North Judson-San Pierre Woodwind Ensemble Performs Live on WKVI

Posted on Author WKVI
The North Judson-San Pierre Woodwind Ensemble performs live on WKVI

Members of the North Judson-San Pierre Woodwind Ensemble performed the “Reformation Symphony – Symphony #5” by Felix Mendelssohn this morning live in the WKVI studios. The group, lead by Director Matthew Hibbets, played for about 10 minutes and thoroughly entertained the staff at the radio station and the listeners. Any other ensemble wishing to perform live at the WKVI Studio is welcome to contact Tom Berg at (574) 772-7600 or email Tom at tom@wkvi.com. (Anita Goodan plays the alto saxophone and would love to play along if you would be willing to share the music. Her sight-readings skills are pretty good, but she would appreciate a chance to practice before performance time.) Continue reading →

North Judson-San Pierre Senior Named National Merit Scholar

Posted on Author WKVI
John Eckert

North Judson-San Pierre High School Senior, John Eckert, has been named a 2012 National Merit Finalist. He talks about the program and how one is chosen as a National Merit Finalist.

“It’s a nationally sponsored program that gives scholarship money and recognition to top students around the country,” explained Eckert. “To become a semi-finalist, they look at your PSAT and SAT scores and if you do well there and you’re named a semi-finalist then you’re required to submit an application and an essay, basically like a college application. Then they take a look at all of the semi-finalists and they choose four or five thousand from around the country and they’re recognized as some of the top students in America in their graduating class.”

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North Judson-San Pierre Academic Decathlon Team Finishes Sixth at State

Posted on Author WKVI
Academic Decathlon Medalists: Jacob Kieszkowski, Allyssa Thompson and Jonathon Hileman

The North Judson-San Pierre Academic Decathlon team earned seven medals and finished in 6th place at the State Academic Decathlon held on Friday and Saturday, February 10 and 11 at Purdue University in West Lafayette.

On Friday evening, competitors wrote essays, underwent interviews, and presented prepared and impromptu speeches. Allyssa Thompson earned a gold medal in Essay and she and Jacob Kieszkowski earned bronze medals in Interview.

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North Judson-San Pierre Drama Department to Present Les Miserables

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson-San Pierre High School Drama Department will present the musical Les Miserables this weekend and look for community members taking part in this production.

Choir Director, Donna Ness, had a casting call earlier this month for community members to participate in the Les Miserables chorus.

The production will take to the North Judson-San Pierre High School Auditorium stage on Friday, February 24th and Saturday, February 25th at 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday, February 26th at 2:00 p.m. Rehearsals with aspiring stars from the community are tomorrow and nights from 6:00-7:30 p.m. and Thursday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Call Donna Ness at 896-2158 to see if she is still accepting members for the chorus.

Join the North Judson-San Pierre Drama Department in Spring Musical

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson-San Pierre High School Drama Department is looking for you to participate in this month’s production of Les Miserables.

Choir Director, Donna Ness, is looking for singers of all ages to participate in the Les Miserable chorus. Sign-up will be on Thursday, February 16th at 5:00 p.m. You will be required to give information about yourself and pay $10 for a cast t-shirt. Rehearsal that night will be from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. You will need to attend additional rehearsals February 21st-23rd from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

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North Judson-San Pierre School Board Discusses J.E.S.S.E. Reorganization

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The J.E.S.S.E. Cooperative is reorganizing to where all schools in the Cooperative will house their own services and classes for Special Education students. The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed that issue during their meeting and Superintendent Lynn Johnson relays that information.

“We are moving more services into our school district then we’ll have a service district comprised of Starke County – Knox, Oregon-Davis and North Judson-San Pierre,” said Mrs. Johnson. “This year is a transitional year and beginning July 1st most of our special education employees will become North Judson-San Pierre employees. Right now this is a transitional year. We are in the process of reorganizing and it’s an ongoing process this year.”

From the WKVI Archives

Posted on Author WKVI

It was on this date in 1999 we were digging out from the snow. Starke County received 18 ½ inches of snow on January 2nd and 3rd.

On this date in 1973, Superintendent Kermit Weddell was reporting that after a lengthy delay, construction on the new $5 million dollar North Judson-San Pierre High School was underway. It would be built to house up to 800 students in grades 9 through 12. Official ground breaking was set for February that year.

J.E.S.S.E. Co-op to Reorganize

Posted on Author WKVI

The J.E.S.S.E. Co-op is reorganizing. Rochester schools recently pulled out of the special education cooperative that administers more than 80 different special classes and resource programs which leaves 9 school corporations in our area participating in the program.

With the withdrawal of Rochester, Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the majority of the financial services will now come out of Plymouth Schools.

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North Judson-San Pierre School Board Discusses Teacher Evaluations

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed teacher evaluation requirements at their meeting this week. Superintendent Lynn Johnson said that evaluations are necessary due to state law and those evaluations will determine merit pay for the teachers. The components that will be required are still being determined.

Kelly Manning from 21st Century Scholars and Senator Ed Charbonneau recognized Suzie Matzat during the Board meeting. She has been instrumental in keeping the program alive in the Middle School where she was the Guidance Counselor for many years and in the High School where she maintains that position. She was given a plaque as a result of her positive promotion in getting the word out about the program where students can earn free tuition to an Indiana College or University if they sign a contract and remain drug and alcohol free throughout their school career.

North Judson-San Pierre Madrigal Singers Visit the WKVI Studios!

Posted on Author WKVI
Donna Ness, Director, talks about the Madrigal Dinner. The singers presented musical selections live on the air

The North Judson-San Pierre Madrigal Singers visited the WKVI studios to give us a sample of what can be heard during the annual Madrigal dinner. The Madrigal Dinners will be presented on Friday, December 2nd and Saturday, December 3rd at 6:00 p.m. CT, and Sunday, December, 4th at 1:00 p.m. CT at the Grand Central Station in North Judson.

Tickets MUST be purchased in advance. Tickets purchased prior to, or on November 28th, are $18 for adults. Tickets purchased after November 28th are $20 for adults.  Children aged kindergarten through 12 years old are $10. Preschool aged children are free.

In Case You Missed it…

Posted on Author WKVI

In case you haven’t heard:

Gary and Susan Brown

The Annual Starke County Historical Society meeting was held at the Knox High School Cafeteria on Thursday, November 17th with over 100 people attending. After the dinner and business meeting, Gary & Susan Brown, from Valparaiso, provided the program. Since 2011 is the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, the Browns presented a musical program of songs of that period in our nation’s history. They are accomplished musicians. Susan performs on fretted dulcimer, guitar, zither, autoharp, piano, penny whistle, recorder and various rhythm instruments. She is known for expressive vocals; from ethereal Celtic tunes to hard-hitting country songs and has performed for hundreds of audiences all over the Midwest. -submitted by Jim Shilling.  Continue reading →

Starke County Youth Club to Participate in Lights On Afterschool Program

Posted on Author WKVI

Students and staff with the Starke County Youth Club will be participating in the Lights On Afterschool program tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 p.m. at the Knox Elementary School Cafeteria. Lawmakers, parents, school administrators and you are invited to attend this special event.

“The big purpose is for us to draw attention to the need after school,” said Melissa Smith, Starke County Youth Club Program Director. “Without the right kind of funding, programs like ours can be closed and we want to keep kids safe and learning after school. Lights on sends that message and our kids are happy to celebrate and encourage people to come and learn about the importance of keeping buildings like ours and programs like ours open after school.”

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Starke County Sheriff Donates Golf Outing Money to Charity

Posted on Author WKVI
Sheriff Oscar Cowen
Sheriff Oscar Cowen

In past years, Starke County Sheriff Oscar Cowen has held a golf tournament to help finance his political campaigns. This year, Sheriff Cowen will donate the money to charity. The tournament raised $2,115.00, and Cowen has named a charity that will benefit from the fundraiser.

“Two Starke County girls that were well known, Christina Rotering and Ashley Derrickson, who succumbed to cancer, I thought that would be a good cause to donate the money to.”

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North Judson-San Pierre Middle School Principal Makes Good on Promise

Posted on Author WKVI
One lucky student got the first chance to shave Principal Kelly Shepherd's head. The assembly took place on Friday, September 30th

Students from the North Judson-San Pierre Middle School recently held the 6th annual Walk for Wellness and they were able to raise $9,070. Middle School Principal, Kelly Shepherd, said that if the students raised $10,000, students could shave his head. Mr. Shepherd said that even though they didn’t raise the $10,000, the students did such a good job and he would let them shave his head. Mr. Wes Radtke and Mr. Phil Shabi allowed the students to color their hair. Mr. Shepherd was nice to send us the pictures of the fun the students had as part of this fundraiser.  Continue reading →

North Judson-San Pierre Students Raise $9,070 in Walk for Wellness Fundraiser

Posted on Author WKVI

Students from the North Judson-San Pierre Middle School recently held the 6th annual Walk for Wellness and they were able to raise $9,070. Middle School Principal, Kelly Shepherd, said that if the students raised over $8,000, Mr. Wes Radtke and Mr. Phil Shabi would allow the students to color their hair. Mr. Shepherd has agreed to let the kids shave his head, even though the students did not reach the $10,000 mark. Mr. Shepherd said the students did such a great job, he’s going to let them do it anyway. All of the fun begins at 2:15 p.m. this afternoon.

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North Judson-San Pierre School Board Submits Bus Purchase Order

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

Lynn Johnson, the Superintendent of the North Judson-San Pierre School system, talked with WKVI News this week about the highlights of the most recent School Board meeting.

“We did put in a bus purchase notice,” said Mrs. Johnson. “We’re looking at the possibility of purchasing one 72 passenger bus, one special needs bus with a lift, and one multi-purpose bus. Depending on funding, we may purchase two out of the three. We just don’t know yet.”

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North Judson-San Pierre Students to Participate in Walk for Wellness

Posted on Author WKVI

North Judson-San Pierre Middle School is holding their 6th annual Walk for Wellness on September 23rd.

The walk and other activities are on Friday, September 23rd and all students will participate in the educational part of the day. Raising $10 allows the student to participate in the walk-a-thon on our track. $15 allows the student to take part in other fun activities provided by each grade level team. Past activities have included swimming, minute to win it, and an obstacle course.

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