Providence remains a 4 Star School
For the seventh year in a row, the Indiana Department of Education has named Providence an Indiana Four Star School for its achievements in the 2017-2018 school year. Criteria for the designation include having at least 95 percent of our students complete the ISTEP exam, with the percent passing both English 10 and Algebra I ECA ranked in the top 25th percentile.

Thank you to our teachers, staff, and parents, who set high standards and provide high levels of support for our students, and to our students for their hard work and accomplishments. Providence is one of two local high schools to receive this designation.
Providence Activity Center named in honor of donor

The recently constructed Providence Athletic Center, which houses the entrance to Murphy Stadium and the baseball field, is now known as the R.W. Marshall Foundation. A major gift from the foundation, which is an active benefactor in the local community whose support includes Norton Healthcare, 21st Century Parks, Jeffersonville High School, and the University of Louisville, has provided for continuation of the work on the building. The first-floor locker room will soon be available for potential use by our track, soccer, and baseball teams as well as visiting football teams in the fall. Additional work on the second floor area will be completed at a later date.

The PAC is now known as the R.W. Marshall Foundation Providence Athletic Center, or Marshall Athletic Center for short, in recognition of the foundation's gift.
PHS hosts Deanery fifth graders

Last week, Providence hosted about 190 fifth graders from the six Deanery schools for STREAM Day. Students from Sacred Heart, Holy Family, St Anthony, and St Joseph in Corydon attended on Thursday, and students from Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Mary of the Knobs, and St. John Paul II attended on Friday.

The day started with Mass and activities included graphic design, chemistry demonstrations, an engineering lab, an art project, and a math game. Students also enjoyed lunch in the cafeteria.

PHS receives NASA laptops
IT Manager Jack Riddle continually searches for ways to keep our technology up to date at an affordable cost. When he learned of a government program offering schools gently used, free computer monitors, he immediately looked into the offer. Recipients could pick up the monitors or have them shipped at cost. He found two agencies with monitors and chose to have five 20-inch monitors shipped from DHS Border & Protection in Euless, Texas.

He also found six 30-inch monitors and two 22-inch monitors from NASA on ComputersForLearning.gov, the website setup to facilitate Executive Order 12999, Educational Technology: Ensuring Opportunity for all Children in the Next Century. When the shipping costs were too great, he decided to drive to Huntsville, Ala., over Spring Break and tour the U.S. Space & Rocket Center while he was there.

President Steve Williamson is pleased that Providence can upgrade its equipment while also managing costs. The free monitors saved the school around $1,500, and allowed the school to utilize 30-inch monitors, ones that are normally too costly.

"Via programs like this as well as grant writing and energy conservation - motion switches, variable speed motors, LED lighting -, PHS is a good steward of resources," Mr. Williamson said.
STEM programs receive donation, grant
The STEM Club and STEM Camp programs have received a boost from two recent monetary awards. An anonymous donor allowed science teacher and STEM program instructor Mrs. Laura Swessel to purchase a variety of items that will be used in her STEM Club and STEM Camp as well as her Intro to Engineering class. With $1,600 to spend, Mrs. Swessel purchased tools, drones, and materials for wind tunnel lab.

The drones and wind tunnel equipment complement the free equipment she received after the dissolution of the Duke Energy Academy summer camp at Purdue University. With this purchase, she can have enough drones for a lab and have the necessary equipment to make the wind tunnel kits from Duke Energy useable.

The STEM Camp program also received a roughly $1,000 grant from the Youth Philanthropy Council, which is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana. It will be used to purchase additional supplies.
School News: Math Team, National Honor Society, field trips, and more
Math Team finishes 3rd overall
The Math Team finished its season by placing third in District 3 behind New Albany and Louisville Eastern high schools. Several of the students placed in the top 10.

Seniors Adriel Nacpil and Sam Kruer placed fifth and ninth, respectively; junior Lauren Stapp tied for 5th; sophomores Allen Kruer and Rosie Kempf placed second via a tie and 10th, respectively; and freshman Zach Van Wie and Zach Applewhite placed fifth and sixth, respectively.

Seniors take part in safe driving field trip
Last Friday, 30 seniors took part in a day focused on awareness activities to promote safe decisions and prevent drinking and driving. The field trip to Huber's Orchard and Winery was organized by the Clark County Sheriff's Office with help from Huber's Orchard and Winery, Zaxby's, Xtreme Transportation, and others. Thirty seniors each from many of the local schools were invited prior to prom season and graduation, and PHS seniors signed up to attend, with several on a waiting list.

Participants rotated through four stations and individually experienced different activities while wearing goggles to simulate varying degrees of impairment. Some goggles represented varying ranges of blood alcohol content, others were for cannabis, prescription drugs, or LSD use, and some mimicked poor lighting and sleepiness. Some of the activities wearing the various goggles included shooting basketballs, maintaining balance, and driving a vehicle on a closed track.

Science students take energy, fossil field trips
A group of science students went on the fifth annual PHS Energy Tour last week. They toured the Ohio Falls Hydroelectric Plant, the Cane Run Combined Cycle Gas Plant, and the Lanesville Solar Farm. PHS parent Mr. Linn Oelker of LG&E/KU and Nick Geswein '01 of Harrison REMC served as hosts.
Over Spring Break, 12 students went with Mrs. Laura Swessel to Crawford County to search for Devonian and Silurian fossils (age 360 - 420 million years old) at one of her favorite spots. They found the "stalks" of a creature called the Archimedes, which is named after the Archimedes Screw because of its spiral structure, Brachiopods, which is an ancestor of the mollusk family, and a few Crinoids as well as a number of modern-day snails.

National Honor Society inducts 35
On Sunday, 35 juniors were inducted in the National Honor Society during a ceremony at Providence. Juniors may apply if they have a 4.0 weighted GPA and receive two teacher recommendations and one letter of recommendation. Additionally, they must complete all of their required service hours for the year by the application deadline.

Students practice being philanthropists
Six of our students participated in the Youth Philanthropy Council sponsored by the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana. High school students from the area sit on the council, and their primary duty is to recommend the awarding of grants to organizations that benefit youth. PHS students on this year's council include seniors Bryce Drury, Charlie O'Bryant, and Alex Henderson, junior Claire Reyes, and sophomores Katie Huff and Ryley Gunther. Read more.

House profile: Justice leaders motivate House to win
Seniors Kaden Williams and Anna Thomas bring a competitive spirit and differing gifts as co-senior executive delegates for the House of Justice. Anna has the energy to motivate the members of the House to accomplish what needs to be done, and Kaden is a good spokesperson to inform everyone of any necessary information. But they both like to win, and their working together to get their House involved helped their House win the First Quarter Points Contest, they said. Read more.
STUDENT PROFILE
Two seniors earn Eagle Scout rank

Seniors Matthew Nokes and Sam LaMaster recently were named Eagle Scouts by the Boy Scouts of America, the highest rank in Boy Scouts and one that requires advancement through several ranks, the earning of more than 20 merit badges, and organizing a service project. Both belong to Boy Scout Troop 4010 at St. Anthony Parish and have been in Scouting since first grade. Read more.
PIONEER SPORTS NEWS
Student-athletes recognized
Several student-athletes have been recognized recently for their athletic achievements, including:
  • Sophomore Ali Hornung, who was selected to PrepVolleyball.com's "Soph 79" list as one of the Top 79 sophomore volleyball players in the country.
  • Senior Halli Trinkle and junior Natalie Boesing, both Girls Tennis players, have each been nominated as a spring sports player to watch by IndyStar. They will be recognized for their outstanding achievements at the IndyStar Sports Awards banquet on May 5 at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis beginning at 6 p.m.
Also of note, tennis coach Scott Gurgol recently earned his 200th win as a coach when the Girls Tennis team defeated Jasper last week.
Sports News: Cheer tryouts, coach opening, more
Cheer tryouts coming soon
Tryouts for the 2019-2020 season are April 22-24. On Monday, April 22, tryout prep is 6-8 p.m. at Royal Cheer Xtreme, and on Tuesday, April 23, 6-8 p.m. at PHS. The actual tryout date is Wednesday, April 24, 6-8 p.m. at PHS. Participants should arrive wearing shorts, a t-shirt, tennis shoes or cheer shoes, and a bow. 

Assistant Cheer Coach opening
Applications are being accepted for the position of assistant cheerleading coach. Applicants should have some experience in coaching as well as some knowledge of the sport of cheerleading. They must also be willing to work side by side with the head coach to meet the expectations and goals of the team and program and must be available some weeknights and weekends for practices and events. Please email providencehscheer@gmail.com for more information and to set up an interview.

Summer Camp info now online
Information about summer sports and STEM camps at Providence is now available. Click here for more information.
PARENT CONNECTION
Seniors, mothers enjoy luncheon

More than 70 seniors and their mothers attended the annual Senior/Mother Luncheon at The Calumet Club in New Albany. They enjoyed a lunch catered by Stumler's Catering and guest speakers Mrs. Joan Hurley (Hon. '17) and senior Joe Gryboski. 

Thank you to Rookies Cookies, Sweet Stuff Bakery, Sweets by Morgan, and William's Bakery for donating desserts. We thank O'Bannon Publishing for printing the invitations, Steve and Angie (Grantz '83) Koopman for their photography services, and Nance Floral Shoppe for donating the flowers. We also appreciate the time, talent, and donations provided by several freshman moms: Mrs. Ann (Chovan) Barnett '89, Mrs. Maria Beyl, Mrs. Julie (Dattilo) Harper '90, Mrs. Sarah (Makowsky) Hart '84, Ms. Bethany Kerr, Mrs. Christie Simmons, Mrs. Jacque (Wright) Singleton '97, Mrs. Jessica Clemmons, Ms. Dottie Richey, Mrs. Jennifer (Naville) Folz  '95, Mrs. Danielle Luecke, Mrs. Shelley Van Wie, Mrs. Tonya Mercer, Mrs. Linda Applewhite, and Mrs. Michelle Richards.
Parent Notes: ISTEP, Honor Roll, Good Friday
ISTEP finishes up next week
Sophomore students will complete Part 2 of the ISTEP English/Language Arts exam next week having completed the math exam this week. Students with last names starting with A-J will test for blocks one and two on Monday, April 15, and students with last names beginning K-Z on Tuesday.

Students should get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast prior to the test, and when they arrive at school should report to the computer lab for first block. Students are to leave all backpacks, purses, cell phones, and smart watches in their lockers, and they are to bring a pencil.
 
Honor Roll posted online
The Third Quarter Honor Roll has been posted on the website, and it can be viewed here.
 
Good Friday early dismissal
Students will be dismissed at 2:00 p.m. on Good Friday, April 19, so that students, faculty, and staff can attend services at their parish.
ALUMNI NOTES
Easter Egg Hunt next weekend
Alumni and Deanery families with young children are invited to the annual Providence Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 20, at 9:30 a.m. The free event includes photos with the Easter Bunny and other activities in the cafeteria beginning at 9:30 a.m. with the Easter egg hunt on the front field at 10:15 a.m. In case of steady rain, the event will be canceled. The event is sponsored by the Providence Girls Soccer team.
Reunion planning for 2019
Reunion planning is beginning for the class years ending in 4 and 9. To volunteer to help with your reunion planning, contact Ronda (Miller) Stumler '83 at rstumler@providencehigh.net. 

Save the date for 2019 reunions:
  • 1955: Quarterly gatherings: June 14, September 13, and December 6, 2019. 11:30 a.m., The Radisson dining room, 505 Marriott Drive, Clarksville.
  • 1956: 2019 Gatherings: April 12, and October 11, 11:30 a.m., The Radisson dining room, 505 Marriott Drive, Clarksville
  • 1958: May 11, Orange Clover in Jeffersonville, lunch in the Copper Room, 12:30 p.m.
  • 1959: Aug. 31, 2019. Dinner and mingling at the Clarksville Radisson Hotel, 5:00-10:00 p.m. Formal invites will be sent in May.
  • 1969: 50th Reunion, Sept. 20-21, 2019; save the dates have been sent. See class website or email providenceclassof1969@gmail.com for more info.
  • 1979: Sept, 6-7, 2019. Friday: Football tailgate at PHS, Saturday: Tour & Mass at PHS, dinner to follow at Covered Bridge. Follow Providence Class of '79 Facebook page for details.
  • 1989: July 20, 7-11 p.m., Calumet Club in New Albany. Electronic Invites will be sent. Please email your contact info to alumni@providencehigh.net. Follow Providence High School Class of '89 Facebook page for details.  
  • 1999: Aug. 17, 2019. Bourbon Barrel Loft, 7-11 p.m.
  • 2009: Planning underway for fall 2019. To help plan the reunion, please contact Whitney Popp Forbis.
  • 2014: Planning underway. Email Zach Flanagan or phone 502.777.6516.
BLUE PRIDE ON DISPLAY
Purdue jacket connects two sightseeing alumni

It really is, as the saying goes, a small world, as Ellen Ernstberger '12 found out. A product marketing manager-Microsoft Edge marketing for Microsoft living in Redmond, Wash., she typically greets anyone she sees wearing a logo that indicates he or she has a connection to Indiana, she said.

"Whenever I see anyone in Indiana gear out west, it always makes me happy, and I like to say hello because it doesn't happen often," she said.
Such was the case when she found herself standing in line for a shuttle to see the sites of the Grand Canyon recently. She had been in Las Vegas for a work conference and decided to spend a day at the iconic site. It was right after Purdue University had beat the University of Tennessee to advance to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament, and the man next to her was wearing a Purdue jacket.

"So I congratulated him on Purdue's awesome performance in the NCAA tournament so far," she said. "We started chatting, and I told him I was a Hoosier and had grown up in Southern Indiana so was a big Romeo Langford fan."

Turns out, the man, Jay Payne, was not only from Southern Indiana, but was a 1994 Providence alumnus and brother to PHS Director of Communications Christa (Payne) Hoyland '84 and uncle to two alumni Ellen also knew, Matthew Hoyland '11 and Scott Hoyland '14.

Payne, a district manager for Ecolab living in Heartland, Wisc., was in Arizona for the week for business and also had decided to take a sightseeing trip to the Grand Canyon. Both were amazed to make such a Providence connection so far from their home state.
COMING EVENTS
April 16-17 : Sophomore ISTEP testing concludes
April 19: Fourth Quarter Progress Reports
April 19:  Good Friday; 2:00 p.m. dismissal
April 20: Easter Egg Hunt
April 21: Easter Sunday
May 3: No School
LET US PRAY

Palm Sunday Prayer

Lord God,
I give you thanks, for you are good, and your mercy is endless.
Here I stand, at the start of this holy week,
This week in which your church remembers Jesus' passion and death,
And I am distracted by many things.
Turn my eyes now to the One who comes in your name
The one who opens the gates of righteousness
The one who answers when we call.
I bless you, Lord, for shining your light upon me,
And for sending your son to us, in human frailty.
To walk the road we walk.
Open my eyes that I may see him coming,
And may praise him with a pure heart.
And may walk in the way of his suffering,
And share also in his resurrection.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Amen.
From: Ibelieve.com


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Christa (Payne) Hoyland '84
Director of Communications
eVision reporter/writer


Our Lady of Providence High School
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