Mornings with Mom ... and snacks

Kristy Fortune sends this Cheer on behalf of the Western Intermediate School PTO:

“I would like to give a big thank-you to Dunkin’ Donuts of Kokomo.

“The PTO held its annual Mornings with Mom breakfast in correlation with the school book fair Feb. 23 and 24. They delivered a total of 100 dozen doughnuts at NO CHARGE.

“Two of the employees, Kelli and Beth, were very easy to work with and kind enough to dress up as the company mascots – a doughnut and a coffee cup. The kids really enjoyed getting their pictures taken with the mascots and interacting with them! Kelli and Beth did an outstanding job representing the company they work for.

“Thanks again, Dunkin’ Donuts, for helping make the Mornings with Mom breakfasts at Western Schools extra special this year!”

School takes spirit out of games

Ginny McMillin of Kokomo sends this Jeer for Kokomo-Center’s refusal in allowing students to bring the high school mascot to center floor at basketball games:

“Kokomo High School has always been known for its school spirit and its fans. I have enjoyed going to the games, watching and being a part of the inner action and all of the energy between the student body, the fans and the pride you have when they bring in the Kokomo High School mascot to the center floor. I myself attended Haworth High School, and I will tell you how proud I was of my school and our mascot. But after stating this I must say being born and raised in Kokomo, I am just as proud of what Kokomo High School has always stood for, not only in academics but its excellent athletic programs.

“The athletic programs through the years have been the one thing that has brought the student body and all of the fans together to display their collective spirit and pride for the Kokomo Wildkats.

“With that being said, I am very disappointed with the athletic director’s decision to quiet the student body and refuse to let the students bring their Kokomo Wildkat mascot onto the center floor. That mascot has been the history of this great school, along with all of the participation of the student body for many years and all of the pride they have had for the Wildkat players.

“I would ask Mr. Wade to take a heartfelt tour through Memorial Gym, then explain to all of us (students, fans, parents and friends) how he cannot feel the energy of the past portrayed in that gymnasium with the Wildkats’ alumni, veterans and fans. I attend every game faithfully, whether it is at home or away. I have observed the crowd’s participation at all the games, and it is no different than our own students here at home, although I must admit our students and our fans love their Wildkat team.

“The Wildkat coach played for Kokomo himself, and he should know firsthand how important school spirit from the students will energize a team. He should have just as much pride for the mascot that the students have today (it has been the same mascot as far back as I can remember).

“I would ask you both how proud you were at the Kokomo-Logansport home game when you looked at the student section and saw how empty it was? That was on a school night when students don’t usually go out of town.

“I hope you rethink the decision you have made and let the student body support their school, their team and their mascot. What’s next, Mr. Wade? Do you try shutting up all the rest of the fans? I can only speak for myself and hope that there are more Kokomo Wildkat fans out there who feel the same as I do, and speak up about the disgrace you have done to the Wildkat team, the students, the alumni and all of the fans.”

Group sends blankets to Haiti

Janet Duchateau, the Project Linus chapter coordinator, sends this Cheer:

“I would like to send this Cheer for Pat and Teresa Campbell and Syndicate Sales for helping me send 450 blankets to Pennsylvania for shipment to Haiti.

“Project Linus, Kokomo/Howard & Tipton Counties, would not have had extra blankets for this effort because we normally deliver all the blankets we receive each month to the area hospitals. But because of the Disney volunteer program, I have received over 1,200 blankets since Jan. 1, giving me the extra blankets to send to Haiti.

“It was very rewarding to be able to help the people in Haiti and had it not been for the help I received from the Campbells and Syndicate Sales, I would not have been able to help now.”

Many aid in science education

Emily Bargerhuff sends this Cheer for those who support science education:

“This Cheer is for everyone who supported and helped with the Howard County Science Fair at IUK Feb. 20. Students, teachers, parents, judges, benefactors and anyone else involved need to be commended for the difference they are helping to make in young lives in Howard County.

“There were 38 senior division exhibits from Eastern (teacher, Ben Cox) and Northwestern (teacher, Patty Zeck). This is the largest senior division representation in many years.

“Forty-two students were in the junior division from elementary and middle schools throughout Howard County – Eastern, Northwestern, Sts. Joan of Arc and Patrick, Redeemer Lutheran, Maple Crest, Howard, Boulevard and Taylor.

“The students and teachers put much time and effort into forming a hypothesis (theory), running tests to gather data, making graphs and visuals to put on display boards, and perfecting their oral presentations. The volunteer judges listened to each student explain the logical, cognitive, scientific-theory thinking skills used to guide them through their projects as they proved or disproved their original theories.

“Each student was judged and received feedback from five different judges. Hopefully, this feedback helped the students prepare for future science fairs (regional, state and international).

“Howard County almost always has one or more students advance to the international level. Due to the generosity of the sponsors, $2,325 was awarded in prize money to the top 12 junior division winners and top 10 senior division winners. Monetary sponsors were Haynes International; Bucheri, McCarty, and Metz; Greentown Lions Club; H.E. McGonigal; IBM; Kokomo Animal Hospital; Kokomo Grain; Newlon Metals; St. Joseph Hospital; Tenbrook Sales; Early Risers Rotary Club of Kokomo; Wyman Group; Mark Comerford; Emily and Ron Bargerhuff; Reta and Bruce Brown; Bob and Marcia Gillette; Stan and Jody Ortman; Charles and Sandy Sponaugle; James and Marsha Sponaugle; IUK and the IUK plant maintenance employees.”