The top 29 students in the Portage High School senior class of 2012 were honored on Tuesday night at Woodland Park’s Sycamore Hall. PHS held its annual ACES Banquet to honor the students that excel academically the most. The top five percent of the class, based on grade point average, was invited to attend.
Each ACES (Academic Champions Excelling in School) student is permitted to invite one teacher or staff member who has made an impact on him or her during his or her time in school. The teacher can be from any time during the student’s educational life, from kindergarten to senior year.
“Having these students in our school makes my day, going to work every day, a blessing,” PHS principal Caren Swickard said.
Each student was allowed to invite two additional guests, typically parents or other family members. Many of the teachers who took home ACES awards were also accompanied by a guest. Dinner and dessert were served before the presentation commenced. Swickard said that the purpose of the evening is to recognize and reward students, teachers and parents for their hard work.
“Although tonight is about the students and teachers, I would be remised if I didn’t point out that a significant factor in the academic success of tonight’s honored students is the support and encouragement of parents,” she said.
Josh Sullivan, the 2012 PHS valedictorian, led the pledge of allegiance before the dinner and banquet. Sullivan was accompanied by his fifth grade teacher David Lesich. Salutatorian Zach Lundy brought National Honor Society co-advisor and history teacher Cathy Nye.
The PHS science department was well represented as chemistry teacher Carrie Brown was selected by Ali Johnson, physics teacher Brenda Nowosad was selected by Scott Terpstra and biology teacher Donna Wirick (unable to attend) was honored by Stefanie Monastyrski.
History teacher Robert Parker has been a staple at the event since its inception. This year he was picked by James Brasseur. Government teacher and NHS advisor Jessica Munden came with Ken Guerra, while economics instructor Mark Marvin was the guest of Hannah Dorman.
Jennifer Symer was the only non-teacher to win an ACES Award. She was selected for her helpfulness to Ashley Bonzani as a guidance counselor. Other PHS teachers to be selected as ACES (with students’ names in parenthesis)- art teacher Kara Rupcich (Aza Braner), French teacher Andrea Flynn (Taylor Cable), career and technical education teacher Rhonda Doane (Brianne Cipich), Latin teacher Thomas McKeown (Tom Duff), English teacher Marcia Hobart (Austin Edwards), track and field coach and technical education teacher John Kappes (Katherine Engel), music teacher Bill Timmerman (Chelsea Exl), Major John Johnston (Othie Freeny), Auditorium Director Kevin Giese (Valerie Gregorash), senior English teacher James Downes (Brad Lafata), social studies teacher and cross country coach Tom Erickson (Cory Lamping), Algebra II teacher Vanessa George (Jacob Lauritzen), senior English teacher Roberta Jocius (Lily Lin), AP Calculus teacher Barbara Lochmondy (Aaron Lopez), sophomore English teacher Arlene Neill (Alexander McGrath) and English/bible literature instructor Jill Redmon (Carson Snyder).
Teachers from students’ younger years were also remembered. Kacie McGuire invited her fourth grade teacher Barb Smith, who is now at Myers Elementary. Shubhkarman Multani brought his eighth grade science teacher Carrie Sanidas from Willowcreek Middle School. Dannette Williams was joined by second grade teacher Diane Zuick of Myers Elementary. Zach Laskovich was accompanied by former Fegely Middle School teacher Jesse Evans.
“There is something very important at work here tonight. The relationship that has developed between the teachers and the students is deeply important,” Portage Township Schools Superintendent Mike Berta said.
All teachers that were awarded receive a glass apple to display in their classroom.
Prior to the start of the banquet, Swickard announced that longtime Portage Township Schools administrator Andrew Halaschak, who is currently a freshmen principal in the PHS West Building, will be retiring at the conclusion of the school year. Halaschak aided with the presentation of the ACES awards.