Board honors longtime teacher who started Colorado field trip and recognizes Elkhart High School rocket teams that reached nationals

The Elkhart Community Schools Board of Trustees recognized two community achievements May 27: a longtime teacher and the Elkhart High School rocketry teams that qualified for nationals.

The board honored Richard Golden, an Elkhart High School alumnus and former science teacher, for launching a geology field-trip program to Colorado that has continued for roughly 46–47 years. Golden told the board he began the program after conducting overnight backpacking trips with a scout troop and later worked with a colleague to formalize the school proposal; he said the trip gave students opportunities to see geology and national parks firsthand and that he estimates he took roughly 2,000 students over the program’s run.

The board also heard from students who represented Elkhart High School at the American Rocketry Challenge nationals. Natalie Middleton, a senior, said her team’s goal was 815 feet and a target flight time of 41–44 seconds; she said their rocket flew and came down in 43 seconds and that the team placed 62nd of 100. Olivia Eversol, also a senior, described the trip to Virginia for the finals and the range of activities including rocket-building challenges, presentations and demonstrations. The students credited parents, teachers, sponsors and mentors for support and thanked the district for recognition.

Board members praised both Golden and the student teams at the meeting and encouraged continued mentorship of future students. No formal action beyond recognition was taken.