Congratulations to Elise Kendall for receiving the South Putnam High School 2024 Art Award from Kappa Kappa Kappa. Elise's picture will join previous years' winners art on display in the Learning Center.
Congratulations to Danae Cline for receiving an Exemplary Behavior recognition from last night's softball game. The base umpire stated, "I would like to commend Danae Cline of South Putnam for exemplary behavior. I was umpiring on the bases, and she was a delight to talk to. . . She was so appreciative of my service to the game. She really enjoys planning and is very complimentary of her teammates and coaches. What a classy young lady! This is what makes umpiring enjoyable. To see young ladies like her giving their all, bouncing back after a mistake, enjoying the game and her teammates."
Vienna Burkart recognized Mrs. Tosca Carranza. Vienna said, "Each time I go into your classroom, I feel like there are endless possibilities that I could do and achieve. . . Because of you, I was able to create more original artwork of my own . . . Thank you for everything you taught me and for always striving to push me to do more."
Kailey Barnard recognized Mrs. Tiffany Dickson. She said, "You have put a tremendous amount of dedication and commitment into everything you do, which is truly awe-inspiring. No matter how taxing your classes may be, you still come back the next day with the same amount of rigor as the day before. . . Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for your compassion. Thank you for your never-ending dedication to your students, and thank you for always trying to bring out the best in every single one of us."
South Putnam Middle and High School is recognizing another Legacy Builder who has had a significant impact on the South Putnam school community.
Karen Nelson Heavin
Karen Nelson Heavin’s service to South Putnam began as a student who left her mark academically, athletically and through FFA. She not only succeeded personally; she led others. That leadership continued after high school when she served as the State President of the Indiana FFA Association from June of 1991 to June of 1992. While attending Franklin College, she worked in the Admissions and Financial Aid office. That work started her on her path as an Educational Consultant. Today, Karen owns Heavin College & Career Readiness Services through which she assists students with college and scholarship applications, financial aid, college visits, resumes, and job interviews. She serves as South Putnam’s Community Liaison coordinating between South Putnam and the work community as well as postsecondary institutions. She has served Putnam County as a Trustee for Warren Township from 2006 through today. Other leadership roles include Former Chairman of the Putnam County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Committee, Putnam County Extension Board Member, Putnam County Community Foundation Member and Executive Committee Member and Greencastle/ Putnam County Development Center Board Member and Member of the Education Taskforce.
Karen married fellow South Putnam alum Anthony Heavin. Their two children, Garrett and Brock, also attended South Putnam. When her boys were in school, Karen always volunteered her time and resources to make sure students and teams were well-fed, encouraged and celebrated. Beyond her own children, she helped support others so everyone had an opportunity. Karen and Anthony have annually donated food for Teacher Appreciation Week and various additional moments during the school year.
It is impossible to measure the impact Karen has had on South Putnam. She has a legacy of opening up educational and work opportunities for all students. She has worked tirelessly to advise, empower, and love South Putnam students.
Congratulations to Chloe Heet who is enrolling at Indiana State University majoring in Secondary Education in Science!
Congratulations to Addison Gabbard who is enrolling at Indiana State University as a Pre-Med major!
Cory York honored Mrs. Tiffany Dickson. Cory said, "I've had you for almost the entirety of my high school years and without you I think my life would have gone in a greatly different direction. You have built my love for math and the struggle through problems . . . And now Calculus is the highlight of my years here."
Wyatt Kendall honored Mrs. Natalie Hodge. He said, "Your energy teaching courses helps keep me excited and intrigued to learn more. . . I have loved having a teacher who truly cares about her students and not just how they do on a test. . . So, whether I'm trying to wrap my mind around cell communication in AP Biology or eating blue muffins in Anatomy and Physiology, I am extremely grateful to have had you as a teacher. "
Makayla Nicholls honored Mrs. Elaine Bye. She said, "You have taught me so much more than just math. You showed me how to be the teacher I strive to be. You taught me how to show compassion in teaching. You showed me how to help students when they struggle and how to help them understand what is going on in class. Thank you for everything you do!"
Thank you to North Salem State Bank for very generously providing lunch to our teachers on Monday for Teacher Appreciation Week!
Caroline Hodge honored Mrs. Tiffany Dickson. She said, "I couldn’t do what I’ve done, in school but for my future as well, without you with me. You’ve helped shape me into the person that I am, who believes they can do math and so much more.
I’m going to miss you tremendously, both next year and all the years that follow it."
The days are getting longer and brighter, which means the number of school days is rapidly dwindling. Let's sing the praises of another one of the tireless educators who make South Putnam Middle School such a great place for our students, our special education teacher Mrs. Lauren Clampitt.
We asked some of Mrs. Clampitt's students what they appreciated about Mrs. Clampitt. The first things they told us were, "I love her so much", "I love her. She is one of the most amazing teachers I've ever had", and "she's my favorite teacher." Why do her students love her so? Because "she's very sweet", "she's very welcoming", "she's very kind and understanding", "she's respectful", "she helps me with my problems", "she pushes you to your goals", and "she's always willing to give you a helping hand." We ask you, how could students NOT love a teacher like Mrs. Clampitt? Students are grateful to her for the support she provides them in their classes. "As soon as I got in Mrs. Clampitt's class," one student told us, "my grades went up." Students recognize the ways she helps them in getting their work done and making it through the day, whether that be patiently answering their questions about schoolwork, or allowing them time and space to destress when they need it. "Mrs. Clampitt is, like, super helpful," one student said. And we couldn't agree more.
Thank you, Mrs. Clampitt, for meeting your students where they are, and for sharing with them your time and talents to help them spread their wings and soar to where you know they can be.
Middle school students in Mrs. Nees's math class were playing games this week to test theoretical probability vs. experimental probability.
Middle school students in Mrs. Nees's math class were playing games this week to test theoretical probability vs. experimental probability.
Jaicee Jackson honored Mr. Welti. She said, "Thinking back to all of these memories has made me realize that some of the best times in my years of high school are all thanks to you and your classes. History has always been one of my favorite subjects and I couldn't ask for a better person to teach it to me for the past 3 years."
Evan Hinkle honored his teacher Mrs. Natalie Hodge. Evan said, "Biology . . . was by far my favorite class that year because it has very interesting material and it was taught by a teacher that believes in biology with a contagious passion. I call your passion for life and science contagious because I caught it much like so many of your students before. . . I really want to say thank you so much for loving what you do and inspiring me to take my next step in life.
Thank you Angie Snider for your hard work and care for our students at South Putnam!
Alie Newby honored Brian Gardner. She said: "I appreciate you coming out to be my substitute coach for my regional competition this year. This just goes to show how much you are willing to help out when you are needed, without hesitation. One day Sophomore year, we were practicing chipping out on the front lawn here at school, and Mr. Gardner told me to go retrieve some of the balls that had already been hit, and so I started walking out there when he said, "Hey Alie, I'm going to hit you with this one!" And I laughed . . . thinking he was joking . . . . But no, next thing I knew, I got hit square between the shoulder blades with a golf ball and that's when I knew that 1) he must be pretty good at golf and 2) it was going to be a really fun season!".
Stevie Keenan honored Heath Pruitt and wrote: "You made me realize that I was just as important as my peers, that I wasn't just a student going through a system, but my own person with my own ideas. Not just in that moment, but a millions times afterward. You completely changed how I was looking at the rest of my life."
"Thank you for bringing me towards some of the best experiences of my life for giving me the confidence that you may have not even known I needed. I never, ever thought I could do half of the things that you believed I could do. Thank you for all the light you bring to South Putnam and for making me the person I am today."
