Valley Insight for September 2018 – Guest Author Adam Heckaman

This entry was posted in Akron, Mentone, News, TV High School, TV Middle School on by .

TIPPECANOE VALLEY INSIGHT
By Adam Heckaman, TVSC School Board President

Akron, IN –In 1975, the Tippecanoe Valley community began a transformation that led us to where we are today. We have faced many challenges, experienced much success, but most importantly, we have consistently risen to each occasion presented and grown as a school corporation and community.

Most would agree that at the center of every community is its public school. When schools and community work together, both move towards a positive future. So, what makes our community and school system different? From my perspective, it is clearly the amazing support shared by all our corporation’s stakeholders. If not for our school system, what future would our community hold? If not for our community, what would our school corporation look like?

Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation and the surrounding community have the common goal and commitment to foster student success through development of character, leadership and literacy. We accomplish this through the support of our many extracurricular programs, such as but not limited to our athletic programs, the arts, and vocational programs, as well as the outpouring of public assistance for special events such as the Miracle Tree, a locally sponsored event designed to provide a special Christmas holiday to those needing a little extra help in our community. By building a sense of community within each of our schools, we strengthen our bond with the greater community. The more positive the effect students feel from this bond, the stronger their ties become to the community. Both the community and the school benefit when working together. I believe TVSC’s future is bright and is truly blessed to have such a supportive community for our children to be a part of.

Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” At TVSC, we consistently bring together a small group of people to help change the world. This small group of people is the amazing teachers, counselors, administrators and various support staff who create a safe and encouraging space for all our children to grow and learn. Classroom educators are on the front line every day; not only do they instruct, but they mentor, tutor, nurture and counsel. They believe in their students and treat them as family. They work together to achieve goals and encourage students to dream bigger, search harder and reach farther.

As an Alumnus of Tippecanoe Valley High School, I have often asked myself where my sense of pride for my school and community comes from, and why is it so strong? What is it about the school and the community we grew up in that holds such a special place in the hearts of Valley Alumni? I believe the answer is in the bonding of life-long friends, memories made, dreams created, knowledge gained, and the educators who cared and encouraged us to succeed. Those of us who have graduated from TVHS understand the sense of Valley Family – Valley Pride which resurfaces when we take time to reflect and appreciate our past and present as Vikings! This pride overflows us as we walk the halls of our old stomping grounds and reflect on the choices and paths our time at Tippecanoe Valley led us down. The experiences and memories from TVSC have shaped us into who we are as individuals. This is our community; this is our school; this is our family. Valley Family – Valley Pride