Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Warsaw School Board held a graduation Monday for the school corporation’s Tiger Ambassador program.
Eighteen participants completed a year-long experience designed to deepen their understanding of Warsaw Community Schools (WCS) and strengthen connections between the school district and the community, according to a news release from WCS.
“The ambassador program started four years ago to create a special link between our schools and community members. Each year, at least one ambassador is chosen to represent each of our schools here in Warsaw Community Schools. The ambassador backgrounds are very diverse and represent parents, engaged community members, industry leaders, governmental officials ...,” Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert said during the meeting Monday. “Our goal is to present a behind-the-scenes viewpoint of our schools and provide an opportunity for feedback and also information to continue conversation outside of the greater community, whether that conversation is at the soccer fields, the baseball diamonds or down at the state legislature.”
Ambassadors participated in five lunch-and-learn sessions throughout the school year with a number of “extra credit opportunities,” which included topics like food service, athletics, transportation and school funding, he said.
Hoffert said each of the ambassadors now have a specific contact and links inside WCS, whether it is to ask questions or direct others to the right resources.
The ambassadors for the 2025-26 school year were Ashlee England, paired with Eisenhower Elementary; Megan Yeager, Jefferson Elementary; Trace Hansen, Harrison Elementary; Liebenette Grimm, Washington Elementary; Brandi Fulton, Claypool Elementary; Jake Noftz, Leesburg Elementary; Aaron Hoak, Lincoln Elementary; Jeff Price, Madison Elementary; Chad Towner, Warsaw Community High School; Ryan Langeland, WCHS; Berto Nunez, WCHS; Matt Boren, Lakeview Middle School; Ras Viswanadha, Edgewood Middle School; Cassandra Roberts, Lakeview; Ryan Christner, Warsaw Area Career Center; JoAnn Alverez, WACC; Stacy Burk, WACC; and Eric Lane, paired with Gateway Education Center.
In other business, the board:
• Heard about the Leesburg drama club. First-grade teacher Treleen Cox, one of the co-directors of the club, said Leesburg Elementary School is the only elementary school at WCS that has an after-school drama program. The club has been in existence for 14 years.
Cox said the goal for the club is to build confidence through performing, encourage collaboration and teamwork and have lots of fun. Over the past three years, the club had 59 fourth- through sixth-graders try out for the club. They commit to 10 weeks of practice after school.
Members of the club put on a performance for the school board.
• Heard from the Night to Shine Committee. Night To Shine was Feb. 13 at Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The welding class at the high school made the 4-foot-tall lighted “Night To Shine” letters for the gymnasium. The cosmetology program did participants hair and makeup. Both programs received plaques as thanks.
• Recognized five staff members who were recipients of the 2026 WCS Board Scholarship.
The WCS Board Scholarship supports educators and staff members pursuing advanced degrees and certifications in high-need areas across the district, according to a news release. This year’s recipients were Amy House, Lauren Sponseller, Emily Gough, Autumn Korotney and Krista Dausman.
House is pursuing her certification in special education. Sponseller is working toward becoming a school psychologist. Gough will begin a master’s degree in biological sciences. Korotney is pursuing advanced training in the Science of Reading, along with certifications in dyslexia and literacy coaching. Dausman is working toward her Direction of Exceptional Needs license.
Chief Financial Officer Stephen Boyer said Monday, the applicants were awarded $4,000 scholarships. This year, there were 16 people who applied for the scholarships. The school corporation took a careful look at what some of the licensures needed were throughout the corporation.
A group of Tiger Ambassadors joinder the selection committee and they utilized a rubric to go through and look at the applications anonymously.
