CHESTERTON | James Ton, principal of Chesterton Middle School, has received the Middle School Principal of the Year Award for District I from the Indiana Association of School Principals.

Ton was honored at a banquet last month in Valparaiso.

Ton also is a recipient of the 2008 John W. Vaughn Award for Excellence in Education. He is a past chair of the board of directors of the North Central Association, which accredits schools across the country.

Ton has spent 39 years in education as a teacher, athletic director, guidance counselor and administrator. He holds two master's degrees from Purdue University as well as a bachelor's degree from the University of Indianapolis.

Outside the office, Ton drives the Chesterton Middle School team bus for cross country and track, and he serves as president of the Chesterton Town Council.