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The
Advance An edition of THE NEWS SUN
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21, 2013
Leader
75 cents Ligonier, Indiana, USA On the web at: kpcnews.com Vol. 129, No. 47
Support shown for ‘balanced’ calendar West Noble considers changes BY BOB BUTTGEN bbuttgen@kpcmedia.com
LIGONIER — Preliminary results of a survey taken by the West Noble School Corp. show a majority of parents, teachers and staff favor a more balanced school calendar. The corporation is conducting the survey to gather input on how
its structures its annual calendar including vacations and breaks. More than 300 people have completed the survey with most of those doing so over the internet. The survey can still be completed by going to the West Noble website: westnoble.k12.in.us. One of the key questions focused on a balanced calendar,
which generally means a shorter summer break and longer breaks throughout the year. Based on West Noble’s survey, 218 people favor a balanced calendar with 99 saying they were against it. West Noble superintendent Dr. Dennis VanDuyne said the survey and its interpretation will continue as part of the corporation’s long-range planning process. “We have compiled the results received so far and shared those
results with the school board,” VanDuyne said. “The board asked that we leave the survey open longer to allow even more people to respond.” VanDuyne said the survey also shows strong support for building in more “snow” days into the school calendar. Results also showed various levels of interest in increasing collaboration time for teachers by delaying school start time one day a week. Survey takers were asked to
offer reasons why they favor a balanced calendar. That breakdown is: • Demonstrates achievement gains: 208 people • Saves money: 64 • Teacher stress relief: 105 • Increases family vacation options: 57 • Similar to other area school calendars: 90 The responses on other ➤ Survey Says, Page 2
Lions reward WNMS students for artwork BY BOB BUTTGEN bbuttgen@kpcmedia.com
LIGONIER — It’s become a time-honored tradition at West Noble Middle School: Every fall, dozens of students put their artistic talents to work and enter the Lions Peace Poster Contest, hosted by the Cromwell-Kimmell Lions Club. This year marked the 16th year for the local Lions to host the competition which offers cash prizes to the top winners. It also provides the opportunity for their posters to be advanced to the national and even international levels of competition. West Noble Middle School art teacher Susan Sprague said the contest remains popular with her
students. “This year we had 60 entries and I was impressed with all of them,” she said. Across the world, the Lions’ contest draws more than 375,000 entries from all corners of the globe. The contest carries a different theme each year, but is always connected to the thought of peace and harmony among people of all nations and races. The 2013 theme is “Our World, Our Future.” On the local level, judges are members of the Cromwell-Kimmell Lions Club who spend the better half of an afternoon examining the colorful posters drawn by the students. The club also rewards the young men and women with financial stipends
Photos by Bob Buttgen
The top winners from West Noble Middle School in the Lions Peace Poster Contest are shown at a recent meeting of the Cromwell-Kimmell Lions Club. From the left are Zarelia Guzman, grand prize winner; Cassidy Hicks, second place; Alexis Brundige, third place; Rocio Ruvalcaba, first place in the 13-14-year-old age group, and Ale Murillo, second place winner in her age group.
This poster drawn by Zarelia Guzman was the grand prize winner in the Cromwell-Kimmell Lions Club peace poster contest. It was advanced to the national contest for further judging.
City moves forward on demolition grant LIGONIER — The city council completed more paperwork earlier this month that could lead to the razing of a century-old eyesore in the city. The city is pursuing a $225,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the state’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Bob Murphy, a consultant specializing in municipal grants, gave council members a rundown of the grant request at the council’s Nov. 12 meeting.
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The building is believed to have been built in the last part of the 19th century and was home to the Wirk Garment factory for several decades. But the three-story structure is deteriorating and needs to come down. It is located on S.R. 5 at the north end of the downtown area. It has not been used for production purposes for more than 35 years. In the last part of the 1990s, a nonprofit group, Discovery Express, took ownership of the building and tried to rehabilitate it for a faith-based science museum and tourist attraction. But that group, after making some improvements over a three-year period, eventually gave up their project and has since disbanded. The building has a leaky roof, all of its windows have been removed and the foundation is shaky, Murphy said. Murphy said he is hopeful the city will get the grant from the state. Murphy said the projected cost is $250,000 to take down the ➤ Demolition, Page 3
for their winning efforts. Over the years, the Cromwell-Kimmell Lions have donated several thousand dollars to the winners of its peace poster contest. First place earns a check for $100; second place gets $50 and third place receives $25. There are two age groups; one for 11- and 12-year-olds and another for 13- an 14-year-olds. “I am amazed at the talent shown by our local students each year,” said Lions Club member Teresa Airgood, who
has coordinated the contest for the Cromwell-Kimmell Lions for the past few years. “It’s a true pleasure to be a part of this contest and to see the beautiful work done by these young men and women.” First place this year in the younger age group was Zarelia Guzman, while Rocio Ruvalcaba won the top prize in the older age group. Guzman’s work has been sent on to the Lions International headquarters for judging at the national level. The
grand prize for the international winner is $5,000 cash and trip to the United Nations in New York City. Second-place winners were Cassidy Hicks and Ale Murillo, while third-place was won by Alexis Brundige and Deyania Rodriguez. The winning students, their parents and siblings attended a recent meeting of the club to receive their checks and show off their artwork to club members.
NEW FLAG FLIES OVER WEST NOBLE SCHOOL
Photo Contributed
Granville “Gran” Roberts is a graduate of the West Noble school system and an accomplished professional artist and graphic designer. Earlier this year, he designed and drew two “Lil’ Chargers” characters, a boy and a girl, to serve as mascots for West Noble Primary School. Earlier this month, Roberts had the designs put on a flag that now flies at the school building. Roberts, on the left, is shown with his family at the dedication ceremony. His wife, Jamie, is holding their son Brady (behind flag). Their daughter, Courtney, and Roberts’ mothers, Lettie Roberts, are holding the other end of the flag. School principal Brian Shepherd thanked Roberts for his donation and his talents.
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