Mishawaka High School hosts a “Show and Tell” event

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – Mishawaka High School hosted an information event on Thursday night for incoming eighth-graders and their parents to learn about the opportunities available for the Cavemen.

The event was a “21st Century Show and Tell” that allowed Mishawaka to showcase the activities and programs the school offers its students.

Eighth graders from local middle schools, with their parents, were invited to attend in order to “put incoming freshmen at ease at a time that can be very stressful for them and for their families,” according to Superintendent of School City of Mishawaka Wayne Barker.

Attendees were able to meet many current students, as well as some teachers, and ask them about their experiences.

Different student-lead presentations were offered every 15 minutes throughout the school, each showing off another aspect of life as a Caveman.

Members of the choir, drama, and band performed in a newly renovated auditorium. Some students built a high-mileage vehicle intended for state and national competitions, others created award-winning works in the MEF Digital Arts Lab, while culinary arts students prepared the treats for the event.

Another program highlighted at the event was the Early College Program, which requires students to have a 2.5 GPA and at least a 90% attendance rate in middle school in order to participate.

Last spring, Mishawaka became the first St. Joseph County school endorsed as an Early College High School.

This means that the students who are a part of the Early College Program can earn college credits while still in high school.

Rachel Gomez is a senior at Mishawaka High School and a member of the college program. She said that, in the program, "we take a lot of dual credit courses which allow us to receive college credits that can transfer to any college in Indiana."

Many students who participated in the program last year earned enough transferable credits to enroll in college as a sophomore after graduation, saving them approximately $500,000 in college tuition costs.