Jimtown High School

Kiwanis Athletes of the Year from Jimtown were Ty Zartman and Tru Whitaker. Both were recognized for their achievements in athletics, academics, and service. Congratulations to both! There achievements were many. You can read about them below: Ty Zartman is a Senior the son of Seth and Anitra Zartman. Ty has played football and baseball for Jimtown and even has helped our girls' basketball program in practices. He has been the team captain for both baseball and football his Junior and Senior seasons. In football, Ty led the team in touchdowns and rushing yards the past two years. He was a part of football's conference championships this year as well as NIC champs his Freshman and Sophomore year. He was 2nd team all conference his sophomore year and first team as a Junior and Senior in Football. He was all state as a Senior for football. Ty had 1,710 yards rushing on 212 carries. (7.5 yard per carry average). He had 16 touchdowns and 2 receptions for 22 yards this past season. He also led the team in tackles with 53 and has 2 interceptions and 5 pass break ups on the year. In baseball, he was a big part of our conference championship this past season and was part of our first Sectional Championship team since 2007. He is a gold glove outfielder for Jimtown. He has a 319 career batting average. With a 458 on base percentage. He has 36 career steals. He also excels in the classroom with a 3.95 GPA and is 24th out of 144. He has received honor roll all four years while at Jimtown high school. He was our homecoming king this past year and well as Prom king. He also volunteers with the our school blood drive, teaching at his church St. Mark’s Missionary children’s ministry, Gymtown Pantry, Baugo Food Drive, Transformation Ministries in South Bend, Feed my Starving Children, Operation Christmas Child, Mission trips to Ecuador, and All 4 Alice Toys for Tots. He participates in many clubs at school like Hope Squad, National Honors Society, Fellowship of Christian Students. He has helped at the community clean up at Jimtown Park. He has worked 2 years at RC outdoor doing landscaping. In the winter, he has worked at Baugo Ferrettie Park on the sled hill. He is in an apprenticeship program at school currently with Hoosier Crane and would like to continue his career there as a Hoist and Service Repair Specialist which he will start next Monday. Coach Vincent said this about Ty,” Ty Zartman is everything you want in a student-athlete and more. He’s a natural, but you’d never hear it from him - he’s as humble as they come. Whether it’s on the field, in the weight room, or in the classroom, Ty gives his best and makes everyone around him better. He leads the right way - not by talking, but by showing up, working hard, and doing things the right way every time. He’s the kind of guy you can always count on, and he treats everyone with respect. Ty’s also a strong Christian young man who stays true to his values no matter what. Simply put, Ty is the kind of kid every coach wants and every teammate respects. He’s the perfect example of what it means to be a Jimmie, and he absolutely deserves to be the Kiwanis Athlete of the year. Coach Squibb added about Ty, “I am proud of Ty Zartman being recognized as the Kiwanis Athlete of the year. I’ve had the pleasure of coaching Ty for only one year, during which he has been the starting Center Fielder, an undeniable leader on and off the field, and a bridge between the new coaching staff and the players. Ty is the heart of our team and his work ethic is unmatched, and his leadership is evident in everything he does. He leads by example, consistently gives maximum effort, and holds his teammates accountable in the most respectful and effective ways. His presence in centerfield brings calm and confidence to the team. Beyond his athletic ability, Ty’s character stands out. He is mature, responsible, and a true role model. He represents everything that is right about high school athletics and is the true epitome of what it means to be a “Jimtown Jimmie.” Tru Whitaker is a Senior at Jimtown High School and is the daughter of Joshua and Megan Whitaker.Tru has been a part of our track, soccer, basketball programs during her time at Jimtown. Tru is a leader in all she does - being Captain in both soccer and track since her sophomore year - she has been team captain for 6 sports’ seasons. She has lettered in 9 seasons. In Soccer, she was first team all conference as a Junior and Senior and Honorable mention in track for the 4 by 800. She was named Academic all conference and all state as well. Tru is a winner. In soccer, she has helped her team win multiple conference championships and has been a part of the winningest team and class in school history. She has also been a valuable member of every team she has played for, shown by the awards she has received. Basketball - triple a award (academics, attitude, and athletics voted on by her coaches) - Mental attitude in soccer her freshman and senior year in soccer. Mental Attitude in track her freshman year. Pride/spike and hammer award her Junior year in track. She is also top in the classroom - 4.22 gpa ranked 3rd in her class of 122. She has received high honor roll at every grading period. She will graduate with a technical and academic honors diploma. Tru is busy and gives of her time - leads the track adopt a family, student council 4 years and 3 as the president, NHS for 2 years and co-led adopt a family both her Junior and Senior year, Baugo buddies (mentorship) for 2 years, Hope Squad 4 years, basketball coach for the JBL K-2 league for 2 years, JBL intramurals for 2 years, JYFL assistant coach for a year, volunteers at Feed the Children for 4 years, and Gymtown pantry. She helps as an apprentice at Jimtown Intermediate in third grade. She also babysits. Coach Fairchild says of Tru, "Tru has always been someone her teammates could look up to as she has been co-captain of the soccer team since her sophomore year. Her mental attitude, toughness, and ability to adapt for the team was displayed in every outing. Not only did the team see it, but our conference as well, as she was named 1st team All-Conference Junior and Senior year. I know Tru to perform amazingly in the classroom as this is not the only award she has been awarded over the years, and I am very excited to see what her future holds. She will certainly succeed in anything she puts her mind to and I am honored to have coached such an outstanding young woman." Coach Kerrn adds about Tru, "It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend Tru Whitaker for the Kiwanis Award. Tru exemplifies the values of leadership, athletic excellence, and what being a good human being is all about every single day. She embodies exactly what it means to be a Jimtown Jimmie and will always bleed maroon and gold. As a standout athlete, Tru consistently demonstrates discipline, teamwork, and perseverance both on and off the field. Her dedication to her teammates and coaches along with her commitment to personal growth make Tru a role model for her peers. Tru is involved in just about every single club/organization at Jimtown and is genuinely an extension of the coaches and staff with everything she is a part of. With all of Tru's involvement in the school and community, I have never coached anyone through 14 individual seasons that is more worthy of this honor."