The Decatur Proud Recognitions for the June 2023 Board Meeting, presented by Dr. Stephanie Hofer, Assistant Superintendent, included students, employees, and the School Board as well.
7th Grade Baseball Team
First, Dr. Hofer recognized the 7th Grade Baseball Team from Decatur Middle School, who were represented by Coach Alex Hommel and player Gage Sprague. The team ended their season with a 10-1 record and were Junior Mid-State Conference Champions!
Left to Right: Dr. Matt Prusiecki, Superintendent; Gage Sprague, Player; Coach Alex Hommel; Board President Judy Collins8th Grade Softball Team
The 8th Grade Softball Team was also recognized including Coaches Donnie Ivey and Brian Gegner and players: Belle Asher, Charlie Baldwin, Savannah Boone, Zoey Bostic, Izzy Burton, Alyssa Clouse, Harlow Estes, Payten Kinney, Kaylynn Napier, Makinzie Taylor, Brennyn Waltz, and Aaleyah White. The team finished their season 10-2 and were named Junior Mid-State Conference Co-Champions!
L to R Back Row: Dr. Prusiecki, Mikinzie Taylor, Brennyn Waltz, Kaylynn Napier, Harlow Estes, Zoey Bostic, Alyssa Clouse L to R Front Row: Aaleyah White, Payten Kinney, Izzy Burton, Charlie Baldwin, Belle Asher, Board President Judy Collins, Coach Donnie Ivey (not pictured Coach Brian Gegner)DMS Track and Field Team
Our DMS Track and Field team had an amazing season which ended with multiple conference champions and seven new school records. Dr. Hofer recognized coaches Jessica Considine, Connor Ray, Emily Wilson, and Kyler Perez, as well as the following athletes for their achievements:
Avery Mourer:
Junior Mid-State Conference Champion
DMS Record Holder - 800M Run 2:10.9 and 2400M Run 7:36
Daniel Adjahli:
Junior Mid-State Conference Champion
DMS Record Holder - 400M Run 53.8 seconds
Nicole Ejimabo
Junior Mid-State Conference Champion - 200M 28.29 seconds
Jackson Doney
Eli Swain
Daniel Adjahli
Colton Ison
Jr Mid-State Conference Champions - 4x400 Relay 3:52.7
Jackson Doney
Eli Swain
Daniel Adjahli
Avery Mourer
DMS Record Holder - 4x400 Relay 3:48.6
Peace Oladele
Jordyn Hazelwood
Nouriath Sounkere
Nicole Ejimabo
DMS Record Holder - 4x100 Relay 52.78
Darrion Blevins
Jonathan Rolling
Colton Ison
Hunter Harvey
DMS Record Holder - 4x100 Relay 46.47 seconds
Jackson Doney
Eli Swain
Johnta Wallace
Avery Mourer
DMS Record Holder - 4x800 Relay 9:01.6
L to R Back: Dr. Prusiecki, Superintendent; Coach Emily Wilson, Coach Connor Ray, Daniel Adjahli, Jackson Doney, Eli Swain, Colton Ison, Johnta Wallace, Avery Mourer, Coach Kyler Perez L to R Middle: Hunter Harvey, Darrion Blevins, Board President Judy Collins L to R Front: Nicole Ejimabo, Nouriath Sounkere, Coach Jessica ConsidineLanden Nelson, DCHS Edge Academy Junior/Student Broadcaster
Next, Landen Nelson, DCHS Edge Academy Junior and Student Broadcaster was honored, along with DCHS Principal Tom Wachnicki and Director of Edge Academy Christine Mullis. Landen competed in the Indiana Association of School Broadcasters 2023 High School Competition where he earned two awards: 3rd place for Original Drama as well as 3rd place for Sporting Event Broadcast. Congratulations to Landen for his success in student broadcasting.
L to R: Board President Judy Collins, Christine Mullis, SLC Director of Edge Academy at DCHS, Landen Nelson, Tom Wachnicki, Principal at DCHS, Dr. Prusiecki, SuperintendentCandace Wildrick, Child Nutrition Administrative Assistant
Candace Wildrick, Child Nutrition Administrative Assistant, was then honored by Dr. Hofer for being awarded the 2023 Office Assistant of the Year by the Indiana School Nutrition Association (ISNA). This is an amazing honor and we are very Decatur Proud of the work Candace does in our district and community. Candace was selected because of her remarkable contributions to the MSD of Decatur Township Child Nutrition Department, as well as her involvement with ISNA! Her efforts and drive to go above and beyond are proof of her dedication to the community of Decatur Township.
Kim Yarnell, Child Nutrition Catering Manager
Kim Yarnell, Child Nutrition Catering Manager, was recognized by Dr. Hofer for being awarded the 2023 Super Star Service Award by the Indiana School Nutrition Association. Kim was nominated for her catering efforts and menu development for the MSD of Decatur Township Child Nutrition Department. She also does an amazing job managing the Catering Department and has welcomed a brand-new team member.
Dr. Hofer commended Nicole Moorhead, Director of Child Nutrition, and Heather Brenegan, Assistant Director of Child Nutrition for their leadership with the previous award winners and stated, “We are blessed to have a dedicated Child Nutrition team and I am Very Decatur Proud of this Department.”
L to R: Dr. Prusiecki, Superintendent; Heather Brenegan, Assistant Director of Child Nutrition; Kim Yarnell, Child Nutrition Catering Manager; Candace Wildrick, Child Nutrition Administrative Assistant; Judy Collins, Board PresidentJennifer Pearson and Tom Wachnicki, IASP District 7 2023 Principals of the Year
The Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) annually recognizes outstanding school leaders in each of the 12 Indiana districts (District 7 includes all schools in Marion County) who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students. These principals are acknowledged by their peers for the exemplary contributions they have made to the profession. Dr. Hofer announced that Jennifer Pearson, Stephen Decatur Elementary Principal, has been named IASP 2023 District 7 Elementary Principal of the Year and Tom Wachnicki, DCHS Principal, has been named IASP 2023 District 7 High School Principal of the Year.
L to R: Dr. Prusiecki, Superintendent; Tom Wachnicki, District 7 High School Principal of the Year (DCHS); Jennifer Pearson, District 7 Elementary Principal of the Year (Stephen Decatur), Judy Collins, Board PresidentMSD Decatur Township School Board
Dr. Prusiecki, Superintendent, announced that our MSD Decatur School Board was honored with the Exemplary Governance Award, from the Indiana School Boards Association. We are #DecaturProud to have the support and dedication of our School Board; Thank you for your service to Decatur Township!
L to R: Dr. Prusiecki, Dale Henson, Estella Vandeventer, Judy Collins, Larry Taylor, Chase Lyday
Congratulations to all students and employees who were honored! #DecaturProud
New Staff Appointments and Positions
During the School Board Meeting, a new School Resource Officer, Dennis Scott, was sworn into service by Decatur Township School Police Chief Terance Smith. Officer Scott brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from his previous position with the Indianapolis Airport Police Department.
L to R: Dr. Stephanie Hofer, Assistant Superintendent; Officer Dennis Scott, Chief Terance SmithJessica Considine was also recognized as the new Varsity Boys and Girls Cross Country Coach at Decatur Central High School. Ms. Considine teaches at Decatur Middle School, and previously coached cross country and track & field there. She looks forward to taking her coaching skills to this next level of competition.
L to R: Jessica Considine, Varsity Cross Country Coach; Justin Dixson, DCHS Athletic DirectorSean Winkelseth was named as the new Elementary Athletic Director and Dean at Valley Mills Elementary School. Mr. Winkelseth has taught 5th Grade at Valley Mills for the previous five years, while coaching baseball at Decatur Central High School. He is looking forward to starting athletic programming at all Decatur elementary schools, as he continues to serve the students of Valley Mills Elementary.
L to R: Sean Winkelseth, Elementary Athletic Director/Dean; Justin Dixson, DCHS Athletic DirectorWelcome to our new and continuing staff members in these roles!
#DecaturProud