VALLEY INSIGHT

by Cory Cooper
Assistant Principal
Tippecanoe Valley Middle School
A Goal for the Future

Tippecanoe Valley Middle School (TVMS) added a coed soccer program this past spring. The School Board approved the TVMS Soccer Team in 2017 and two new coaches were hired – Gary Craft and Angie Lowe – who not only had prior coaching experience, but also were also excited to start the middle school soccer program. Multiple options for a new logo for the soccer team jerseys were created by Roberts Signs and voted on by students. The coaches had team callouts and over 30 students, boys and girls in grades 6-8, showed interest in playing soccer during the 2017-2018 school year.

Open gyms were set in February and almost every student who signed up came to the fundamentals sessions. The coaches were well organized and planned great practices that not only taught skills but also reinforced love for the game. The team jerseys came in the week of the first game and it was great to see the excitement of the players, most of whom had never played a competitive team sport for TVMS. These students would now represent TVMS in its first year of middle school soccer. The emphasis on being a part of the school’s history was communicated every practice by the coaches with the intent to set traditions and expectations from the inception of the team. The “team concept” was discussed at every practice. It was exciting to see boys and girls compete for spots while working well with each other.

After a first game cancellation due to inclement weather, TVMS’s first game was played against the Peru Tigers. Peru’s middle school team arrived and the TVMS parents, despite the very cold weather, all came out to witness their student-athletes make history. The referees whistled the ball in play and the game began. The two middle school teams would play two 30-minute halves with a 10-minute halftime. Nervous energy was everywhere. A Valley player fired a shot that hit the post and was quickly kicked out of the box by the nearest defender. Then it happened! A quick steal and possession went to Valley. A through ball allowed the talented midfielder, Christian Ramirez, to shoot from outside the box and everyone watched as the ball exploded off his foot and quickly found its way into the top of the goal in the third minute. TVMS had scored the first of many goals in the team’s first ever home game in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Then it happened again! Once in the 17th minute and four more times before the game was over.

The TVMS soccer team went on to finish the season with 8 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie. For a first year team, this is a feat unheard of. For that, I want to thank our coaches for inspiring our athletes and allowing them to dream big, the players for being coachable and doing the work in practice that translated to results and goals in games, the School Board and administration for providing the resources, and the parents for supporting the team and their athletes. Soccer is alive at Tippecanoe Valley!

VALLEY INSIGHT – CORY COOPER – JUNE 2018

AKRON, IN – At a special convocation on Friday, May 18, Tippecanoe Valley High School was named a Unified Champion School. Champions Together is a partnership between the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and Special Olympics Indiana.

Lee Lonzo, Director of Champions Together presented the banner to Tippecanoe Valley High School and the TVSC Community. Mr. Lonzo commended the students and their adult mentors for being named a 2017-2018 Unified Champion School and for being a statewide leader in the Champions Together movement. Tippecanoe Valley is one of an elite group of schools in Indiana that have achieved this honor and the first school receiving the banner for being named a Unified Champion School for the 2017-2018 school year.

An award program was established to recognize schools that embrace partnerships and do exemplary work in the areas of student leadership, respect for persons with intellectual disabilities, inclusion, Unified Sports participation and fundraising to support the goals of Special Olympics.

TVHS sponsored activities that were planned, organized and administered by an Inclusive Leadership Team (Kris Walker’s Peers Class), that strives to do things with student with disabilities, not for them. The school participated in several activities designed around whole school engagement that promoted and encouraged awareness, respect and inclusion. The school organized and participated in an IHSAA Unified Track and Field. The teachers of TVHS also raised $1500 for the Champions Together project.

Mason Metzger led off the convocation with an inspiring message for all the students at TVHS. Mason’s message included ways to look at opportunities from a unique perspective, teamwork, and encouraged the audience that through the obstacles, you get stronger. Mason concluded with ways to create a personal mission statement of just 15-20 words, understanding “growth mindset” and asking the audience what legacy they wanted to leave.

Congratulations to Cheyene Oldfather for being named 2018 TVHS Valedictorian.

Cheyene plans to attend Florida State University to major in Chemistry. She plans to pursue a career in the medical field. Cheyene is the daughter of Beth Oldfather.

Congratulations Dakota Parker for being named 2018 TVHS Salutatorian.

Dakota plans to attend Purdue University to major in Engineering. He plans to pursue a career in the engineering field. Dakota is the son of Joshua and Lichelle Parker.

Graduation Ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 3.

Congratulations to all Tippecanoe Valley High School Graduates!

VALLEY INSIGHT
by Dr. Shelly Engle
Language Arts Teacher
Tippecanoe Valley High School

VALLEY INSIGHT – MAY 2018 – SHELLY ENGLE