WABASH, IN – The Metropolitan School District of Wabash County recently recognized outstanding student achievement during its 37th Annual Academic Awards Banquet, honoring high-achieving students from Northfield Junior-Senior High School and Southwood Junior-Senior High School.
Families, educators, administrators, and community members gathered to celebrate students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to academic excellence.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable success of these students, which is a result of their hard work and discipline,” stated Tim Drake, Chief Academic Officer. “Honoring their achievements is a highlight for MSDWC. We are excited to see the bright futures of our Northfield and Southwood seniors.”
The evening’s guest speaker was Dr. Todd Mowery, a 1999 graduate of Northfield Junior-Senior High School. Dr. Mowery is currently an assistant professor at Rutgers University and is affiliated with the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the Rutgers Brain Health Institute.
In addition to teaching and research, Dr. Mowery serves as director of resident research in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences. His research focuses on the auditory and vestibular systems, studying how hearing loss and balance disorders influence brain circuits involved in cognition and decision-making.
He leads the Mowery Lab for the Treatment of Hearing Loss, where his team investigates neuroplasticity, auditory processing and gene-therapy strategies using adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) to modify both peripheral and central nervous system function.
Students recognized at the banquet included:
Northfield Jr/Sr High School:
Tayten Barlow, Lillian Barton, Luke Eviston, Logan Graft, Tyler Haupert, Leah Hayes, Callie Hoffman, Sophia Holley, Drake King, Ty Leming, Hannah Leonard, Logan Lyons, Mason Lyons, Brayden Rice, Alyssa Schnepp, Vance Smith, Brinlei Swihart, and Cody Yeiser.
Southwood Jr/Sr High School:
Sylvia Bakehorn, Colleen Boardman, David Coertse-Bradshaw, Hailey Collins, Cooper Drake, Owen Enyeart, Brody Height, Danika Holbrook, Coan Holloway, Malia Mahan, Victor Mondragon, Ryan Nelson, Ivan Ranck, Dalton Stephan, Natalie Sutphin, Sophia Temple, and Lilah Vandermark.
The Academic Awards Banquet is an annual tradition that celebrates scholarship and recognizes the commitment students have shown to their education throughout their high school careers
