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Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
One Nation Under God
Ready To Rip
Page 6 www.the-papers.com
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Cripe, Adkins top Wawasee seniors Taylor Cripe and Kennedi Adkins have been named the valedictorian and salutatorian for the 2022 graduating class at Wawasee High School. Cripe is the daughter of Andrew and Susan Cripe, Syracuse. While her college plans are undecided at this point she plans to major in English and marketing. She has been active in theater, golf and Key Club and is a member of the National Honor Society and student council. Adkins is the daughter of Randy
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Businesses, individuals honored at Syracuse Chamber awards banquet The 2022 Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce annual awards celebration recognized large, small and new businesses, an organization of the year, volunteer of the year and an ambassador of the year Thursday evening, March 24. Miller’s Merry Manor, Davidson’s Auto, BrewCity Roasting Company, Wawasee Community School Corporation, Dave and Kathleen Johnston and Mason Slabaugh were recipients of the awards presented. The evening also included several announcements in efforts to make Syracuse a year round destination. Miller’s Merry Manor, recipient of the Large Business of the Year Award, was recognized as being healthcare heroes in every sense of the word. “Taking care of our most prized generation in the later stages of life, we’re so fortunate to have a nursing care facility like this in our community,” said Michael Murphy of Bowen Center, award sponsor. It was noted Miller’s provides short and long term care; rehabilitation care; physical, occupational and speech therapies; hospice care;
and adult day care. “Miller’s Merry Manor does it all … deeply invested in Syracuse.” Travis and Heather Davidson, now owners of Peterson’s Fish, were recognized for the efforts they did as owners of Davidson’s Auto, which is no longer in business. Amy Rensberger, Key Bank, sponsor of the Small Business Award, noted the efforts of the Davidsons in giving back to the community with free giveaways and the veterans banners. The banners placed around town last year included names, photographs and years of service of veterans in the community. There were 50 banners placed Continued on page 2
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Milford classroom project earns international attention %\ .(,7+ .1(33 6WDII :ULWHU What started out as a class project in Cheryl Van Laeken’s fifth-grade classroom at Milford Elementary has gone viral, garnering media attention as far away as France. She, nor her students, expected their efforts to gain worldwide attention, but less than a month after the idea took flight, it has accomplished just that. “It started when I heard of a similar idea in California on the radio as I was driving to work,” Van Laeken said. “I asked the kids when I got to school if it was something they would be interested in doing, and they all agreed!” The idea was to create a phone line into which people could call to receive a positive message. “We wanted to do something nice for people,” Van Laeken said. “We seem to be living in a very Continued on page 2
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P litics Cates and Davis compete for County Council District 1 seat %\ '$9,' +$=/(',1( 6WDII :ULWHU Republicans Kimberly Cates and Todd O. Davis will compete in the May 3 primary election for the office of Kosciusko County Council District 1. The winner will be placed on the ballot for the general election Tuesday, Nov. 8. The Mail-Journal asked each candidate to provide a brief bio and answer three questions about representing District 1 on the County Council. Bios Cates believes in small, frugal government with local control. With more than 30 years of small business ownership and a decade of local government experience, she brings a business perspective along with conservative values to the council. As a member of the council, she stands to mirror the constitutional values we hold dear. Davis has lived in Kosciusko County for nearly 50 years. He and his wife, Paulette, of 40 years raised their three daughters in Warsaw, all attending Sacred Heart School and graduating from Wawasee Community Schools. They now have six
grandchildren and a seventh on the way. Todd retired from Zimmer Biomet in 2019 as president. What education, work and life experience do you have that qualify you to run for County Council District 1? Cates: “I served on the Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board, Turkey Creek Township Fire Territory Advisory Board as president and other local, state and international boards. My background is in business management, tax and marketing. I was a delegate to the Indiana State Republican Convention, Republican precinct chair and represented Indiana at the National Federation of Republican Women’s Convention. With a proven record of working with other council members, board members, residents, government agencies, associations, unions and businesses for the betterment of our community. I am a focused and involved County Council member and continuously work with others to resolve the issues facing Kosciusko County.” Davis: “The Kosciusko County Council is responsible for the fiscal performance of our county government and welfare of its residents. Continued on page 2
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and Sherri Adkins, Pierceton. She plans to attend Purdue University to major in political science. She is a member of the student council and National Honor Society and has participated in the Environmental Club, Dollars for Scholars and as a volunteer with Teen Court. She is a baseball and tennis student manager. Both Cripe and Adkins will address the graduating class during graduation ceremonies at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 5.
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