by Emmy Kirkham
New Prairie is celebrating its 50th anniversary, looking back on how New Carlisle and Rolling Prairie were combined, traditions they have built over the years, and improvements made to the school.
New Carlisle and Rolling Prairie High Schools combined in 1968, around the time many rural schools were combined with other nearby schools. Dana Groves, Executive Director of Historic New Carlisle, believes it was more of a financial decision combining resources and it made sense with enrollment.
During current sporting events, New Prairie has rivals with schools such as LaPorte and Andrean. Back before 1968, New Carlisle and Rolling Prairie High Schools had a strong rival. They had to become partners instead of rivals when the schools consolidated.
Brenda Moffitt, a former Olive Elementary teacher and New Carlisle High School student, described the transition as very difficult. She said it was more difficult for the communities to blend together because they had been rivals for so long. It was challenging for them because their loyalties were still with their previous schools.
Teachers and staff have continued to support the students through their academics throughout the years. Moffitt explained how her teachers were her biggest influence throughout high school.
“I had some teachers that really caused me to be a better teacher and taught me the fact that academics were so important,” Moffitt said. “It’s important to me to have those relationships.”
Jeff Suttor, who has been teaching at New Prairie for 28 years, explained traditions that have stuck with the school over the years. A few included the chant that Steve Wade brought to the school and the cross country invitational.
“I just like the tradition of maintaining a small school atmosphere when we continue to grow,” Suttor said. “I just think since I’ve been out here a tradition with the staff is they’re making students the highest priority.”
Marcy Kauffman, a 1975 graduate of New Prairie explained how toga day has remained a tradition.
“It originally started as an event for Latin Club,” Kauffman said. “Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, Latin was taught and Latin Club was very popular.”
Having the marching band march through the halls playing the school song on game day has been around since 1969.
Although New Prairie has kept numerous traditions, improvements were inevitable as time went on. Along with the current construction, academic improvements have been made.
“There are many more choices for the students to make decisions on what they want to do with their futures,” Moffitt explained. “I think New Prairie gives a good background for kids to pick from so they could make good decisions.”
New Prairie not only gave college bound students opportunities, they also started to provide students going straight to the workforce opportunities to strive after high school.
“New Prairie has shown its support of foundational programs, such as building trades, automotive, and agriculture,” Kauffman stated. “I believe New Prairie is a quality school system because it provides a variety of career interest opportunities.”
Groves added “I think New Prairie has improved the most in offering so many opportunities for students to explore their interests. There are so many more courses, vocational programs, and organizations than when I went to school.”
Suttor said the school has made some great hires and there is currently the best principal duo he has seen during the time he has been teaching.
Academics are the main focus for the school, yet athletics have also been important to the school and community.
“New Prairie has always had really strong communities and parental backings in their athletics and band,” Moffitt explained.
Suttor also stated his favorite memories are sporting events. He enjoyed seeing the cross country team become state runners-up. Groves said the most memorable sporting event at New Prairie was when the football team went down to state.
“It was an amazing experience for the entire community making the trip down to Indy,” Groves said. “My son was a ball boy at the time and even got a ring like the rest of the team.”
New Prairie has had many events to celebrate their 50th anniversary, including a 50th anniversary dinner and an alumni night at a football game. As the year goes on, the school will continue to celebrate their accomplishments.