Duneland School Board honors Chesterton students and educators with new district awards
March 02, 2026 | Duneland School Corporation, School Boards, Indiana
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The Duneland School Board on March 2 heard presentations recognizing students and staff at Chesterton High School and the launch of a district awards program.
Assistant Principal Tiffany Hawkins told the board the district has formally implemented the "Duneland Awards," an initiative to honor students and staff who "inspire, engage and empower" their school communities. Hawkins named peer mentors—Evan Lindsey, Fatula Earth, Chevy Gersich, Jenna Bircher and Chris Melton—who she said have "made a tremendous impact on student success" by checking in with peers and providing academic support.
Hawkins also credited a group of teachers for supporting students through summer school and SRT (Student Recovery Time), saying those instructors collectively helped a cohort earn 144 credits during summer school and described the cohort's on-track-to-graduate rate as roughly 90 percent after the first semester. Teachers recognized by name included Crystal South, Suzanne Amling, Natalie Kiesmarski, Jen Breitzka, Jacob Lukacs, Brian Henninger, Phil Long, Mark Peterson and Jen Yandjachek.
The assistant principal read additional award categories and recipients, inviting students forward for photographs. Hawkins said the Engage awardees and Empower awardees were singled out for leadership, resilience and contributions to school culture; named students included Lily Zarnt, Braden Fero, Hugh Rasnick, Sofia Perez, Josiah Wilson, Chloe Herbert and Chris Thielen among others.
Board chair remarks also honored athletic achievements at Chesterton High School. The girls swimming and diving team was recognized for conference and sectional championships and for scoring at the state meet; individual swimmers and relay teams were named. The girls bowling team was acknowledged for a third-place finish at the state tournament. In wrestling, the board congratulated Max (state champion at his weight class) and Lucas Anderson (eighth place at state), inviting athletes and coaches to the front of the meeting for recognition.
The presentations occupied much of the meeting's opening, with board members and district staff thanking students, coaches and teachers for their contributions.
The board adjourned the recognition portion and moved on to business items later in the agenda.
Assistant Principal Tiffany Hawkins told the board the district has formally implemented the "Duneland Awards," an initiative to honor students and staff who "inspire, engage and empower" their school communities. Hawkins named peer mentors—Evan Lindsey, Fatula Earth, Chevy Gersich, Jenna Bircher and Chris Melton—who she said have "made a tremendous impact on student success" by checking in with peers and providing academic support.
Hawkins also credited a group of teachers for supporting students through summer school and SRT (Student Recovery Time), saying those instructors collectively helped a cohort earn 144 credits during summer school and described the cohort's on-track-to-graduate rate as roughly 90 percent after the first semester. Teachers recognized by name included Crystal South, Suzanne Amling, Natalie Kiesmarski, Jen Breitzka, Jacob Lukacs, Brian Henninger, Phil Long, Mark Peterson and Jen Yandjachek.
The assistant principal read additional award categories and recipients, inviting students forward for photographs. Hawkins said the Engage awardees and Empower awardees were singled out for leadership, resilience and contributions to school culture; named students included Lily Zarnt, Braden Fero, Hugh Rasnick, Sofia Perez, Josiah Wilson, Chloe Herbert and Chris Thielen among others.
Board chair remarks also honored athletic achievements at Chesterton High School. The girls swimming and diving team was recognized for conference and sectional championships and for scoring at the state meet; individual swimmers and relay teams were named. The girls bowling team was acknowledged for a third-place finish at the state tournament. In wrestling, the board congratulated Max (state champion at his weight class) and Lucas Anderson (eighth place at state), inviting athletes and coaches to the front of the meeting for recognition.
The presentations occupied much of the meeting's opening, with board members and district staff thanking students, coaches and teachers for their contributions.
The board adjourned the recognition portion and moved on to business items later in the agenda.
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