Department of Education recently visited West Central to certify the academy. The Department of Education representative spent about two hours at the school and the academy will be recognized as alternative education. Being an alternative education site allows for the school to receive additional funding for some of the courses. 
Superintendent Don Street said Laura Stout, who is teaching the academy, is doing a great job. He said the funding from the state will help offset the expense of Stout’s salary and the costs of the computer programs. 
Culp thanked the board for supporting the program.

See the full story in the Pulaski County Journal, available in print and e-edition.

Pulaski County Journal

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