29-01-2025
Education briefs: January 29
Harris, Franco lead LHS speech
The Logansport High School speech team placed third out of 11 schools Saturday at the Rossville High School Invitational.
Senior Brooke Harris and sophomore Madilie Franco both achieved first place finishes during the meet. Harris placed first in the poetry category and Franco placed first in Program Oral Interpretation.
Other individual finalists included Kendal Kranz, sixth, and Axel Loran, seventh, in radio; Esther Sell, second, and Madilie Franco, third, in drama; Alex Before, sixth, in discussion; Sofia Hererra, third, and Ared Ruiz, fourth, in humor; Jennfier Anaya-Serrano, fourth, Cesar Martin, fifth, and Yoslen Robaina-Santana, sixth, in impromptu; Yoslen Robaina-Santana, third, in international extemporaneous; Madison DeHaven, fifth, and Sofia Herrera, sixth, in original performance; Saylor McClain, seventh in poetry and Jennifer Anaya-Serrano, third, in US extemporaneous.
The team will compete next on Feb. 8 at Bishop Dwenger in Fort Wayne.
Volunteer judges are being sought for the McCutcheon sectional on Feb. 22. If you are a former speech competitor or have judging experience and are interested, contact speech coach Jessica Kranz at kranz@
VanCuren makes dean's list
Halle VanCuren, a 2022 graduate of Logansport High School, was named to dean's list within the College of Arts and Letters at the University of Notre Dame during the Fall 2024 semester. Students who achieve dean's honors at Notre Dame represent the top 30% of students in their college.
LHS McHale Tech Team excels
The Logansport High School McHale Tech crew had a strong showing at the Indiana Thespian State Conference over the weekend at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion.
Senior Aiden Snoeberger received a rank of superior for lighting design for 'Matilda the Musical,' the LHS 2024 Winter Fantasy performance last November. He also earned Best in Show in the Lighting Design category for the second straight year.
The McHale Tech Crew won first place in the tech challenge for the fourth consecutive year. The first-place team consisted of Valeria Cortes, Michael Popson, Shelby Ping and Aiden Snoeberger. The second-place team featured LHS students Justin Snay, Allison Miranda-Castro, Veda Fagner and Jordin Cunningham.
More results from the conference will be released at a later date.
Pioneer's Kitchell advances
Pioneer High School sophomore Ellison Kitchell is a semi-finalist in the Butler University Vocal Competition. Kitchell will compete with 20 other students from across the nation. Four other students from Indiana made the semifinals. Semifinals and finals will be held in-person at the university on Feb. 15. Kelsey Thomas, a 2024 Logansport High School graduate, won the competition last year. She is now studying music at Butler University.
CCARTA scholarship available
Cass County Area Retired Teachers Association has opened applications for scholarships of $2,000 each that will be offered by the Indiana Retired Teachers Association Foundation this spring. One will be awarded to each district. Applications are due by April 1. Scholarships are awarded to juniors or seniors in an Indiana college or university who are in a program leading to a degree in education. For an application and directions, visit
