Anita Campbell
County Reporter
Students across the county started back to school last week with many new faces.
At Warsaw R-9, a familiar face leads the way as Scott Gemes takes over as the Superintendent of Schools. Gemes, a ’98 WHS graduate, is returning to lead Warsaw R-9 after serving as superintendent in Prairie Home. Gemes said he was excited about the new year. “Our motto for the coming year will be ‘When excellence becomes tradition, greatness has no limit’,” said Gemes. “We are ready to return to normal as we will be serving lunch in the cafeteria and we will hold assemblies in the gym.”
Gemes commented that Open House at all school buildings was well attended and everyone seemed happy to be returning to school.
New R-9 faculty members include: Lydia Schockmann, music at North Elementary and JBMS; Emily Brownsberger, first grade North Elementary; Kyla Roberts, first grade South Elementary; Ashley Wynn, South Early Childhood; Aspen Longworth, WHS Special Education; Kayla Redwing, Early Childhood North Elementary; Kayce Porterfield, fifth grade South Elementary.
Others new to the district include: Sarah Eidson, second grade South Elementary; Melissa Chaney, North Special Education; Ciara Todd, second grade South Elementary.
Also new to the district: Lisha Douglas, WHS Science, Paula Daughenbaugh, JBMS Math, Ally Logan, South Early Childhood. Cheyenne Salley, first grade North Elementary; Kelsey Brown, WHS agriculture; Shaina Salley, second grade North Elementary, Jami Bishop, South guidance counselor; Stacia Dehaan, kindergarten North Elementary, Teresa Arcisz, WHS English; Julie Gemes, JBMS Art; Rhonda Applegate, South Art & Music; Gage Boise, WHS Math; Suttel Griffin, JBMS English; Kyle Singley, fourth grade North Elementary’; Darren Daughenbaugh, WHS social studies; Matt Brownsberger, WHS physical education; Craig Porterfield, fourth grade North Elementary; Isaac Yoder, JBMS social studies; Robert Adams, JBMS math; and Justin Wisdom, North physical education.
As school begins at Warsaw, there were 1,349 students heading back to class. That number is up from the end of last year.
At Cole Camp R-1, Superintendent Steve Hubbard reported that the district hired two new principals. Jonathan Petersen will take the position of CCHS principal and Andrea Curtis will take over as the Cole Camp Elementary principal.
Other new staff members at Cole Camp include: Amanda Anderson, CCHS science; Jesus Cano, CCHS Spanish; Hallie Harper, CCHS English and drama; Derald Henderson, CCHS physical education; Ashely Henderson, elementary special education; Brendan Rusk, ISS/ISS/dual credit supervisor; Sean Johnson, fifth and sixth grade social studies and W.I.N.; Erin Pfeiffer, seventh and eighth grade special education; Melanie Benitz, post-secondary advisor through the rootEd grant.
“Everyone is excited about the new school year and getting things back to normal,” said Hubbard. “We are ready for the new year.”
Hubbard said Cole Camp R-1 is up by about 30 students.
Lincoln R-2 started the new school year on Monday, August 22. Kevin Smith is the Lincoln R-2 Superintendent.
New staff members include: Luke Goosen, technology; Timothy Borman, fifth grade; Karrie Gutierrez, high school English; Tatum Sinclair, kindergarten through twelfth grade art; Connor Spunaugle, junior high social studies; Mikel Drehle, high school industrial arts; Braden Drehle, junior high science.
Paraprofessionals include: Sommer Anderson, Caitlin Brandt, Ciara Cooper, Kyla Hoffert, Misty Hyde, Madelyn Mensior-Burkhart, Mackenzie Weaver and Elissa Yates.
