By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Warsaw Adult Education wants to get the word out more about the key service it plays in the community that could benefit nearly 10,000 people in Kosciusko County.

WAE provides services to Kosciusko and Fulton counties and is paid through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (not local tax dollars).

Services include overseeing the high school equivalency testing, English Language Learning, and career training and certification.

Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert describes WAE as a key pipeline for local workforce development.

Leo Patino became director two years ago and said he wants to put the program on the map.

"I think Warsaw Adult Ed is like one of the biggest, best-kept secrets in our area,” Patino said Wednesday following a rebranding celebration aimed at getting the word out.

School officials held a ribbon-cutting Wednesday at the high school to celebrate a new logo and the increased effort to put a spotlight on services.

[caption id="attachment_115748" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The ribbon-cutting was held at Warsaw Community High School on Wednesday. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

Patino points out that 12 percent of county adults don't have a high school degree.

“That’s our target market — that 12 percent. In a county of 82,000 people, that’s a little less than 10,000 people,” Patrino said.

But at the same time, state funding was cut this spring as part of statewide efforts to reduce spending, and that's affected the program.

Patino calls the decrease a "hiccup," and said the program remains committed to its mission.

“We still have the sme quality program. We’re going to continue to do the sme quality instruction to adults. We just want more people to be aware of it across Kosciusko County, all across Fulton County,” Patino said.

Thanks to community partners such as Kosciusko County Community Foundation, The Gathering Place, Dollar General Literacy Foundation and Warsaw Community Schools, Patino said they're working to mitigate that impact.

He's also working to line up grant funding opportunities, but admits the program might "look a little different" as the new school year begins Friday.

The WAE website has also added a donation button.

“If there’s anybody who believes in this who saw their son, their daughter, their grandson or themselves go through the program … if they feel obliged to throw us a couple bucks here and there, we’d definitely appreciate the help,” Patino said. 

About 85 people received their high school equivalency this spring. Last year, the number was in the mid-90s, Patino said.

Patino pointed to a 66-year-old man who recently graduated and has become a peer recovery coach with Bowen Health.

"He dropped out of high school, had some addiction issues, and worked the rest of his life and then retired and said, 'Now what?' Patino recalled. "He wanted to give back to his community. And that’s the kind of people we are seeing. Students who want to give back to the community.”

To learn more, check out the WAE page on the school district website.

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WARSAW — Warsaw Adult Education celebrated a major milestone on Friday, June 20, as 85 adult learners from Kosciusko and Fulton counties received their high school equivalency diplomas in a moving graduation ceremony held at the Warsaw Performing Arts Center.

When asked about the success, Director of the program Leo Patiño said, “There is no secret sauce; our teachers are the rockstars that helped us hit our amazing numbers this year. They are able to connect with students in a way that is conducive to their learning style.”

[caption id="attachment_114222" align="alignright" width="350"] Photo provided.[/caption]

The ceremony also honored students from the English Language Learning (ELL) program, with representation from all six levels of language proficiency. Their recognition highlighted the diverse paths of learning that adult education supports across the region.

The ELL program had seen lower success in previous years, but after implementing changes and adding a couple teachers, they saw their success almost triple. Leo stated, “These students are hungry for knowledge and opportunities. Our teachers were able to get 80% of our students to grow in proficiency, which puts us as one of the top programs in the state!”

Distinguished guests in attendance included Dr. David Hoffert, Superintendent of Warsaw Community Schools; School Board President Heather Reichenbach; Board Members Denny Duncan, Matt Deuel, and Tom Westerhof; Assistant Superintendent Tracy Horrell; and Director of Human Resources Steven Boyer.

Also joining the celebration were Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith, Dr. JoAnne Alvarez (Vice Chancellor of Ivy Tech Kosciusko County), and keynote speaker Dr. Jerry Haffner, former District Director of Adult Education for the State of Indiana.

In his keynote address, Dr. Haffner praised Indiana as a national leader in adult education services and encouraged graduates to “never give up and keep on learning.” Dr Haffner also highlighted a few of the graduates in attendance.

A question was sent to graduates prior to the ceremony. The question was, "What has being a part of Warsaw Adult Education meant to me and my family?" The answers were heartfelt and appreciative, but most of all, the responses had a sense of pride and optimism for future opportunities.

Warsaw Adult Education extends deep gratitude to its many partners, including Warsaw and Rochester schools, local nonprofits, and community organizations,s whose support makes adult education possible. Look for their new logo as they unveiled a rebranding initiative for the next program year.

For those interested in enrolling in a high school equivalency or ELL class, please visit our Warsaw Adult Ed page, warsawschools.org/o/wae or text 574-216-3636 to learn more.

[caption id="attachment_114223" align="aligncenter" width="975"] A view of the commencement stage. Photo provided.[/caption]

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WARSAW — The Warsaw Adult Education held a graduation ceremony on June 23 for 43 students who completed their High School Equivalency Exam during the past school year.

Dora Schmucker opened the ceremony with the Invocation while Brian Shepherd delivered a commencement address.

The keynote speaker was Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer who challenged the students to discover and pursue their passion and then obtain the necessary advanced training to reach that goal.

Various Warsaw Community School Board members shook hands with each graduate as they crossed the stage. Rep. Craig Snow and Sheriff Jim Smith were also on hand to congratulate the graduates, according to a provided news release.

The program assisted 91 students seeking to earn their HSE during the recent school year.  The success rate for the students was 52%. No other Adult Education Program in the state of Indiana performed at a higher level than did Warsaw Adult Education, according to the release.

Warsaw Adult Education is indebted to:

• The local Boy Scout Troop who “presented the Colors”

• The Kosciusko County Community Foundation for the grant that allowed WAE to purchase needed items for the ceremony

• Warsaw Community Schools (Lori Owens and Leonard Gagnon) for the use of the WCHS Performing Arts Center

• Bill Bailey for his excellent photography work.

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