Warrick County school celebrates after winning county's first Blue Ribbon Schools award
Originally published November 2019
BOONVILLE, Ind. — Loge Elementary Principal Lynne Pierce was shocked to see a gymnasium full of students and faculty all thanking her for the work she's done to ensure the school's recent recognition.
As Pierce's emotions began to surface, they applauded from their bleacher seats in honor of her daily efforts, which led to Loge becoming the first school in Warrick County history to receive the National Blue Ribbon School award.
To celebrate the school's historic achievement, Loge teachers planned a surprise assembly for Pierce Thursday to commemorate her for her leadership. The one-hour program featured cupcakes, cake, confetti and mini-games.
"It was a big surprise," Pierce said. "I thought I was coming to the gym to deal with a disciplinary issue. So seeing the gym full of the kids and staff was awesome."
Loge teachers planned the event just days after the U.S. Department of Education granted the school, and 11 others in the state, with the National Blue Ribbon Schools award in Washington D.C. late last week.
Pierce cartwheeled across the Gaylord Conference Center stage to celebrate the school's achievement, an honor given to schools with high academic excellence, notable teaching practices and progress in closing achievement gaps.
"We think we're kind of a big deal," Loge Program Assistant Kelly Putnam said. "Since Mrs. Pierce came here, she's always put the kids first — safety, education. It's the same with the staff. She's a very nurturing principal, and we're very lucky to have her."
Pierce said Loge received the award because of the relationships teachers have formed with their students, which ultimately resulted in their academic success.
"Every staff member here loves our students first and teaches them second," she said. "There's a lot of love in this building."
Pierce said the celebration was just as much for the students as it was for her and other staff members. Their performances on statewide tests such as ILEARN largely helped the school receive national recognition, she said.
"We're all really proud," Loge fifth-grader Kylie Lickey said. "I really like (the celebration) because I love all the teachers. They always say they love us and give us hugs."
Between students participating in the program's mini-games, Putnam and others also explained how important it was to receive this national award for a school located in Boonville — a relatively unknown city.
"I think this should prove big things," she said. "We have the best teachers and students in Warrick County if you ask any of us. So we're going to continue to prove that."
Being able to reach this level of recognition, Pierce said, has pushed the school's students and staff to reach even higher accolades. While receiving the award was certainly a historical moment, the school will continue to build relationships with students and Warrick County communities to obtain more success in the future.
"We'll continue loving our students, and we'll continue to work hard on those test scores the state mandates us to do," Pierce said. "We're always trying to better ourselves, and we're going to continue to be dedicated."