Coronavirus: USI senior remains positive despite 'loss' of final semester

With the recent transition to only-online classes for the remaining semester, University of Southern Indiana senior Ian Graves said he and his friends are "discouraged" by the move.

Last week USI announced the suspension of in-class instruction through at least April 6 due to precautions concerning COVID-19. And Tuesday the school announced the remainder of the semester would be online only.

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Curtain call: Retiring Castle South teacher hopes lessons from performances will endure

When Treva Pruden first arrived at Castle South Middle School in 2009, her goal as choir director was to provide memorable experiences for her students.

In a year's time, Pruden established the school's first musical production, "Wipe Out," and from there, she would continue to organize these performances for 10 years, all of them varying in style and execution.

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New Tech students interview WWII veterans, bringing deeper meaning to their coursework

Nostalgic thoughts ran through Gerald Kinsey's mind as he spoke to several New Tech Institute students Wednesday for the school's Seventh annual Hoosier Veterans Consortium.

Kinsey, an Army and United States Air Force veteran, was nearly speechless when asked how it feels to share his life story. Stories like Kinsey's are what many of the students at the event have been studying in books in their U.S. History and freshman English classes.

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Sig School principal selected for top education honor for ATHENA

After hearing she was honored for her contributions in education this past year, Signature School Principal Jean Hitchcock was filled with disbelief.

Once her feelings of doubt subsided, Hitchcock felt a rush of fulfillment knowing she received such a distinguished honor of top educator for ATHENA.

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Kindergarten students form marriage between letters "Q" and "U"

Good Shepherd kindergarten students came dressed in suits, bridal dresses and wedding veils Friday to celebrate the traditional ritual of matrimonial union — alphabet style.

To underline the relationship between "Q" and "U," Good Shepherd teachers hosted the annual wedding event to honor the marriage between the two letters. Each student recited their vowels and screamed "I do" to officially form their marital bond.

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Angela Davis speaks to overflow crowd at USI's Nelson Mandela dedication

Maybe one lecture cannot change the world, as renowned social activist Angela Davis noted Wednesday night at the University of Southern Indiana.

But judging by the resounding applause from the packed house at USI's 2020 Nelson Mandela Social Justice Day, the keynote speaker's appearance was a memorable one. 

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Former homeless teen overcomes life struggles with elegant grace

Bre'Monyaa Jones says every dance movement she makes is an expression of her story — a way for her to convey her life's journey.

"I feel like when I dance I'm trying to show you what I've been through — like I'm stronger," Jones said. "I just feel like it just shows how passionate I am, how nothing can break me down. Sometimes I feel like I have to cry because I'm doing so good."

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Special education students create costumes for infants in intensive care

Lodge Community School students carefully sorted through mounds of thin cotton sheets, heart-shaped stickers and letters to pick items for their Valentine's Day costumes.

The importance of each detail is heightened for Kyrah Williams and other Lodge special education students, who are focused on making the perfect fit for babies in Ascension St. Vincent's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

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The Boonville Polar Plunge brings added awareness to 'inclusion revolution'

Nearly 100 high school students hurled into the frigid waters of Boonville's Scales Lake Friday in nervous excitement, as they stripped down to their bathing attire to participate in the Polar Plunge.

Rushing back to the beachfront, with their feet nearly ankle-deep in sand, they desperately reached for their towels and clothes for warmth.

But despite the chilling conditions, Mount Vernon student Blake Ritzert said he was thrilled to join others in the plunge to help Special Olympics Indiana athletes.

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Remembering our Fallen: Traveling memorial at USI honors fallen military personnel

USI hosted the opening ceremony of the "Remembering Our Fallen" war memorial at the school's Screaming Eagles Arena. The nationally touring photo-display memorial, which got its start in November 2010, honors military who died from wounds suffered in a war zone since September 11, 2001. Indiana's traveling display is among 15 state-specific memorials and a national memorial.

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UE students react to firing of Walter McCarty, ex-basketball coach some saw as a role model

After the firing of University of Evansville's head men's basketball Walter McCarty Tuesday evening, several students on campus expressed their support for the university's decision. 

UE freshman Kent Biehle said after hearing about McCarty's dismissal there seems to be low morale on campus but that the majority of students agree with the firing of the former coach and support the university's decision.

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