Board Work Session Recap
April 15, 2025
The Warsaw Community Schools Board of Trustees held a work session on Monday, April 15, highlighting recent student accomplishments and industry partnerships through several academic spotlights.
Academic Spotlight: WACC Welding Program Shines
WACC Welding Instructors Jeremiah Paseka and Nate Howett kicked off the evening with an overview of the local welding competition they launched three years ago. This annual event now attracts participation from neighboring school districts. Competitors are provided with blueprints in advance and judged on skills such as precision, accuracy and skill execution.
This year, WACC’s Whitney Dawson claimed 1st place in the Advanced Division, with Eliza Paton earning 2nd. In addition, eight WACC students traveled to a prestigious competition in Kentucky, where Whitney Dawson won the precision and cutting category, and senior Hunter Martin placed 6th overall—earning multiple scholarships as a result.
Academic Spotlight: Machining with a Master Success
Machining Instructors Tom Till and Matt Alexander presented their recent “Machining with a Master” event, which bridges classroom learning with real-world industry experience. The initiative provided WACC students with hands-on exposure and direct engagement with local employers about career opportunities.
The instructors also highlighted major upgrades to the machining program, made possible through support from the Don Wood Foundation and Vincennes University. These investments have allowed the program to overhaul its equipment with cutting-edge tools typically unavailable in high school settings—further solidifying WACC’s role as a leader in workforce readiness.
WACC students Alyzah Guerra and Patrick Boggs shared their firsthand experiences at the event and expressed gratitude for the opportunities it presented.
Academic Spotlight: Cosmetology Excellence
Tina Streby, WACC Cosmetology Instructor, shared details about the recent Great Clips Competition held in Mishawaka, where Warsaw students earned top honors. In a unique format, students selected inspiration photos and were judged on how closely they could replicate the style.
Warsaw students secured four of the top five placements and several of them joined for the board meeting. Hazel Wood took 2nd place and was awarded $1,000, Taryn Hanes placed 5th and received $100 and Claire Waddle earned a $2,000 scholarship for her first place performance.
📅 Next Board Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will take place on Monday, April 28 at 7:00 PM.