One Conversation that Made Me Think…

Every day, the collective staff at Woodward Academy works with students to help them make positive decisions in their life. Whether it be guiding students in phase work, teaching them how to add fractions, or confronting their negative behavior, it can become very easy for these things to become common place and to lose sight of the impact that we have on these students. Over the past 11 years, I have seen a lot of things, yet I am reminded about the work that we do here at Woodward Academy. One of those conversations happened last week.

I was in my office when a student told me how he was frustrated that he was being asked to stay at Woodward Academy for a few months longer. This was a student who had attended WA for about a year and he had been performing well. He is a Knight, active in athletics, and has good relationships with students and staff. But he had it in his mind that he would be able to go home and didn't handle the news the best that he could have. Part of me was sympathetic toward his feelings of wanting to go home because he deserved it.

Read more after the break.

Powerlifting Poster 2015

Here is the official poster for the 2015 Woodward Academy Knights of Iron powerlifting team. The lifters already have 2 meets under their belt this season and have 2 more coming up in preparation for the USAPL High School National Championships, March 27-29 in Milwaukee, WI. This year's team won their second meet (there was no team competition during the first meet) and several lifters have earned individual honors including one who is now the American record holder in the squat and for his three-lift total.

The poster is a combination of individual shots of the lifters with images from practice in the background. If you're an campus, pick up a poster of the team and put March 14 on your calendar to attend Woodward Academy's home meet held in the Knights gymnasium.

Most Combined Points in Iowa High School History // Video

Very rarely do we report on a loss, but the Woodward Academy vs. Earlham game on January 30 set a record for the most combined points scored in a high school game in Iowa history and we thought it was worth noting. The game went into 4 overtimes and accumulated 247 points. The previous record of 245 points was set in 1999 in a 7 overtime game. The Knights were 11-5 going into the game and had already secured a #1 ranking in the upcoming district tournament. The Earlham Cardinals are also a playoff bound team and came into the contest with a 13-2 record.

Earlham led most of the game but the Knights were never out of it. In the final moments of regulation, the Knights pressed more than usual and rattled the Cardinals into turning the ball over and allowed the overtime periods to begin (which is where the video highlights start). A lot of times, over time periods can be sucked up with conservative play, but both teams went on the offensive and it made for a great atmosphere (even though the Knights ended up on the losing side in the 125-121 contest). Woodward Academy was led by Ivan Johnson (#1) who scored 37 points and Dontre English (#3) with 31 points. That amazing tandem has been outstanding lately and scored 66 combined points just a week ago when the Knights defeated a highly regarded Des Moines Christian team.

Home court advantage is something that is often talked about in athletics. If you have a chance to attend a Knights basketball game, you'll be able to see one of the most supportive student bodies in the state. In addition to watching the Knights on the court, check out all of the Knights in the stands as well when you watch the video. Finally, you can see some pictures of the game if you visit our Knight Pics website.

American Powerlifting Record // Video

Julius Walker replicated his 600 pound squat at the Capital City Clash this past weekend in Lincoln, NE and is now the American record holder for his age (15) and weight class (231). The previous record of 551 pounds lasted for nearly a decade before Julius came along. You can see the actual American record squat above. He continued his dominance at the meet with a first place victory and a near American record in the deadlift as well, which will be next on his list of amazing accomplishments for this season. He finished the competition with 1,440 total pounds between the squat, bench press, and deadlift, also an American record.

Even with the amazing accomplishments that the Knights have achieved over the past 10 years (9 team championships, 22 individual National Champions, and 106 qualifiers to Nationals), Julius is having a historic season. Julius and the Knights will travel to Nebraska again in February for a meet at Peru State. They will then lift at their home meet on March 14 before traveling to Milwaukee, WI for the USAPL High School National Championships, March 27-29.

Open House 2015

This summer, Woodward Academy is celebrating its 20th anniversary and you're invited to participate with us during our annual Open House event on July 9. The day will kick off with a 5k run around campus that both staff and students participate in. The day will continue with a combination of food, campus tours, opportunities to meet with students, presentations, and a look back at all of the great things that Woodward Academy has accomplished over the past two decades. Whether you've been to campus multiple times, or never before, it is a great opportunity to see the pride that both students and staff have in being a Knight. So mark your calendars and RSVP by email or calling at:

Chris Koch
chris.koch@sequelyouthservices.com
(515) 438-3142

Here are some videos of what happened in 2014 and 2013.

600 Pound Squat // Video

Have you ever seen a 15 year old squat 600 pounds? Not many people have, but that is exactly what happened when Julius Walker, a lifter on the Woodward Academy Knights powerlifting team, competed at the USAPL Iowa Open this past weekend. After getting his first two lifts, he went for 600 pounds and set a new personal best. He now has his sights set on being the American record holder. For his age group and weight class, the American record is 551 lbs., which he destroyed. But at this event, not all of the judges were certified to award American records, so he'll give it another shot later this year.

The team has been training since November, but this was their first meet of the year. They travel to Lincoln, NE next weekend and Peru State in February. In March, Woodward Academy will host an event on the 14th and it will all lead up to the team traveling to the USAPL High School National Championships, March 27-29. This year, the event is being held in Milwaukee, WI. The Knights have won 9 consecutive team National Championships in the freshman/sophomore division.

Exit Planning at WA

When a student first attends Woodward Academy, the focus is on their behavior and what they had done to get themselves adjudicated. As time goes by, and the student works their program, the focus of what they had done in their past shifts to what they are going to do after they leave campus. Exit planning for students often begins months before the student is actually ready to leave. It can include helping them rebuild relationships with family members, equipping them with problem solving skills for scenarios that may take place, and establishing an academic plan for their arrival. Sometimes students do not return home, but rather go on to live on their own after WA. For these students, exit planning is particularly important to help them get positioned for success. This was the case with Jaime who recently left.

It was anticipated that Jaime would attend Woodward Academy until he discharged into the real world. He was fantastic on campus, a leader in a lot of ways, and he gained many of the benefits that positive Knights receive. Because of his hard work, Jaime accomplished a lot and set himself up for success upon leaving. During his time on campus, Jaime earned his high school diploma, and afterwards worked on campus. As a student worker, he was able to earn a couple thousand dollars that he took with him when he left. He set up a bank account and gained an understanding of how to manage money and use a debit card. He also attended a 30-hour welding class at the Des Moines Area Community College during his stay, which qualified him to be a welding assistant.

When it was time to go, Jaime received some bonus exit planning. Jon Shelness, Educational Liaison at Woodward Academy, drove him to Ohio and together they spent a couple days getting this set up. They visited the Job Corps recruiting office in Columbus as well as the Columbus State Community College where they met with an adviser. They filled out some job applications and together toured the neighborhood to get him acquainted with the area. Whatever happened in his past, Jaime was a great student on campus who exhibited sincerity and a strong work ethic. We are happy to have helped him pave a road toward his bright future.