OLSH students are accustomed to heading to the AAC for pep rallies to kick off each athletic season and to celebrate athletic achievements; however, this morning, students, faculty, staff, administration and parents gathered to celebrate a different kind of success – academic achievement. Last year teachers and students in AP English, Computer Science, Physics, Calculus, and World History participated in the AP Teacher Investment Program (AP-TIP IN) with the University of Notre Dame. OLSH teachers attended summer institutes, Notre Dame professionals visited OLSH, and our students had the opportunity to take a scored practice exam. The combination of resources, training, and practice paid off, literally, as students who earned qualifying scores of 3, 4, or 5 on AP exams included in the program received financial incentives for their achievements. 

Mr. Tim Plocinik, school principal, described the assembly as an opportunity to celebrate the school’s “academic muscle” as opposed to its “athletic muscle” for a change. The assembly kicked off with music from the OLSH pep band and the singing of the National Anthem by Maria Yarsky ’19. Mrs. Terry Donoghue, school president welcomed everyone and congratulated all students who have participated in and/or are currently enrolled in AP courses at OLSH. By virtue of their involvement, these students will benefit immensely in post-secondary studies. Then Mrs. Karen Morris, program director for AP-TIP IN at the University of Notre Dame shared some remarks with students, highlighting the high level of success reached by OLSH in the first year of its involvement in the program. After this first year, there was an increase in qualifying scores by 42%, a significant number demonstrating the program’s success. Morris encouraged all students to consider enrolling in an AP course, citing its benefits to all students whether looking at a 4-year or 2-year college or university or a trade or technical school, or the military. Morris was excited to participate in the presentation of checks to students and faculty members who participated in the AP-TIP IN program at OLSH and who received qualifying scores on AP exams.

Made possible by a grant, the AP-TIP IN program awarded $12,200 to the following students and teachers: Dom Cook ’19, Maddie Hoff ’19, Kevin Jones ’19, Krista Kim ’19, Rebekah Kosher ’19, Ryan Massengill ’19, Ashley Norling ’19, Ella Ondercin ’20, Kate Penn ’19, Alex Rudock ’19, Luke Saftner ’19, Julia Sarnowski ’19, Andrew Schnarre ’19, Lindsey Shema ’19, Bethany Smith ’19, Rebecca Voss ’19, and Mrs. Erica Hollabaugh ’04, AP English teacher, Mrs. Paula Vigrass, AP Computer Science teacher, Mr. Mike Schuster, AP Calculus teacher, and Mrs. Andrea Bagnell, AP World History teacher.