Retired teachers hand out awards

Saturday, May 17, 2008
The Putnam County Retired Teachers Association, the local chapter of the Indiana association, recently awarded certificates to two former Putnam County students. Pictured from left are Marilyn Martin, scholarship committee chair; Leroy Blocher, scholarship committee member; award winners Jennifer Schlatter and Katie Earl; and Millie See and Mariette Bargen, scholarship committee members.

Two students were recently given certificates and scholarships from the local chapter of the Retired Teacher's Association (RTA).

Katie Earl, a 2004 Greencastle High School graduate, and Jennifer Schlatter, who graduated from South Putnam High School in 2005, were both honored with a luncheon at Putnam Inn Monday.

To qualify for this scholarship, a student must meet the criteria set out by the RTA including being at least in their third year of an Indiana college, aspire to be a future educator and have graduated from a Putnam County high school.

Following a selection process that included an application and short essay, the scholarship board reviewed the applicants and decided on Earl and Schlatter due to their reference recommendations and stellar academic standings.

Earl is the daughter of Bill and Joan Earl, Greencastle, and is currently attending Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. Her major is elementary education and she plans to graduate in May 2009.

Schlatter is the daughter of Larry and Pamela Schlatter, Reelsville, and matriculates at the University of Southern Indiana. She also is an elementary education major with a minor in reading and plans to gradate in the spring of 2009.

The Putnam County Retired Teachers Association is an affiliate of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association. The group is comprised of retired teachers from all four county schools, other Indiana counties and also welcomes retired teachers from other states.

The group's mission is not only to support the course of retired teachers, but also to support education in Indiana by giving scholarships to Putnam County graduates enrolled in education programs in Indiana institutions.

Retired teachers actively volunteer in many ways. Statewide the many hours volunteered have a value of over $1 million annually.

They RTA meets six times a year on the second Monday of the month at the Putnam Inn for a lunch meeting at 11:30 a.m.

All retired teachers are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, call 653-6169.

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