WINCHESTER, Ind. – Winchester Community High School is celebrating one of their own. This month, Madelyn Hines was named National Female Youth Leader of the Year by the National Youth Council.

The award recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills, academic excellence, and a strong commitment to serving their community. Hines received the honor at the Town Meeting on Tomorrow in St. Louis, Missouri.

The recognition underscores Hines’ commitment to leadership and community service.

WCHS Principal Karla Reed said Hines is a great leader at school and deserving of this recognition. 

"She is a top tier student, an officer in several school organizations, and a leader in the community through her church.  Maddie is the kind of student you want younger children to be around as a mentor.  We are so pleased she was chosen as this award winner and look forward to seeing what she accomplishes the rest of the year and as she heads off to college!" Reed said.

RICHMOND, Ind. - Richmond High School students now have a clearer pathway to college, due to a newly established partnership between Richmond Community Schools and Indiana University East.

The program, which officially launched on Friday, October 18, provides eligible students with direct admission to IU East. This is a move school leaders believe will have a lasting impact on student success and college readiness. 

"We are confident this program will have a substantial positive impact on our students," said Samuel Pritchard, Assistant Superintendent at Richmond Community Schools.

The partnership was established through a collaborative meeting between leadership teams from both institutions. IU East was represented by Dr. Jerry Wilde, Ethan Tauscher, and Brian Thomas. This team met with Richmond Community Schools officials, including Superintendent Dr. Wright, RHS Principal Rae Woolpy, and members of the counseling and administrative teams.

"This program offers significant benefits to our students in two key areas," said Pritchard. "It encourages students to proactively consider their post-secondary pathways."

Pritchard also said direct admission provides students with a concrete post-secondary option, demonstrating that multiple pathways and opportunities exist for them after leaving RHS. 

The program targets RHS sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. On launch day, 545 eligible students received direct admission letters from IU East. 

The support doesn't stop at the admission letters. Pritchard said ongoing communication continues between IU East and RCS administration in support of students' future planning. Students also have access to IU East admissions staff who can discuss higher education opportunities as well as other collegiate options and workforce readiness. 

"IU East is committed to ongoing communication with RCS and RHS administration to support students' future planning," he said.

In addition to this pathway, RHS already offers 26 dual credit courses, with opportunities beginning as early as ninth grade. Middle school students can take high school credit courses, allowing them more flexibility to pursue advanced or technical education during high school.

Looking ahead, Pritchard said the district is excited about the possibilities of this partnership. Right now, their focus remains on making the most of this opportunity for Richmond students.

"We're grateful to IU East for extending this opportunity to our students," he said. "This inaugural event was just the beginning, and we're already developing plans to deepen and expand this relationship in the years to come."

RICHMOND, Ind. - Local school districts in eastern Indiana and western Ohio have welcomed new leadership over the past year, marking a period of transition and renewed direction for public education in the region. 

In Wayne County, Kelly Plank was approved as the new superintendent of Western Wayne Schools in July 2025. She replaced the position of Andy Stover, who resigned to take a position at Fayette County School Corp. Plank previously served as the director of curriculum and instruction for Northeastern Wayne Schools.

Across the state line in Ohio, Eaton Community Schools saw a change in leadership as Scott Couch officially took over as superintendent on Aug. 1, 2025, following the retirement of longtime superintendent Jeff Parker. Couch was a former graduate of EHS.

Meanwhile, the National Trail Local School District named Jennifer Couch as superintendent in May 2024. Couch was the middle school principal at National Trail for five years.