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INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 1, 2024) — Agriculture educators play a crucial role within their communities by investing countless hours to prepare and empower students for successful careers in the industry.

In recognition of their invaluable contributions and to offer additional resources for their programs, Nationwide introduced the Golden Owl Award in 2018.

Since its inception, the Golden Owl Award has awarded nearly half a million dollars to support teachers, students, school agricultural programs and FFAs. Last year, there were over 3,500 nominations across 11 participating states. Due to its positive impact and popularity, the award is expanding this year to include Kentucky and Maryland.

“Agricultural educators are so much more than teachers; they’re community servants who are shaping the leaders of tomorrow,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “Together with our partners, we encourage students, parents, fellow teachers and other community members to nominate their agricultural teachers to acknowledge their hard work.”

Indiana FFA is now accepting nominations for Indiana’s top agricultural teachers for a chance to be named as the Ag Educator of the Year. Nominate any Indiana agriculture educator for the 2024-2025 Golden Owl Award from November 1^st, 2024, through December 31^st, 2024. Nominations can be submitted HERE.

After the nomination period closes on December 31^st, a selection committee will evaluate nominations and select eight finalists in Indiana. These finalists will be recognized in front of their peers and students, receiving a personalized plaque and $500 award. One finalist will then be chosen as the grand prize winner, earning the 2024-2025 Ag Educator of the Year title for Indiana, along with the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and an additional $3,000 to help fund future educational efforts.

The 2023-2024 Golden Owl Award recognized 79 exceptional agricultural teachers, including 11 Ag Educators of the Year. This year, the award program will recognize leading agricultural teachers across 13 states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.

Nationwide is committed to supporting the future of the ag community through meaningful sponsorships of national and local organizations. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to each participating state’s FFA, including the Indiana FFA, to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike.

The owl, a symbol of knowledge and wisdom, is one of the five symbols in the FFA emblem. It inspired the name of the Golden Owl Award program, reflecting the dedication and investment agriculture teachers make to empower their students.

To learn more about the Golden Owl Award, visit GoldenOwlAward.com.

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WW Star Student 1029

WW Star Student 2 1029

Congratulations to the most recent West Washington Star Students Keaton Stone and Phillip Carlton! Keep up the great work!

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By Cynthia Elliott, Student Writer

Bradie Shrum Elementary is getting into the fall spirit with plans for a Fall Festival on Tuesday, October 29, from 6-7:30 p.m. The event will be hosted by Title 1 as a Title 1 Family Involvement Activity.

The festival will involve games, treats, a dance party, art projects, a scavenger hunt, a cookie walk, photo booths, an art and craft show, a pumpkin walk and a story walk. All activities are free, and everyone is welcome to come! Kids are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, but if they don’t they can just come along and enjoy the fun.

BSE Title 1 teacher Pam Barry said this is not the first time the festival has occurred, but it is the first one in two years.

¨We hope to have one every year!¨ she said.

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By Monika Spaulding, Writer

The fifth grade students at Bradie Shrum Elementary School will present a Veterans Day program, “The Brave” on Monday, November 11 at 9 a.m. in the school’s multi-purpose room. The program will include patriotic music, inspirational messages from students, and a slideshow containing photos of veterans related to students and staff at BSE. Several students will be sharing personal tributes to family veterans. Sergeant Noah Cobb will be the speaker. Mr. Cobb is currently in the Indiana Army National Guard C Troop 1-152 and is a fifth grade teacher at Bradie Shrum Elementary. Salem Boy Scout Troop 4029 will present colors at the program.

All veterans, current members of the military, and members of the community are invited to attend this event as we salute our brave American heroes. The fifth grade classes at Bradie Shrum are looking forward to presenting their program.

For more information regarding the program, contact Andrea Gorman by calling (812) 883-3700 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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By Monika Spaulding, Writer

Hoping to better educate students on how the government works in the United States of America, the state of Indiana is requiring schools to go over the election process and the importance of a democratic society leading up to the November 5 general election.

As part of the process, the history/social studies department at Salem High School has created five-days of lessons for teachers to present during homeroom over the next week. All students at Salem Community Schools, grades 6-12, will sit through lessons about this topic.

“These lessons were designed to equip our students at SHS with the knowledge to actively participate in our democracy, recognize the responsibilities of citizenship and make informed choices that shape the future of our country,” said Principal Luke Dean.

Lessons that will be discussed include: systems of government in Indiana and the United States, methods of voting, party structures, election laws and the responsibility of citizens to vote.

“It is important that we not only prepare our students to be successful after school with their own personal endeavors, but also know what civic responsibility they have in shaping the future for generations to come,” SHS Assistant Principal Nick Karr said. “Our students are in the stage of life where they define their beliefs and ideals that will only continue to become more relevant in the future, and it is extremely important that they understand the privilege and responsibility they have in participating in our democracy.”

Superintendent Jill Mires said this is not only a responsibility, but a great opportunity to educate students and prepare them to be active in the election process and democracy as a whole.

“They will learn more about how our government works, the importance of voting and the impact that they will make on their own community and our nation,” she said. “But what makes this even more exciting is our teachers collaborated together to develop these lessons which will be delivered to all students in all classrooms in grades 6-12.”