HANCOCK COUNTY — Eastern Hancock Schools was celebrated for its commitment to community partnerships at the Indiana Work-Based Learning Conference held on Thursday. The event, which is organized by the Institute for Workforce Excellence and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, honors outstanding work-based learning programs and recognizes the educators who facilitate connections between students and local businesses.
According to their website, Work and Learn Indiana (workandlearnindiana.com) is aimed at helping Indiana's employers and community partners cultivate and retain local talent through meaningful work-and-learn experiences. During the awards luncheon, Eastern Hancock Schools received commendations for promoting work-based learning excellence.
Superintendent George Philhower expressed pride over the school's recognition and stated, "We got a notification a few weeks ago telling us this was their biggest award at this event, and we were going to receive it. This was all about community partnerships, and we got this for all of the ways we engage the community and build partnership." Philhower emphasized the importance of these partnerships, as they help students gain valuable experience and connect them with potential employers.
He added, "Businesses are always searching for talented people, and we’ve got lots of talent sitting in our classrooms. The whole idea is to form those work relationships with our community partners." Eastern Hancock Schools continues to lead the way in providing students with work-based learning opportunities, and this recognition highlights the district's commitment to preparing its students for future careers.
Besides educational efforts, the school's sports teams are also gaining momentum, particularly the Hancock basketball team. After previously suffering a significant defeat to Agricultural Science, the team rebounded with enthusiasm on Friday night, overpowering the Universal Stars 50-29. This win marks Hancock's fifth victory out of their last six games, improving their season record to 9-19.
The team's recent success is attributed to their prolific offense, which averaged 54 points during this offensive stretch. Coach Josh Roberts expressed optimism about his team's potential moving forward. Meanwhile, the Universal Stars, now on a three-game losing streak, struggle with their current record of 4-19.
Hancock County's players are gearing up for their next match, which will take place away from home against Argo at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. On the other hand, the Universal Stars will be facing Illinois Lutheran at 7:00 p.m. on Monday.
Adding to the weekend's local athletic highlights, the Hancock County competitive team also battled hard against Breckinridge County. Despite their effort, the team fell short, losing 80-71. Keegan Wilson led the squad with 23 points, showcasing significant potential alongside teammate Dec Lewko, who made three three-pointers to contribute 13 points. Dylan Morris had notable all-around statistics, achieving a triple-double with 12 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Head Coach Josh Roberts praised his team's performance, stating, "We played a solid game and executed on both offense and defense. I am very proud of our energy and poise. Breckinridge County is a great team and has proven it throughout the season by beating top teams in the region. I think anytime you play a district opponent it’s a battle." This insight reflects both the challenges and rewards of competitive sports at the school level.
Through its various programs and initiatives, Eastern Hancock Schools exemplifies dedication not only to academic achievement but also to enhancing students' lives through community engagement and competitive sports.