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Congratulations to East Washington School Corporation's Michael Gilliam on being recognized as a 2024 Armstrong Teacher Educator Award recipient by the Indiana University School of Education.

The Armstrong Teacher Educator Award is more than a "Teacher of the Year" award. In addition to recognizing educator excellence, the award provides financial support for top Indiana educators to work with current IU faculty and undergraduates in the classroom and early field experiences. 

The school system expresses their pride in Gilliam's honor.

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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

The State of Indiana wants to change high school diplomas that are offered; two choices instead of the present four.

The new diplomas are GPS Diploma and the GPS Diploma Plus. Indiana will also continue to offer the federally required alternate diploma, which is designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.

The GPS stands for Graduate Prepared to Succeed.

There has been no change in the diplomas in the state of Indiana since 1980. According to a press release dated March 27, Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Department of Education, had this to say,” In talking to stakeholders across the state, one thing I have heard on repeat is that, ‘if’ high school looked different for students, then we could better connect them to what’s next. The reality is, the structure of the American high school experience has not changed for most students in over one hundred years”.

The two diplomas offer a more flexible approach and prepare the student for success after they graduate. 

The first GPS Diploma is close to the old Core 40 diploma.

For the GPS Diploma Plus, the student must complete their foundation courses, plus they must complete additional course work necessary to earn their chosen credential of value, as well as complete a high-quality work-based learning experience. Ninth and ten grade students will strategically focus on essential knowledge and skills. This was be accomplished through a set of foundational courses. 

Both diplomas require the student to fulfill three components; foundational knowledge and competencies, employment skills and post-secondary-ready competencies. These foundational and competencies will be obtained in the ninth and tenth grades. Students must master English, Math and Science. Career and post-secondary readiness, communication and collaboration, work ethics, and civil, financial and digital literacy.  Learning these things allows for more flexibility in eleventh and twelveth grades. The student must also engage in something outside of school--this could be volunteer group or a student run enterprise. In the higher grades, students will acquire work-based skills or postsecondary skills.

Something not required are credits in physical education or health credits.

These changes will go through public comments and must be made final by the State Board of Education. Feedback can be through an on line form through Indiana Department of Education.

If successful these changes will go into effect in 2029, and this class will be the first to receive these diplomas.

• Salem High School

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A group of local musicians once again "bands together" Saturday, April 13 to bring the "sound of the Supper Club" to local audiences, as the "Bohemian Supper Orchestra" performs at the Trueblood Performing Arts Center in Salem. 

The event is sponsored by the Salem Education Foundation, with proceeds earmarked for scholarship funds for local students.

Most all the performers are alumni and veterans of the popular "Bohemian Supper Club" events produced by the Salem Choirs in recent years, and musical director Bill Spencer-Pierce promises a great show.

"We have a terrific line-up of outstanding lead vocalists, with star turns by Abby (Corbin) Harrett, Destiny Davis, Devan Grigsby, Bri (Little) Adams, Kameron Gumaelius, and Katie Hobbs, along with Nathan Smith, Zec Morris, and Greg McCurdy", said Spencer-Pierce, who, along with McCurdy, has been putting these shows together for 17 years.

The show is not only designed to feature the vocalists, but a starring role for the band, which includes a four-piece horn section and some sweetening from local string players. Thirty performers in all are donating their time and talents in producing the two-hour show. 

Selections include popular numbers from 60's to the present, with an emphasis on jazz-flavored rock and pop. Colorful and unique orchestration is a point of emphasis of the show, say organizers. 

"We have so many talented people on board", said Spencer-Pierce, "so we want to showcase the whole spectrum of talent. That creates a lot of nice instrumental combinations and solo spots. There's jazz-rock, straight ahead pop, everything from Dolly Parton to Tower of Power and everything in between."

The rhythm section includes McCurdy, Cameron Foutch, and Matt Adkins on guitars, with Zec Morris on bass. David Spencer-Pierce and Axel Root handle percussion. Nathan Smith and Devan Grigsby provide keyboard support. Very capably rounding out the band are A'ndrea Snyder and Taylor Alexander on background vocals, both of whom have often appeared as lead singers in past shows.

Horns include Brandon Johnson, Sam Bortka, Chris Karkovsky, and Bill Laughlin. They're joined by violinist Whitney McCurdy and the "Con Brio" string trio of New Albany.

They will be joined by Salem High School Choir and Band Directors, Lori Tharp and Brittany Hildenbrand on piano and oboe, respectively.

"The addition of the strings really beefs up the orchestral colors available. The. horn players do a lot of doubling as well" said Spencer-Pierce, who conducts the group from the piano.

Dan Mullins handles sound, and the show will be hosted by MC and SHS Basketball Coach Jaelen Nice. 

The family-friendly event starts at 7:15 pm, Saturday, April 13 at the Trueblood Performing Arts Center on the Salem Middle School campus. 

All seats are $10, and tickets go on sale March 1 at Mid-Southern Savings Bank, Salem Apothecary, Loy & Fordyce Insurance, Salem High School, and online at EventBrite.com

SHS Guidance Director Jennifer Martin coordinates the event for the Salem Education Foundation, with assistance from Salem Choir Alumni Chair, Samantha Richardson and others.