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Look inside today’s newspaper for the Spring Lawn & Garden section. April 28, 2021
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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WABASH, IN PERMIT NO. 233 Vol. 44, No. 7
Wabash tabs new superintendent By Mandy Mahan mmahan@thepaperofwabash.com
Amy Sivley has been selected as the next Wabash City Schools superintendent. She will replace Jason Callahan, who resigned earlier this year to take a post with the Indiana Department of Education. Sivley has 27 years of public education experience and, if formally approved by the board, will assume her superintendent responsibilities on July 1, 2021.
During the recruitment process, Dr. Michael Adamson of the Indiana School Boards Association consulted with Wabash City Schools for a nationwide superintendent search. The board of education held meetings with each district building and the community to lend perspective on the attributes sought in the next superintendent. “The meetings held with staff and the community were extremely valuable in lending perspective as to what mattered most to our staff and com-
munity stakeholders,” WCS Board President Rod Kelsheimer said. “It was apparent from those meetings we needed to find someone that would be able to build upon what we are already doing and continue to move our district forward. We looked for someone that had a proven record of leadership, could build relationships, and would drive instruction throughout our district. We also felt it was important to find someone that would be involved not only with our schools, but with the
greater Wabash community as well. We have great community partners and it is important that we are able to maintain and strengthen those relationships to provide opportunities for our students.” After receiving input from community members, administrators, teachers, and staff, interviews were conducted and Sivley was selected from 14 applicants. “The board met and discussed all 14 applicants and their application package,” Kelsheimer told The Paper of Wabash
County. “Interviews were scheduled with five of the applicants. After conducting in person interviews with the five candidates, the board felt two stood out above the rest and second interviews were scheduled.” Sivley has a proven track record of leadership focused on instruction. She has excellent communication skills and the innate ability to collaborate with and develop those around her. These qualities make her especially qualified to lead Wabash City School
AMY SIVLEY
Mission of providing a relevant and rigorous education, founded upon relaContinued on Page 17
Little League opening day has smiles, tears By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com Saturday was a day of joy and a day of sadness at the Field of Dreams. The joy came from the fact that, if all goes well, for the first time in two years, the Wabash Little League will be able to have a full season. The 2020 season was abbreviated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sadness came when the league, en masse, remembered two players who lost their lives in the past year. They dedicated a batting cage and memorial marker to the two players, Nakota Kelly and Kayden Sendelbach. League President Bryan Dillon opened ceremonies by welcoming everyone back to the com-
plex. “Are you ready to play baseball this year,” he asked and was greeted with a rousing “Yes” from players gathered on two different fields to help practice social distancing. “We waited a long time to come back this season, and believe me, we missed all of you. “We missed the opportunity to get together last year, to do sticker sales, we didn’t get to talk to you, we didn’t have an opening day ceremony. Everything was a little different in our lives. We’ve all been through a lot, with schools being displaced, this virus, but today we’re here to play baseball.” Dillon told the players that the league planned for a full season. “We’re going to play
Autumn Shidler makes her way to first base after getting a hit in the game spotlighting teams from the Wabash Little League Cahllenger’s Division.
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this thing through. We’re going to have what we call a normal season. We’re going to play our tournaments, and then we’re going to send you back to school in August,” he said, drawing a round of groans from the athletes. While the 2020 season was abbreviated, work didn’t stop at the fields. “Take a look around,” Dillon encouraged those present. “Things have been added. We got a new scoreboard for T-ball and the Rookie League. We got a new scoreboard down at the City Park. We’ve got two new batting cages for you guys to use. And we want you to use these things. “But also, while you’re out here, we want you to take care of what is yours. These are your ball diamonds. This is your facility, and a lot of people work hard to make sure it’s nice for you. We want you to do little things like pick up your trash … While you’re waiting for the ball to be hit to you, stop digging holes in the dirt and the grass. Be a good teammate. Be a good partner for this complex, so it will stay nice for the years to come.” The dedication ceremony took place at two new batting cages located just north of the concession stand. Dillon praised and thanked Wabash businessman Mike Williams, who built the batting
Wabash Little League players and coaches reflect on former players Nakota Kelly and Kayden Sendelbach at the memorial unveiled Saturday in their honor. Photos by Joseph Slacian cages for the league. Williams, after learning about Nakota and Kayden, took the building one step further and asked for permission to create a memorial for the two. Dillon and Williams unveiled the memorial, which has two plaques designed by Megan Dafoe with the players’ names, pictures and quotes about baseball. After it was unveiled, relatives of the fallen players came up to view the memorial, and then players from the American League Tigers and Pirates, the two boys’ former teams, were asked
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to approach the memorial and reflect on their teammates. Dillon encouraged the players to remember the two boys whenever they use the cages. He also encouraged them to take care of the cages, and to let anyone neglecting the cages to know they are disrespecting the memories of the two youngsters. He also urged the players to begin a tradition of touching the two plaques whenever they use the batting cage, to help carry on the memories of Nakota and Kayden. In lieu of a traditional opening pitch, the
Wabash Little League’s Challenger Division was spotlighted. The division is an adaptive baseball program that allows individuals with physical and intellectual challenges participate in baseball. The youngsters were introduced one by one and, accompanied by their game buddies – members of the Wabash Police and Wabash Fire departments – made their way to the diamond to the cheers of those present. More on the Wabash Little League and its schedule of games can be found at wabashlittleleague.org.
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