Elementary Academic Team
Congratulations to Wilson Elementary, named the 2025 GCCS Academic Team Champions. Northaven Elementary earned second place, and Thomas Jefferson Elementary finished third following a spirited district-wide competition hosted at Jeffersonville High School.

Chess Achievements
Thanks to the leadership of Coach Paul Washington, 37 students from Thomas Jefferson, Utica, Northaven, and Franklin Square Elementary Schools participated in the district’s Elementary School Chess Tournament. Team rankings placed Thomas Jefferson first, Utica second, and Northaven third. Individual honors were awarded to Declan Spaulding, who placed first with a perfect 4–0 record, and Jace Derricott, who also achieved a 4–0 record and placed second based on tiebreakers.

Robotics & Engineering
Jonathan Jennings Elementary and Parkview Middle School were named the 2025 Robotics Champions following an exciting district-wide competition held in February. The event began with hands-on coaching workshops led by students from the University of Louisville. The success of the event was made possible through the coordination of Mrs. Laura Morris, with additional support from district coaches, volunteers, and the Greater Clark Educational Foundation.

Leadership, Innovation & Everyday Heroes
Jeffersonville High School JROTC
The Jeffersonville High School Air Force JROTC program had an outstanding year. The unit earned top rankings during its first physical training competition of the school year, placing first in the 208-yard relay, one-mile relay, endurance, and volleyball events. The team also secured second-place finishes in the football relay, basketball, and “silly games.” Later in the year, the program received an “Exceeds Standards” rating during its annual unit assessment—the highest rating possible—reflecting the dedication of Colonel Bob Benning, Master Sergeant Manley, and the cadet corps.

Two cadets were honored for individual excellence. Cadet Evan Cooper, a graduating senior, received both the JROTC Patriot Award and the title of Most Distinguished Cadet of the Year from the Louisville Armed Forces Committee. These honors ranked him as the top senior JROTC cadet among all military branches at 16 schools in Southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky. He was scheduled to be recognized at a banquet and to receive a commemorative plaque and a $1,000 scholarship. During his time at Jeffersonville High School, he served as Cadet Corps Commander, participated in the Drill Team, Color Guard, and Academic Bowl Team, and completed over 215 hours of community service.

Cadet Blake Russell, a rising senior, was named Air Force JROTC Cadet of the Year for Region 3. This recognition placed him among the top junior cadets in the country and among 199 schools in the region. He was selected to receive a plaque and formal recognition from the Air Force JROTC Regional Director. Serving as Cadet Corps Commander, Cadet Russell participated in the Drill Team, Color Guard, Physical Training Team, and Academic Bowl Team. He completed more than 250 hours of community service during his three years in the program.

“These two young leaders represent the very best of our JROTC program and the values of service, integrity, and excellence that we strive to instill in all cadets,” said Jeffersonville High School’s Senior Aerospace Science Instructor, Colonel (Ret.) Bob Benning. “Their achievements bring great pride to our school and community.”

Everyday Heroes Recognized
Greater Clark County Schools proudly recognized second-grade student Rhett Dickerson and cafeteria monitor Brittnie Cravens at New Washington Elementary for their heroic actions. When fellow student Hunter Goforth began choking during lunch, Rhett immediately called for help, alerting Mrs. Cravens, who performed the Heimlich maneuver and successfully cleared the obstruction. Thanks to their quick thinking and composure, Hunter made a full recovery.

Greater Clark County Schools proudly celebrated several staff and leadership recognitions during the 2024–2025 school year, highlighting the commitment and excellence demonstrated across the district.

In November, Jeremy Shireman, Principal of Parkwood Elementary, was named the District 12 Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Principals. This recognition reflected his outstanding leadership and continued dedication to student achievement and school improvement.

The district also honored three exceptional individuals for their service and impact: Nicole Grayson of Charlestown High School was named Classified Employee of the Year; Adrienne Bach of Charlestown Middle School was named Administrator of the Year; and Crystal Merrifield of River Valley Middle School was named Teacher of the Year.

The IHSAA Education Champion Award honors educators who make a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of student-athletes by fostering strong connections and supporting both academic and personal growth.

Also recognized this year was Chad Gilbert, Athletic Director at Charlestown High School, who was named the IHSAA Athletic Director of the Year. This prestigious honor reflected Mr. Gilbert’s outstanding leadership and steadfast commitment to excellence in Pirate athletics. His continued influence has elevated athletic programs and positively impacted students, coaches, and the broader school community.

Greater Clark County Schools proudly launched Southern Indiana’s first Dual Language Immersion Program at Parkwood Elementary during the 2025–2026 school year. This innovative initiative provides students with a bilingual, biliterate, and globally competitive education from the beginning of their academic journey.

The program follows an 80/20 instructional model, with kindergarten students receiving 80% of their instruction in Spanish and 20% in English. By third grade, instruction transitions to a balanced 50/50 split between both languages.

The Dual Language Immersion Program is designed to enhance cognitive development, strengthen problem-solving and critical thinking skills, improve memory and focus, and boost multitasking abilities—skills shown to support long-term academic and professional success.

Enrollment is still open to incoming kindergarten students who plan to remain at Parkwood Elementary through fifth grade. Greater Clark County Schools extends sincere appreciation to the Clarksville Council for helping make this vision a reality.

Charlestown High School’s Winter Guard earned top honors by placing 1st in Regional A2 at Floyd Central. Their outstanding performance showcased the dedication, discipline, and talent of the team, and the district proudly recognized their achievement. Congratulations to the students and coaches for their hard work and continued excellence.

Greater Clark County Schools also extended recognition to the Jeffersonville High School Music Department, which received the Total Department All-Music Award—one of only 22 schools statewide to earn this prestigious distinction. This award reflects the commitment of both students and directors to maintaining a high standard of musical performance across all ensembles.

Jayden Berkley of Jeffersonville High School was named WDRB Player of the Week for his outstanding athletic performance during the season.

Jeff High senior Kaylea Beauchamp completed a perfect 30–0 season and competed at the Girls State Finals at Corteva Coliseum in the 135 lb weight class. Under the guidance of Coaches Joe Somerville and Danny Struck, Kaylea dominated the conference, sectional, and semi-state rounds. Her achievements were especially meaningful, as this year marked the first official season of sanctioned girls wrestling in the state of Indiana.

Senior Shawn Boyd of Jeffersonville High School was named the 2025 Arthur L. Trester Mental Attitude Award recipient for Class 4A Boys Basketball—one of the most prestigious honors awarded by the IHSAA. As team captain, Shawn led the Red Devils to sectional, regional, and semi-state titles before helping clinch the state championship. He also played an active role in student life, including his work on the WJHI student broadcast team.

Principal Pam Hall stated,

“Shawn Boyd perfectly embodies the spirit of a student-athlete at Jeffersonville High School. His outstanding academic record, exemplary citizenship, and well-rounded character made him an ideal candidate for recognition. While Jeffersonville High School already knew Shawn deserved the Trester Mental Attitude Award, we are thrilled to see the State of Indiana acknowledge the fine young man he is and how well he represents our school.”

“Shawn Boyd is everything you want in a student-athlete. He is a high-achieving student, excels on the court, is a great teammate, and is highly respected in our community. He showed tremendous mental toughness during an injury that sidelined him his junior year, and his attitude and leadership through that setback were exemplary. Shawn will be successful in anything he chooses because of the person he is and the man he is becoming. I can think of no one more deserving of the Trester Mental Attitude Award.”