GreatNews.Life Student Voices: A Big Week at Boone Grove: Championships, Competition, and Community          

What’s Recently Happened?

Women’s sports at Boone Grove have continued to see major success recently, with state championships, first-place finishes, and strong preseason preparation highlighting the past few weeks. Several programs have stepped up in big moments, showing the depth and talent across Boone Grove athletics.

The Boone Grove Varsity Girls Bowling team earned its second state championship in school history, led by individual state champion Morgan Morales. In a close and exciting final, the Wolves defeated the North High School Huskies — who were state runner-ups this year and last year — by just three pins, 345–342. The narrow win showed the team’s focus and determination in one of the most competitive matches of the season.

The Boone Grove Varsity Dance team also found success at the Porter County Conference Cheer and Dance Competition. The team took home first place in the Hip-Hop category and earned third place in the Pom category. Their strong finishes reflected the hard work and preparation they’ve put in throughout the season.

At the same competition, the Boone Grove Varsity Cheer team placed second in the Traditional Cheer category. Their performance added another top finish for Boone Grove and continued the trend of success for the school’s winter athletic programs.

The Boone Grove Varsity Girls Tennis team has officially started preseason practices as they prepare for regular season play in April. With practices underway, the team is beginning to build momentum heading into the spring season.

This has been an exciting stretch for women’s sports at Boone Grove, with championships earned, strong performances recognized, and new seasons just getting started.

What’s Coming Up?

It’s a packed weekend for the Boone Grove Varsity Boys Basketball team. With a 10–9 record, they travel to crosstown conference rival, the 11–7 Hebron Hawks, for their final conference game of the season. Since 2005, the Wolves hold an 18–16 record against the Hawks, adding even more intensity to an already competitive matchup. With conference placement and bragging rights on the line, the game carries extra importance as both teams close out conference play. There is also a chance the two teams could meet again in sectional play, which would make Friday night’s contest even more electrifying.

In other news, the Boone Grove Choir Department will send five ensembles and nine soloists to the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) State Competition this Saturday after strong performances at the district level earlier this year. The district competition served as the qualifier for state, and Boone Grove delivered impressive results, earning 100 gold medals and 20 silver medals overall. The choir qualified five out of six ensembles and nine out of 20 soloists for the state competition.

At state, the qualifying ensembles will perform selections including “Psallite, Unigenito,” “Ride the Chariot,” “Poor Man Lazarus,” “This Little Babe,” and “South African Suite.” With such strong success at districts, the Boone Grove Choir Department looks to carry that momentum into the state competition this weekend.

Staff Spotlight:

Nancy Baur is a well-known and appreciated member of Boone Grove High School’s staff, serving as both a custodian and a bus driver. In her six years as a custodian at BGHS, Baur has built a reputation as a hardworking, dependable, and kind presence in the building. Many students and staff lovingly refer to her as “Ms. Nancy,” a reflection of the strong connections she has formed throughout the school community.

Baur says she truly appreciates her role as part of the support staff. 

“I enjoy making sure the students have a clean place to learn. When I drive, I make sure they are safe,” said Baur. 

Whether she is helping maintain the school during the day or transporting students after hours, Baur takes pride in knowing she plays a part in their daily success.

In addition to her custodial duties, Baur frequently drives athletic teams and other school groups to competitions, events, and trips. Students and staff alike admire her reliability and positive attitude, especially during long travel days.

“I enjoy being with the kids and seeing them all achieve their goals,” Baur said.

Choir Director Athena Welbourne echoed that appreciation.

“She is the most reliable person and source of transportation,” Welbourne said. “She also comes in to support the kids. She always congratulates them, watches them, cheers for them, and she even wears her choir shirt whenever she drives or comes to our events. She drives us to State and Six Flags, so she’s always the first one to say, ‘Yes, I will definitely do it,’ because she’s really supportive.”

Whether she is cleaning classrooms, driving a bus, or cheering from the stands, Baur continues to make a lasting impact at Boone Grove. Her dedication and kindness make her an important part of the school community.

Student Spotlight:

Lindsey Ruthkay, a junior at Boone Grove High School, exemplifies what it means to be a well-rounded student. As captain of the dance team, Ruthkay also participates in tennis, band, Student Council, Key Club, National Honor Society, and the History Academic team. Outside of school, she teaches and continues her training at United Dance Arts.

“I have danced since I was 3 and always loved it,” Ruthkay said. “I knew it would be my next step into high school.”

Her dedication extends beyond extracurricular activities. Ruthkay maintains an impressive 4.0 GPA, earning her a spot on the History Academic team.

“History is my favorite subject and the subject I thrive the most in, so I couldn’t say no,” Ruthkay said. “I also get to do it with one of my close friends, Delayne Cook, and it is a very cool bonding experience.”

This year, Ruthkay has stayed especially busy as tennis and academic team seasons begin, while also celebrating a major achievement with the dance team. The team recently won the Porter County Conference (PCC) Dance Competition in the Hip-Hop category — an accomplishment that held special meaning for Ruthkay as captain.

“Sometimes, it can be really hard balancing schoolwork and extracurricular activities, but I have learned to use my time as wisely as I can anywhere I can,” Ruthkay said. “If I have free time in between classes at dance, I do homework. If I finish work in one class, I start on other classes. I also write down what we did in each class every day to make sure I get all of my assignments done on time. It consists of a lot of late nights, but it is so worth it.”

In the classroom, Ruthkay’s favorite courses are Chemistry II with Troy Janesheski and U.S. History with John Chant.

“I enjoy these classes because not only are they fun, but the dynamic between students and teachers is great,” she said. “We are all so close. Considering we’ve been in classes together since sixth grade or younger, it is so cool to watch your peers grow as students and as people.”

Beyond academics and athletics, Ruthkay values the relationships she has built at Boone Grove. She especially enjoys seeing her friends at school and talking with her tennis coach, who is also a teacher at BGHS, Tony Tauber.

When asked what advice she would give to other high school students, Ruthkay kept her message simple.

“Have fun. No matter what we are doing in life, we have the opportunity to just live and do what we want — take advantage of that to the fullest,” said Ruthkay.

Ruthkay would like to give a special shoutout to her tennis coach Tony Tauber, along with her dance coaches Sharon Kimes, Paige Wisher, and Piper Kimes.