Northwood's Panther Pride is displayed in the academic, athletic and musical accomplishments of the school.

But some of those activities are at risk -- because of layoffs in the Elkhart County RV industry.

Students and staff meantime are trying to stay positive.

With parents losing their jobs and shrinking funds from the RV manufacturing base, Northwood students have a lot on their minds.

"Kids walking down the hallway, you can tell that something is wrong. But the teachers and staff here are really compassionate about helping the students," said one student.

The Northwood staff is aware of family struggles.

"We do know of situations where Mom and Dad are maybe out of the area right now looking for jobs while their sons and daughters are staying with friends. We know of a few cases where kids unfortunately are needing to sleep in a car at night time to stay warm," says Principal Dave Maugel.

"What our community didn't realize it's going to have to make our kids grow up quicker," explains Guidance Councilor Angela Clark.

The communities of Nappanee and Wakarusa have a unique perspective of tough times.

With the RV industry in trouble, and families still recovering from last year's tornado.

"We faced two tornadoes. We faced a natural tornado a year ago, and now we have this one, that's an economic tornado," says Maugel.

The principal says this economic tornado is different.

It is hard to see an end in sight and the damage is already cutting deep.

"The school itself is reliant on the manufacturing through this tax base through donations, most of our extra curricular events have to have some form of fundraising, to be able to function at the level they are functioning."

Despite the overwhelming negative news, Maugel is positive, "One of the things I keep telling myself is as tough as it is, this place knows how to survive. It won't fail because there are too many people who won't let it fail."

"In the end, I think we're going to come out of this stronger. But, it's definitely a living and learning experience."

"That this all turns around and when we're out of college, we can get a good job, raise children without having to worry about everyday expenses and not being able to make ends meet."

Big hopes from a small school, facing uncertain times.

Several college-bound students are helped each year with the "dollar for scholars" program.

It is a scholarship fund traditionally supported by the RV industry, but the staff says those funds will not be there this year.