Area 30 students take gold and silver at Pro-Start Competition

Area 30 students have been doing their school proud in competitions lately.

Four teams from culinary, management and career investigation placed in the top of their categories at the Pro-Start Competition held in Indianapolis on Feb. 26.

The afternoon culinary team -- Hannah Ashcraft, Samantha Atwood, Chasta Muse, Bailey Stierwalt and Bryana Calvert -- stole the gold and took first in sanitation and hygiene. The morning culinary team-- Seth Armold, Morgan Johnson, Regan Keller, Dillon Pritchett and Daniel Wilson -- took silver.

"They were very successful," Director Lora Busch said. "We are very proud of our culinary students."

Students Audrey Barger, Anthony Cupps, Ashton Higgins, J. T. Matthews and Jason Bell also took home the silver in management. In career investigation, Caleb Burns and Sierra Graham took silver while Jennifer Souders took bronze.

Wayne Adams also did Area 30 proud, placing 10th out of 70 participants and receiving a commemorative medal in the statewide Midwest Technical Institute Welding Competition

The Area 30 Super Mileage Club is gearing up for its second year of competition in the Engineering/Technology Educators of Indiana Super Mileage Challenge being held at Lucas Oil Raceway April 9-11. Having posted a mileage of 190 miles last year, the group is aiming for at least 400 miles per gallon this year.

So far, the group has received material and monetary donations from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Performance Paints and Rubber Seal, Circle City Bicycle, First National Bank, Charles Hardin, the Putnam Inn and the Bloomington Robotics Club.

Skills USA students in information technology repair, architectural drafting, auto collision repair, auto refinishing, auto service technology and motorcycle technology are also preparing for their state competition in Indianapolis April 15-16.

In other business:

-- Laura and Chris Elsbrock and Carrie Milner will be attending the Adult Education and ESL Conference in French Lick April 27-29. The trip will be funded by a grant, and no local education funds will be used.

-- The board unanimously approved the submission of the 2016-17 Carl D. Perkins Federal Grant application. If received, the funds, totaling nearly $68,000, will be used for the Director of Student Services, LPN trainers and professional development for student and staff mentors.

-- The board also unanimously approved the installment of new carpet tiles in the break room, community room and main, north and south hallways this summer. There will be no increase in the budget.

-- Assistant Director Chad Nunley reported that enrollment for next year has reached 331 students and climbing. He said they are increasing enrollment by encouraging students to stay for two years and shadow other programs.

"We are so far ahead of the game," Director Busch commented. "I know we are going to make it to the 400-mark this year."

An online enrollment form is available at area30.k12.in.us under "student resources."

-- Director Busch reported that 120 guests attended the Feb. 23 open house.

-- The Area 30 Senior Awards Program will be from 12:30-2 p.m. on Thursday, May 12 at the York Auto Family Community Building at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 12 at 9 a.m. at Area 30.