Progress 2021: Sports, academic achievements highlight schools

Sep. 25—When discussing the annual Progress section, which highlights the positives in the community, most superintendents had one issue that took up the majority of their time.

"Last year was COVID."

Yet, in every dim area of life, a bright light shines forth. And for any school, there are hundreds of bright lights — each one sitting at attention or slouched down a bit, listening to a teacher discuss the day's lessons or heading out to a field for practice.

So, after consideration, each school system — Caston School Corporation, Lewis Cass Schools, Logansport Community School Corporation and Pioneer Regional School Corporation — could easily pinpoint the top of the class from the last year.

And there was no question: Those bright lights were the students cheerfully taking part in a celebration, winning academic meets and earning top spots in sports.

Caston

For Caston, the school corporation had an onslaught of athletic champions. Gina Hierlmeier, athletic director, had an amazing year of hardworking, well-deserved award winners.

Boys Cross Country: HNAC Champions/Cass County Champions: Austin Dague, Micah Colvin and Edison Byrum-HNAC All Conference.

Girls Cross Country: North Miami Invite Champions Delaney Strasser-HNAC All Conference

Football: Sam Smith 2020 HNAC Defensive Player of the Year

Girls Volleyball: Maddi Smith-All Conference, All Loganland, and IHSVCA All-District Rebekah Milburn Academic All State-IHSVCA

Boys Basketball: Sectional Champions All-Conference-Joey Spin, Kade Zeider (HM) All-Loganland Team-Joey Spin (1st), Sam Smith (2nd), Kade Zeider (3rd), Bryce Rudicel (HM) All-RTC Team-Kade Zeider (2nd), Sam Smith (HM), Joey Spin (HM), Bryce Rudicel (HM) Cass County All-Tournament Team — Sam Smith, Kade Zeider Miami County All-Tournament Team- Kade Zeider IBCA Academic All-State- Cam Kline

Girls Basketball: Miami County Champions 2020 Olivia Boldry- Academic All State ICGSA Isabel Scales- All Conference, Miami County All Tourney Team, Cass County All Tourney Team Abby Williamson- Miami County All Tourney Team

Wrestling: Austin Dague- HNAC Runner Up-132

Softball: Olivia Boldry- Academic All State Rebekah Milburn- Academic All State ICGSA

Baseball: Joey Spin: HNAC Player of the Year, Honorable Mention All-State Jessie Rock-Wolf, Carter See, Kade Zeider, Joey Spin: HNAC All-Conference

Track & Field: Austin Dague: 3200 run HNAC Champion

Lewis Cass Schools

It was party time for Lewis Cass Elementary. On Aug. 19, the school hosted its annual Summer Block Party.

Elementary Principal Ryan LaPlante said it brought more than 1,000 people together. Area businesses provided food, books and a variety of family-friendly activities.

"We were also fortunate to have the Logansport Fire Department bring out their 'Smoke House' and talk about fire safety," he said.

The elementary also recognizes students for good behavior each month.

Each student is presented with a "Citizen of the Month" award. Students are nominated by their teachers for displaying the "Kingly behaviors of kindness, integrity, nobility (helpful and honest), grit and self-control," LaPlante explained.

Similarly, Lewis Cass Jr.-Sr. High School recognizes students through a King of the Week program.

Andy Smith, assistant principal with the high school, said those selected for this honor demonstrate "one or more of our 'Kingly' behaviors: kindness, integrity, non-judgmental, grit, and self-control."

Logansport

"Our corporation has continued to move forward with the new construction of Logansport Intermediate School, along with several building renovations," said Bailey Record, marketing director for the corporation.

And while the Logansport-based school system undergoes a variety of expansion and renovation projects, students strive to put forth their best efforts each day. In doing so, many have excelled in the newly found Future Farmers of America program.

From community service projects to speaking engagements, this group of students have been making a big impact on the area. For example, Record said, junior high FFA members volunteer at the Cass County Humane Society. Last school year, a representative of the organization was at the Humane Society at least one a week for three months.

Students would take care of the animals, walk them, hold them and help perform other duties as needed.

The group also was part of the FFA District V Creed Speaking event. One seventh grader, Kaylynn Fillmore, "went on to represent our school at the state competition."

And junior high Quiz Bowl members took second place in the FFA District V Quiz Bowl Competition, said Bailey, adding that another highlight was the seventh and eighth grade LJHS Black Volleyball teams winning the Cass County Tournament.

Pioneer

Pioneer Regional School Corporation had a streak of championship awards. In the same year, the Panthers became the first school in Indiana history to win state titles in girls basketball, volleyball and softball.

In February, Pioneer took on Loogootee for the Class A basketball state championship game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, coming out on top in a nail-biting ending with a 43-42 win.

The volleyball team captured the title of regional champions, as the No. 3 Panthers triumphed over No. 6 Kouts in three sets: 25-14, 25-17, 25-18, and then went on to cinch the state championship at Worthen Arena in Muncie. The volleyball team pounded out Loogootee in four games, capturing the Class A state championship match.

Out of the volleyball team, Olivia Brooke and Madison Blickenstaff were named Loganland Volleyball Co-Players of the Year. They went on the headline the All-Loganland Volleyball team. Blickenstaff also was named the 2021 Distinguished Young Woman of Cass County.

Another set of players — twins— — were named to the All-Loganland football team. Ezra and Addai Lewellen became a force to be reckoned with as they gave their all during the 2020-2021 football season.

Finally, the school year ended with the girls softball team outlasting Sullivan 4-2 in the Class 2A state championship game at Russ Milligan Field in June.

Reach Kristi Hileman at kristi.hileman@pharostribune.com or 574-732-5150