February 24, 2026 — Current in Carmel

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Founded October 24, 2006, at Carmel, IN Vol. XX, No. 19

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525 North End Dr. Ste. 175 Carmel, IN 46032 317.489.4444

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FEBRUARY

& MARCH DINE IN DEALS!

136th & Meridian or 131st & Towne Rd

MON: 20% off total bill | TUES: 1/2 price bottles of wine SAT: FREE kids meal, dessert or appetizer when you spend $25 or more

Carmel officials respond to residents’

‘real fear’ tied to local ICE facility

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

The Carmel City Council spent much of its Feb. 16 meeting listening to concerns from residents about the impact of an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Office set to open near I-465 and U.S. 31.

Before opening the public comment portion of the meeting, City Council President Matt Snyder said city officials had confirmed ICE would lease private office space in the city for administrative work. He said it would not be used for enforcement efforts or as a detention facility.

has long been known for providing a safe environment for its residents, and she aims to maintain that. She said anything that disrupts a sense of peace is “very unsettling.”

Finkam Snyder

Several residents shared concerns about the ICE facility, including 16-yearold Maaike Mora.

“When an ICE office comes into a community, it changes the atmosphere,” Mora said. “It makes some residents feel like they have to shrink themselves to avoid attention. It makes us frustrated with our look and ethnic background, why it has to be the deciding factor of whether we are a suspect of undocumented status, and it makes us feel powerless in a country where all American people are supposed to be represented and protected by the Constitution.”

Carmel resident Mark Roger acknowledged that the city can’t stop ICE from leasing office space, but he asked leaders to take other steps, such as setting clear policies on when and how the Carmel Police Department can assist the federal agency.

“We can ensure that our police department never contributes to the confusion or the fear, and that’s something that you all can control,” he said.

After public comment concluded, Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam said the city

“As I’ve listened to our community over the last week, I’ve heard strong and sincere views from many perspectives about an immigration office opening right here in Carmel,” Finkam said. “For some, the news brings concern and uncertainty. For others, it brings reassurance and a sense of safety. Both responses are rooted in deeply held values, and both deserve to be respected.”

Finkam said her responsibility as mayor is “not to amplify division but to lead a city where people with different perspectives can still trust one another.”

Several city councilors addressed the issue, as well.

“Our public safety does depend on trust, so that residents can call the police when they need help, that children can attend school without fear, and that doctors can treat all human beings that require care,” Anita Joshi said. “I understand that we have legal limitations, but they do not limit our collective civic responsibility to push back against any abuses of constitutional protections that we all deserve and have.”

Councilor Jeff Worrell encouraged city officials to work together to create a transparent pipeline to share information about the facility with the public.

“We only can respond to what we know to be true, and we have been assured, at least for today, that this is an administrative office without detention, without the other things that are going on in other facilities,” Worrell said. “We have no idea how long that will last. So, how can we as a council create a pipeline of information that is

“When an ICE office comes into a community, it changes the atmosphere. It makes some residents feel like they have to shrink themselves to avoid attention”.

– CARMEL RESIDENT MAAIKE MORA

factual, tempered, reasoned and coming from a source that we can all trust and believe in?”

Snyder said he’s been hearing from residents with various viewpoints in the last week, and he urged Carmel residents to treat their neighbors with respect and civility when discussing the controversial topic, especially when they disagree.

“I’m fully aware that the recent national attention surrounding ICE has heightened fears and sharpened opinions, whether those fears arise from personal experience, national headlines or something in between, is secondary. Fear is real to the person experiencing it, and real fear deserves acknowledgement, not dismissal,” Snyder said. “At the same time, I will not broadly condemn an entire federal agency charged with enforcing laws and protecting citizens, particularly when the confirmed use of this location is administrative in nature.”

Councilor Ryan Locke described the situation as “uncharted territory” in Carmel.

“It is a bizarre thing to be facing a position where we have to be concerned, which is a light word, about our federal government,” Locke said.

Locke also urged residents with concerns or questions to contact thesir city councilors.

CHS girls swim team wins 40th consecutive state title

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Carmel High School girls swimming and diving team heard that its state title reign might be nearing an end.

“There was a lot of chatter that this year the streak ends,” Greyhounds coach Chris Plumb said. “We were definitely aware of that, but we try to look at that as a good thing — motivational, it’s inspirational. The challenge was appropriate for us to step in to really understand what we needed to swim well (in the state finals).”

The Greyhounds were up to the challenge, winning their 40th consecutive IHSAA state title Feb. 14 at the Indiana University Natatorium at IU Indianapolis. They extended their national high school state championship streak record for all sports.

The Greyhounds finished with 326.5 points. Fishers and Fort Wayne Carroll were tied for second with 227 points. Zionsville placed fourth with 201.

“When you have meets that are closer than you are used to and people are talking about it, this one is sweet because people were talking about it,” said Plumb, whose team slipped past Fishers by two points earlier in the season. “(Opposing teams) thought they could take us down, and to be able to respond like that is a tribute to our staff, our team and our culture. We

definitely have our work cut out moving forward.”

Carmel senior Molly Sweeney and sophomore teammate Ellie Clarke each won two individual events and were on the winning 200-yard medley relay with sophomore Leah Debosch and junior Sophia Floyd. Sweeney won the 100 butterfly in 52.78 seconds and 100 breaststroke in 59.24.

Clarke won the 200 individual medley in 1 minute, 57.73 seconds and 100 backstroke in 53.08 seconds.

“Ellie is just a consistent hard worker,” Plumb said. “She’s growing into the role of the leader on the team, and we love to see that.”

Clarke’s victory in the 200 IM was the 200th individual or relay title for Carmel.

Plumb said having three finalists in the 500 freestyle was big with freshman Haley Morris in third, senior Sabrina Ledwith in fifth and freshman Helayna Weller in seventh.

The Greyhounds were third in the 400 freestyle relay and fourth in the 200 freestyle relay.

Carmel senior diver Helena Gibson was second to North Central’s Adelyn Flessner in the 1-meter diving, providing another boost.

Clarke said the team was motivated by people doubting the team.

“We were seeded lower in a lot of events, but I think we really stepped up and showed them who we are,” she said.

Pastor’s campaign focuses on affordability

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

As a pastor and community advocate, the Rev. David W. Greene frequently hears firsthand accounts from Hoosiers struggling to pay for essential services.

That’s why the Indianapolis Democrat’s campaign for the open District 29 seat in the Indiana Senate is primarily focused on affordability.

“A lot of people I’ve encountered are doing the right thing but still struggling,” Greene said. “I want to continue to be a voice for the voiceless and try to improve the quality of life for people, especially seniors.”

District 29 is represented by incumbent Sen. J.D. Ford, a Democrat who is running for Congress in Indiana’s 5th District. Greene said he wants to “build on the work” Ford has done in the district, which includes parts of Carmel, Zionsville and Indianapolis.

Greene has served as a pastor at Purpose of Life Ministries in Indianapolis

for 30 years. He is president of the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis, a “fellowship of pastors and other concerned citizens who are God-fearing people who believe injustice, racism, ageism, class-ism and sexism to be contrary to the will of God,” according to its website.

The pastor said if elected, he will aim to build coalitions and be a “moral voice” in the legislature.

Greene

“You’re not going to be successful in our state in a silo,” Greene said. “I feel like there’s a lot of mean-spirited things coming from the statehouse. … I truly believe one of the best disinfectants for darkness is to cast a light on it. So, I’d want to be that light.”

Greene will face Demetrice Hicks, Kristina Moorhead and Kevin Short in the May 5 Democratic primary. Republican candidates are V. Roni Ford and former state senators Mike Delph and John Ruckelshaus. The general election is Nov. 3.

Learn more about Greene’s campaign at Greene4Hoosiers.com.

Former state senator running for District 29 seat

By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com

Former District 30 State Sen. John Ruckelshaus is getting back into politics. The Republican is running for the District 29 State Senate seat.

Ruckelshaus previously served in the State Senate from 2017-21. He said crime in Marion County is among his reasons for reentering politics.

“(People) just don’t feel safe going into Marion County at night,” Ruckelshaus said.

Ruckelshaus said there’s a void in the legislature in terms of advocates for people with disabilities. He has a son who is quadriplegic.

“I really want to … help that community as well,” Ruckelshaus said, adding rising utilities and health care costs also are issues he wants to address, preferably with bipartisan support.

Ruckelshaus said ensuring the safety of the state’s most populous county and surrounding communities is important, because Marion County generates a significant amount of state revenue.

“It’s a real motivator to make sure Marion County is successful,” he said.

District 29 includes parts of Carmel, Zionsville and Indianapolis.

Ruckelshaus said he’d like the legislature to focus more on state issues instead of national politics. He joins a crowded Republican field for the seat that includes Mike Delph and V. Roni Ford.

David W. Greene, Demetrice Hicks, Kevin Short and Kristina Moorhead are the Democratic candidates. Democrat J.D. Ford is the incumbent but is running for the 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. The primary election is May 5, and the general election is Nov. 3.

Candidate filing concludes

Candidate filing closed Feb. 6 for the May 5 primary election. Candidates in districts that include Carmel are:

U.S. CONGRESS, FIFTH DISTRICT

Republican

• Scott A. King

• Victoria Spartz (incumbent)

Democrat

• Steven Avitabile Avit

• J.D. Ford

• Jackson Franklin

• Phil Goss

• Dylan McKenna

• Tara Nelson

• Deborah A Pickett

STATE SENATE, DISTRICT 29

Republican

• Mike Delph

• V. Roni Ford

• John Ruckelshaus

Democrat

• David W Greene, Sr

• Demetrice Hicks

• Kristina Moorhead

• Kevin Short

STATE HOUSE, DISTRICT 24

Republican

• Hunter Smith (incumbent)

Democrat

• Racheal Bleicher

STATE HOUSE, DISTRICT 32

Democrat

• Victoria Garcia Wilburn (incumbent)

STATE HOUSE, DISTRICT 39

Republican

• Danny Lopez

• Billy Qian

Democrat

• Lindsay Gramlich

CLAY TOWNSHIP BOARD

Republican

• Paul K Bolin (incumbent)

• David Haboush

• Morgan B Rinehart

Democrat

• Gregory Daniels

• Michael Needham

• Steven Litzelman Nisi

• Matthew J Phelps

COUNTY ASSESSOR

Republican

• Kevin W. Poore (incumbent)

COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT CLERK

Republican

• Beth Sheller

COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 1

Republican

• Christine Altman (incumbent)

COUNTY CORONER

Republican

• Brad Craig

• Jeff D. Jellison (incumbent)

COUNTY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 1

Republican

• Tim Griffin (incumbent)

Democrat

• Christopher Daniel

COUNTY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 4

Republican

• Ken Alexander (incumbent)

Democrat

• Jason E. Frank

COUNTY RECORDER

Republican

• Trini Beaver (incumbent)

COUNTY SHERIFF

Republican

• Dustin K. Dixon

• John Lowes

COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

Republican

• Josh Kocher (incumbent)

SUPERIOR COURT 3 JUDGE

Republican

• Chris Evans

• Amy B. Summerfield

SUPERIOR COURT 4 JUDGE

Republican

• Chadwick Hill

• Angela Brown Swenson

• Trampas Alan Whalin

SUPERIOR COURT 5 JUDGE

Republican

• David K. Najjar (incumbent)

SUPERIOR COURT 8 JUDGE

Republican

• Danica L. Eyler

Democrat

• Emily L. Angel Shaw

SUPERIOR COURT 9 JUDGE

Republican

• Christopher Barrows

• Sarah Shields

• Paul C. Sweeney

Meridian Audiology LLC, a private Audiology practice, was founded by Dr. Alison Wyss, Au.D. and Kira VonBlon, M.S., after working together as Audiologists in an ENT setting for more than 12 years. The seasoned Audiologists strive to consistently provide premier care to patients with hearing loss, tinnitus and auditory processing disorders as well as those who want to protect their hearing from damage.

In stark contrast to the medical/ ENT audiology world where patients are in and out in quick succession, private practice allows Ali and Kira to spend whatever time their patients need from them for their individual hearing healthcare situation.

Kira and Ali are available to evaluate your hearing and walk through your many options if you are a hearing aid candidate. Kira and Ali will spend the time to explain the differences in hearing aids, the best options for the hearing concerns you have, and will even have their benefit company call to verify if you have a benefit or discount plan for hearing aids through your insurance. We believe this makes the difference in you feeling comfortable with your individual hearing loss action plan.

S Sign up to come to our Auditory Rehabilitation class: Hearing Aids are Just One Piece of the Hearing Loss Puzzle

March 24, 2026 1:30-3pm at 911 E 86th Street, Ste 40 Bring your communication partner and together we will have

an interactive presentation to help you and your communication partners communicate more effectively in your everyday situations

Cost: $45 for you and a guest

Snacks provided Kira and Ali are also available to speak to your local community clubs about hearing, hearing loss and the link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline. Dr Wyss states “We’ve done many presentations to community clubs in the area and the participants always appreciate our time in giving them information about hearing loss, cognitive decline and tinnitus as well as answering their questions ” Meridian Audiology accepts most major insurances, offers convenient scheduling via phone, email, or online and are independent of other medical practices or hospitals. Hours are 9am-4pm Monday-Friday by appointment only.

T They are located at 911 E 86th Street, Suite 035 Phone 317-731-5386 Email info@ meridianaudiology com Website: www meridianaudiology com

Co-hosted by Current and Project Civility

Roundtable on Carmel’s Housing Challenges

Talk with your community and take action. Join your Carmel neighbors on March 5 to prove communities can solve problems together.

For ages 18 and up

Thursday, March 5 - 2PM EST and 7PM EST

Help Shape Carmel’s Future: Join the Housing Challenges Roundtable

Join a Roundtable discussion to explore the complex realities of housing in Carmel — specifically the tension between our high quality of life and the housing shortages that threaten it. We will look at the needs of seniors, young graduates, families and service workers alongside resident concerns regarding density, traffic, and community character.

During the Roundtable you’ll be placed in groups of 4-6 residents with different perspectives for a live, guided online conversation to connect and explore this critical topic. Your insights will be used to guide policy solutions, help officials better understand residents’ concerns and needs, and demonstrate that diverse, productive dialogue on this topic is possible in Carmel.

How It Works

• Register online and answer a few quick questions

• Join via a simple web link; no downloads needed

• Watch a brief welcome video and get matched with 4-6 neighbors from diverse perspectives

• Follow a structured conversation guide to share your thoughts and hear fresh perspectives

• After the event, receive a summary of insights from all conversations to see how your community is thinking about this issue

CCS considering changes to public comment process

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

Several people who spoke during the public comment portion of a Carmel Clay Schools board of trustees’ meeting found themselves in an awkward position last month.

They wanted to voice their support for a candidate who had applied for appointment to a vacant school board seat, but a district bylaw prevented them from naming specific employees, patrons or students. So, they descriptively lauded the candidate’s connections and accomplishments without ever naming her.

That prompted board members to review the district’s public comment bylaw and suggest several changes, which they discussed during their Feb. 11 meeting.

Among the proposed amendments is striking the prohibition against naming individuals. Instead, the bylaw would state that “boisterous or uncivil conduct will not be permitted, nor will any defamatory remarks be tolerated.”

“What we intend is that we want to hear from the public and that we make that possible and easy for the public to do, and at the same time really stating clearly our expectation about decorum,

civility,” said Kristina Wheeler, a school board member who serves on the CCS policy committee. “That is not a proper podium to go about attacking people, and attacking people is different than having critical commentary. I trust our community 99.9 percent of the time to follow those rules and our president to enforce them.”

Other proposed changes include:

• Removing a requirement to be signed up to speak 15 minutes before the meeting begins (board members suggested 10 minutes instead)

• Allowing the public to speak about topics other than agenda items at workshop meetings

• Allowing the school board to allow the public comment portion of the meeting to extend beyond the 30-minute time limit if a large number of people still wish to speak

Multiple board members said they value the opportunity to hear from the public and support updating the bylaw.

The school board is expected to vote on changes to the policy at its Feb. 25 meeting, which is set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Educational Services Center, 5201 E. Main St. Review the proposed changes at tinyurl.com/ycyer4d2.

No injuries in house fire

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

Carmel firefighters extinguished a fast-moving blaze Feb. 19 in a house on High Drive.

A couple living in the home and their two dogs escaped without injury, according to Tim Griffin, public information officer for the Carmel Fire Department. No firefighters were injured during the response.

Griffin said 911 dispatchers received a call about the fire at 7:17 a.m. A smoke detector alerted the residents of the blaze, and by the time they grabbed their dogs, heavy smoke had begun moving through the structure.

“As fast as that fire spread, they could have easily been trapped inside,” Griffin said, stressing the importance of work-

A fire spreads through a Carmel home on High Drive the morning of Feb. 17. (Photo courtesy of the Carmel Fire Department)

ing fire detectors inside a home.

The fire started in the garage, but Griffin said it is not yet clear what sparked it. The blaze did not spread beyond the home.

MAKE YOUR BEST MOVE YET

COMMUNITY

DISPATCHES

Fish fry Fridays at Seton — The Knights of Columbus Council 12387 Fish Fry will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20, 27, March 6, 13, 20 and 27 at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 10655 Haverstick Rd. in Carmel. Cost for the all-you-can-eat pollock dinner is $14 and includes french fries, apple sauce, coleslaw, a cookie and iced tea or lemonade. A salmon option is available for $17, and New England-style crab cakes are $18. Kids meals are available for $6. Meals may be eaten at the church or picked up to go.

Hassle-free Home Ownership for Active Adults (62+)

Now is your time to make a change for the better. That’s because hassle-free home ownership is coming for active adults (62+)! Why worry about maintenance and costly repairs when you can be doing things you enjoy instead? Whether you are retired or still working, the Village Cooperative of Westfield i is Coming Soon to the area and offers everything you want including a better lifestyle in a community of peers with the freedom to do as you please.

•Reserve now and choose your home and interior finishes

•Homes are selling quickly Don’t wait!

•Home ownership with no maintenance

•Annual appreciation on your investment

•Get your best price now before construction starts!

CHS Planetarium show — The Carmel High School Planetarium, 520 E. Main St., will present “The Little Star that Could,” the story of an average yellow star in search of planets of his own to protect and warm. The show, set for 4 p.m. Feb. 28, is suitable for ages 4 and older. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children, seniors and students. Purchase tickets at tinyurl.com/mu45vpbu.

Robotics center grand opening — Kids Explore Robotics STEM Center at 1742 E. 116th St. in Carmel will hold a grand-opening celebration at 11:30 a.m. March 5. The event will feature hands-on robotics demonstrations, kid-friendly activities and more. The center is designed for children age 6 to 18 and offers interactive classes, workshops, camps, field trips and special events. Learn more at kidsexplorerobotics.com/ carmel-robotics-stem-learning-center.

Preparing for perimenopause — Women in the Pause will present “How to Prepare for Perimenopause” from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 5 at The Club Coworking | Crosspoint Center, 9800 Crosspoint Blvd. in Indianapolis. Appetizers and wine will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m. The program will offer real-talk tips on preparing for perimenopause. Learn more and register at bit.ly/4rAyny7.

ILADD seminar — Independent Living for Adults With Disabilities will present an Information Seminar from 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 5 in the Ascension St. Vincent Community Room 207 at the Zionsville Town Hall, 1100 W. Oak St. The event is titled “Technology as a Supplemental Support” and will feature information from experts in the field. Those interested in attending can reach out to Program Director Erika Thomison at ethomison@iladdinc. org or visit iladdinc.org.

Family seeking donations to stock library in India CHS student’s nonprofit grows

By Lauren Weidinger news@youarecurrent.com

Creekside Middle School student

Vega Dange’s father grew up in central India, where he witnessed the disadvantages many people faced as a result of the nation’s caste system. One of the disparities was the lack of a public library.

So, Dange and her father, grandmother and the Jivak Foundation, an India-based nonprofit. worked together to design, build and stock one in the town of Sindewahi.

“There are so many things that need to be done to solve this problem, and I feel that we cannot do enough,” Dange said. “This is a small action that can really provide these socially oppressed kids a venue to study, get books, coaching and guidance to succeed and maybe even get out of their poverty.”

Now that the yearlong process of constructing the library is completed, Dange and her family hope to fill it with educational and learning materials. She and her family are accepting donations through an Amazon wishlist, Venmo, a book drive at MacArthur Books and in-person meet-ups/donations.

“This library is so important and crucial to these students in India, and I think any donation — even if it is for one book, or one textbook, or even one dollar — will be incredibly important and beneficial to these students,” Dange said.

Dange and her family will collect textbooks and classic literature through May 15. At the end of May, Dange and her family will deliver the donations to the library.

View the Amazon wish list at tinyurl. com/3usnpn5m.

By Samantha Kupiainen news@youarecurrent.com

Carmel High School junior Ellie Wang is balancing school, college prep and running her own non-profit.

Wang founded ActDefy in August 2025. The organization aims to empower students, especially young women and minorities, to be active in civic leadership, advocacy and community impact, particularly those interested in pursuing careers in law and public policy.

“I noticed the inequalities women and minorities face in the workforce, especially in government and law-related fields,” Wang said. “I also saw that many young people like me aren’t always taken seriously and often don’t get involved civically. I wanted to change that narrative and empower people who might not see themselves reflected in leadership roles and encourage youth to get involved in civic action.”

ActDefy focuses on four areas: connection, literacy, research and college.

Expanding Community in

More healthcare opportunities in your neighborhood.

Community Health Network is increasing its presence in Carmel. By revitalizing our facility at 12188A North Meridian Street, we are able to add additional services and providers to our team. So you and your family have access to primary care, integrative medicine and pediatric care — without having to travel far from home.

Whether you’re looking for annual checkups, management of chronic conditions or integrative healthcare services, our expert team o ers it all. With more options in your neighborhood, receiving exceptional care just got easier.

To learn more, visit eCommunity.com/Carmel

“We run different programs that teach leadership skills, such as our Connect Series, where we interview different legislators or influential figures to give insights into their jobs and provide mentorship,” Wang said.

Other programs encourage students to write about issues they care about, connect with real-world research opportunities and prepare prospective law students for the application and admissions process.

ActDefy provides services for students in Hamilton County and around the globe.

“Since launching, we’ve reached students in over 46 countries and 31 U.S. states,” Wang said.

Currently, ActDefy has 11 chapters. It’s been able to grow as a nonprofit and gain chapters through social media outreach. Wang, who also founded the Indiana Student Debate League, vets all ActDefy new chapter requests via an application available on the nonprofit’s website.

Learn more at actdefy.org.

Greyhounds senior regains love for swimming

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel High School senior swimmer Molly Sweeney was beyond frustrated her junior year.

After winning the 200-yard individual medley and 100 breaststroke in the IHSAA state finals her first two seasons, she finished second in both events.

“I was going through some over-training syndrome,” she said. “I’m not going to lie, I was about to quit. I really hated the sport.”

She had already committed to swim for the University of Tennessee.

“I thought I’ll just decommit and go to IU or something (and be a student),” she said. “It was months and months of hard work and just kind of taking a step back and realizing what’s important to me outside of swimming. Coming back this year, it was just amazing. I wasn’t worried about winning or times. I was (feeling) I have this gift as an athlete that God’s given me and I’m just trying to use it to the fullest and bring people with me.”

Sweeney rebounded to win the 100

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

MEET MOLLY SWEENEY

Favorite athlete: Katie Ledecky

Favorite TV show: “Gilmore Girls”

Favorite subject: Anatomy

Favorite musican: Luke Combs

butterfly in 52.78 seconds and the 100 breaststroke in 59.24 Feb. 14 at the state finals at the Indiana University Natatorium at IU Indianapolis.

“I’ve been thoroughly impressed with her as an athlete, as a person for the challenges she had,” Greyhounds swimming coach Chris Plumb said. “I told her after the 100 breaststroke that I was consoling her last year, and now I’m congratulating her.”

Sweeney said she embraced being a

leader for the Greyhounds, who won their 40th consecutive state girls swimming title.

“I love this team,” she said. “We all try to be humble. We all try to be selfless and kind. (country singer) Tim McGraw says it best – always be humble and kind.”

Sweeney continued to have bad meets

after last year’s state high school meet. She finally decided to change her training routine by cutting back her time.

“I started trusting the process and enjoying the sport,” she said. “There’s way more to life than just swimming, and it’s just a part of me. It’s not who I am. I started embracing that and trying to have fun. I do my best when I’m having fun. I qualified for the World Juniors (in August 2025) and got to go to Romania, and that was the breakthrough for me.”

Sweeney said she carried that momentum into her senior season.

Now, she is ready to swim for Tennessee.

“The campus is beautiful,” she said. “I’ve always been a country girl at heart. The team is amazing. When I go to a team and it feels like family, I know that’s the one for me. The head coach, Matt Kredich, has a girl dad-type vibe to him and he really cares about you as a person, not just as a swimmer.”

To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@youarecurrent.com.

COMMUNITY

Runners prepare for 50th Mini-Marathon

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Eugene Lausch is set to compete in his 50th 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.

His streak was in serious jeopardy, however, in 2019, when he was struck by a car in late January 2019 while walking downtown.

“The accident broke my femur,” he said. “That year the Mini organizers allowed me to be pushed in a cart for a portion of the race. I walked 7.1 miles and was pushed for six 1-mile segments by a granddaughter, my son and students who I had coached in track at St. Richard’s Episcopal School. The Mini was held on a cold, rainy day but I will always remember and be grateful for the wonderful support I received from, first, the 500 Festival staff, and, more importantly, many other runners. The feeling I had at the end of the Mini that year was not triumph, but gratitude. I think that year I figured out what the Mini is really all about. It is not about winning, although that is nice. It is about accepting your condition and, disregarding frailty or impediments, pushing through to do the best you can.”

memorable.

“A school friend who ran track talked me into entering, and my father encouraged it, though he thought we were a little crazy,” Such said. “I had never run more than a mile before that May, yet suddenly I was preparing for 13. My family served as our support crew, meeting us at key locations with water, snacks and cameras.”

Then in 2015, Such was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which has affected his mechanics and slowed his race time.

“Even so, my doctor credits my running as some of the best medicine for fighting the disease,” Such said. “And honestly, the race-day atmosphere makes it easy to keep going. The volunteers, the 13 miles of entertainment and the spectators lining the course create an energy that’s impossible to resist.”

Bates, 73, played football, basketball and baseball at Thorntown High School but had never run long distances.

“When the Mini was first announced, I tried to get my younger brother to go with me and I couldn’t get any of my friends to participate in it,” he said. “So, I took this upon myself. I just thought this is something I ought to do.”

The 87-year-old Indianapolis resident is one of five participants who have been in all the Mini Marathons and plan to participate May 2 in the 50th running of the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon The others are Jerry Bates, Clemmons, N.C.; Al Such, Indianapolis; Michael Vollmer, Indianapolis; and John Hostetter, Independence, Ky.

“The Mini is a way to promote athletic fitness and a way to celebrate civic life in Indianapolis,” Lausch said. “For the last 25 years or so, participation in the Mini has become for me an expression of discipline and tenacity, values I appreciate. Since 2019, I no longer run but walk virtually every day.

Such, a 71-year-old Indianapolis resident, said he had the desire to get healthier after graduating from IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis).

Such ran his first Mini on his 23rd birthday and it remains his most

Bates said he had never run more than a mile in his life, but he tried to run 5 miles in high-top basketball shoes two days before the race.

“I didn’t make a mile before I started getting cramps in my calves,” he said. “I bought my first running shoes and went out the night before the race. Then you could sign up the day of the race. I’ll always remember the first race that made it addictive to me right then and there. Back then, they had police escorts on motorcycles guiding the buses downtown, and it was just exhilarating.”

Bates, who lives near Winston-Salem, N.C., said he ran that first race without walking in just under 2 hours.

Bates and his wife, Brenda, two daughters and son have all run in the Mini. Bates’ brother and sister and their families also have participated. For more, visit indymini.com/ mini-marathon/.

ZIONSVILLE YOUTH SOCCER

SIGN UP FOR SPRING REC SOCCER

Season begins April 6

For Players Born from 2021-2008

**Register before March 1 and get an early registration discount**

For more details and registration info, scan the QR Code or go to:

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COME TO OUR ZYSA OPEN HOUSE AND LEARN MORE SATURDAY, MARCH 14 at 1-3PM

ZYSA Indoor Building 5616 S. 700 E. Whitestown, 46075

Author to lead workshops in Luxembourg

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youcurrent.com

Tim Byers was able to mix his love of writing and Luxembourg.

Byers, 65, lived in the European nation during a study-abroad program while attending Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

The Carmel resident has written three novels that are set in Luxembourg during World War II. His third book, “In the Garden at Midnight,” was released Feb. 11. He plans at least two or three more novels set in the same time and place.

Byers and his wife, Mary, plan to travel to Luxembourg in March to lead creative writing workshops. He met a man at the Luxembourg Heritage Festival in Wisconsin last summer who has helped him arrange workshops and book signings during the trip.

“He connected me with a bunch of different schools in Luxembourg,” he said. “Luxembourg kids grow up learning four languages at the same time, so English is going to be easy for them.”

He provided the schools with an

agenda on how to explore creative writing, called “dreams, detours, destinations.” It’s a 45-minute workshop for middle school and high school students, which he also presents locally.

Byers said Luxembourg has a unique history as an independent nation.

“Visiting there and loving history, that kind of came together to start writing stories about it,” he said. “The books feature a teenage protagonist, so it’s really coming of age stories during

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the war. It’s kind of a unique focus from a country pushed around by larger powers through its whole history. Most people don’t even recognize the role it played during World War II.”

Byers said writing about Luxembourg allowed him to reflect on his time there.

“It allowed me to honor the courage and independence of the country by writing stories about them,” he said.

“Germany treated Luxembourg as a territory annexed rather than a territory to occupy, and that changed things quite a bit. That meant that young people could be conscripted for the army and were forced to fight in the German army against Russia.”

A retired sales engineer, Byers said his job involved a lot of teaching and presentation.

Byers and his wife regularly teach English as a second language to adults at Westfield Washington Public Library. Mary Byers is a Monon Trail Elementary School instructional assistant.

Byers will have a book signing from 1 to 3 p.m. March 7 at Barnes & Noble in Noblesville.

For more, visit tim-byers.com.

Thrifting saves dollars, energy

Commentary by Amanda Cross

Clothing waste is especially harmful to the environment because of the large amount of energy and water that making it requires.

The advent of “fast fashion” — the extra-quick, extra-cheap production of enormous quantities of trendy but low-quality clothes — has rocketed clothing up the list of consumer products with the most environmental impact. In 2023, the United Nations Environment Programme published a report that concluded fashion was responsible for up to 10 percent of all carbon emissions across the globe.

My personal approach to combat this impact is “slow fashion.” I buy fewer, higher-quality items from better brands, and then I wear them for years. This approach doesn’t work for my daughter, though. She prefers thrifting.

“Thrifting” is buying second-hand, not just at places that sell donations (though these can be great if you love the thrill of the hunt), but also at con-

signment and resale shops, both in-person and online. The Carmel area has clothing resale shops with high-quality, trendy clothing at amazing prices. Check out CarmelGreen.com for a list we’ve created.

I just took my daughter thrifting. She was on the hunt for a bold-colored dress, so we scoured the racks.

One dress my daughter tried on had lost its shape and had a frayed and broken strap. I wasn’t too surprised to notice it was from a fast fashion brand. That one went into the “no” pile, but she ended up settling on two dresses that cost less together than either one would have cost at a retail store.

Next time you want to refresh your wardrobe, or just engage in some retail therapy, try thrifting. Your wallet and the planet will thank you.

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2026Primary Election

May 5 May 5

The communities served by Current Publishing are comprised of highly educated and, predominantly, issues-focused residents. As a candidate for election to public office, it’s arguably the best audience in the state to which you can state your campaign’s case. As has been the practice in elections past, Current is using a level playing field with respect to pricing. Any candidate wishing to advertise may do so at Current rates customarily reserved for advertising placements of between 13 and 26 times a year. You are entitled to use the rates below one time or more to connect with our audience. Thank you for your consideration, and good luck on the campaign trail.

Valentine’s gift boxes support service dogs

By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com

Angela Martinez told her husband to stop buying her flowers for Valentine’s Day. Sure, they’re pretty, but they die quickly, she said.

So, her husband went a different route this year, surprising Martinez with a gift box from the Indiana Canine Assistant Network’s Puppy Love fundraiser.

The gift boxes are one of the service dog organization’s largest annual fundraisers. The boxes are filled with items from Indiana businesses like Albanese Candy, DeBrand Fine Chocolates and Taylor’s Bakery in Indianapolis.

And for the lucky recipients, the goodies inside are just part of the experience.

Gift boxes are delivered by ICAN volunteers and service dogs in training who are happy to greet whomever they encounter.

“It was a fun surprise,” Martinez said. “I love that it is a super awesome cause.”

Martinez, who is the executive director of Rose Senior Living in Carmel, was surprised at work Feb. 12.

McGarrah said she’ll approach construction workers or motorcycle riders so the dogs she works with can experience loud noises with the goal of them remaining calm. It also means the dogs get their handlers out and about, too.

“I talk to people I wouldn’t have normally,” McGarrah said.

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Juli McGarrah and service-dog-in training Wick, a black Lab, delivered the gift box.

Service dogs spend two years in training, splitting time with incarcerated individuals in Indiana prisons, and volunteers in the community.

“The incarcerated individual really leads the bulk of the training,” said Samanatha Thompson, communications manager for ICAN.

McGarrah has volunteered with ICAN for years and got involved after her dog died.

“It was a perfect blend of I get a lot of dog time but not 24/7,” she said.

ICAN volunteers deliver up to 200 gift boxes each Valentine’s season along with service dogs in training. About 400 gift boxes were sold, with the rest being mailed to recipients.

“Not only is it a great way to spread our mission … it’s a great training opportunity for our dogs,” Thompson said.

Exposure and experience are key for a service dog, McGarrah said. The goal is to eliminate surprise or fear.

ICAN is funded via grants, donations and fundraiser. Puppy Love is one of the longest-running and most successful fundraisers, according to Thompson.

ICAN added a new feature this year, doggie gift bags, for one’s four-legged Valentine. Items, such as chew toys, also came from Indiana businesses.

Karin Inkoff-Holman thought she might miss her delivery while she waited for an appointment at Wellbrooke of Carmel.

McGarrah and Wick, wearing a pink and red bandana with hearts on it, arrived just in time, though.

Her gift box was sent by her husband. “I love it,” Inkoff-Holman said. “They have wonderful things inside, and it’s a great fundraiser for ICAN.”

Inkoff-Holman has a service dog from ICAN.

She and her husband sent a gift box to her sister, addressed from their dog. Inkoff-Holman enjoyed some pets with Wick, who left some slobber on her pants. She didn’t seem to mind.

‘YOU CAN DO REALLY COOL THINGS’

Carmel Education Foundation celebrating 60 years of classroom support

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

As an eighth-grade science teacher at Carmel Middle School, Katherine Russo knows it can be difficult to get students excited about some of the topics they study in class. Like rocks.

But thanks to the Carmel Education Foundation, several of Russo’s lessons have become more hands-on and engaging to students. She’s received several grants from the nonprofit, which have funded duct tape and 3D pens to make dioramas, a variety of skulls to help students hone observation skills and tools to identify and categorize geologic specimens as part of a NASA-themed mission.

“Getting to think big and then do big is something that CEF allows,” Russo said. “A lot of times, teachers are limited by money. So, when that is no longer a hurdle, you can do really cool things.”

This year, CEF is celebrating 60 years of providing financial support to Carmel Clay Schools classrooms. Since 1966, it has awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships to Carmel High School seniors and nearly $2 million in grants to support classroom experiences.

“Our goal is to reach every student in every grade in every school within a three-year period, so that every three years we can say we have reached everybody across the district,” CEF CEO Jennifer Penix said.

One way CEF does this is by providing funds to allow every CCS fifth-grader to spend a day at Junior Achievement’s BizTown, a simulated city where students can learn about financial literacy and workplace readiness.

CEF also recently partnered with the Joseph Maley Foundation to provide disability awareness programming for elementary and middle school students. It plans to expand the initiative to Carmel High School next year.

“We are starting to really approach programming and funding from an equitable standpoint, so that every student in a particular grade level has the same experience,” Penix said.

CEF also offers scholarships to CCS students. Last year, Carmel High School student Marcus Primason received the Nick Allemenos Journalism Scholar-

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Carmel Education Foundation has several opportunities for community members to help it celebrate 60 years of supporting Carmel Clay Schools. They include:

• Share the Love, Shape the Future — The fundraising campaign will run through the end of February. Donors are encouraged to give $10 per student they want to support.

• 1966 Donor Society — The society is for donors who contribute at least $1,000 annually. CEF is aiming to grow the society to 60 members by the end of the year.

• Carmel Clay Historical Society exhibit — In November, the Carmel Clay History Museum will feature an exhibit commemorating CEF’s 60 years through artifacts and stories.

• Taste of Carmel — CEF will highlight its history at Taste of Carmel, an annual fundraiser featuring food and drink samples from a variety of local restaurants. The event has been moved from March to Aug. 27 to coincide with the start of the school year and not conflict with spring PTO events.

• Ghosts & Goblins — The annual 1-mile/5K run/walk, another major CEF fundraiser, is set for Oct. 24.

ship and used it to attend a camp at Indiana University to enhance his photography skills.

“It was a really impactful camp,” said Primason, a junior. “I had some great memories. It will push my pursuit of photojournalism in the future.”

Primason and Russo encourage other students and teachers, respectively, to apply for CEF grants.

“A lot of teachers maybe don’t realize just how easy the process is,” Russo said. “So, anytime I have an idea, I’m like, ‘Let’s go for it.’ The worst that can happen is they say no, but the best that can happen is that you get a really cool idea funded.”

Looking ahead, CEF plans to continue recent efforts to focus on real-world readiness, which aims to help students prepare for opportunities other than college after high school graduation. It’s also preparing to make adjustments, if necessary, to help CCS absorb the impact of Senate Enrolled Act 1. The 2025

law aims to cut Hoosier property taxes but is expected to decrease state funding to CCS by approximately $3 million this year.

“We know that’s coming,” Penix said. “We’re being pretty strategic in how we are allocating some of our resources and in our planning to be able to step in as needed.”

Learn more about CEF at ccs.k12. in.us/foundation.

ON

Coffee supply chain expert to speak at free event

By Will Riddell news@youarecurrent.com

A special event is brewing at Indie Coffee Roasters Carmel Main Street shop.

The cafe at 220 E. Main St. is set to host Taste of Colombia & The Cost of Coffee from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26.

Special guest for the evening will be Felipe Trujillo, a graduate of Indiana University’s business school and CEO of Véntola Coffee in Colombia. He specializes in coffee production and the coffee supply chain, the intricate step-by-step process of how a coffee bean grown in Colombia eventually becomes part of a drink served thousands of miles away.

“He is able to connect us with incredible high-end producers in Colombia,” said PC Campbell, lead roaster at Indie Coffee Roasters. “He really tries to make (Colombian coffee) more available to people in the Midwest and the U.S.”

Campbell said the idea to host Taste of Colombia & The Cost of Coffee came to her after she visited Trujillo on a recent trip to South America.

The event is free and open to the pub-

lic, and attendees can look forward to a coffee tasting as well as a facilitated discussion with Trujillo about the economics of the drink.

“Felipe is one of the few people I’ve met in the world of coffee that has been involved and worked at every step of the supply chain,” Campbell said. “He is one of the best resources for any curiosities a person might have about coffee.”

Campbell hopes the evening with Trujillo will provide Carmel’s coffee drinkers with a greater appreciation for the people and processes that make every cup possible.

Learn more at indiecoffeeroasters.com.

Home prep company opens

By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com

A new home preparation company has opened a franchise in north Indianapolis.

Homestretch, which specializes in cosmetic fixes for homes about to go on the market, opened the franchise last month.

Its service area ranges from Zionsville to Pendleton and most cities in between, including Carmel, Westfield and Noblesville.

Homestretch quickly provides services meant to prepare a home to go up for sale. Services include clean-outs, painting and carpet and flooring. The business is not a general contractor.

“We are not going to build a wall, we are not going to tear down a wall,” said Todd Wright, owner of the north Indy franchise. “We’re not going to go in and re-do plumbing.”

Instead, Homestretch offers cosmetic

upgrades to make a home standout either on Zillow or during a home tour. Services include repainting room to something more neutral or replacing old carpet.

“We do the right cosmetic improvements that will allow a home to sell more quickly,” Wright said.

Landscaping, junk removal and cleaning to prepare for listing photos are among the services offered.

Wright said Homestretch is one of the fastest-growing franchises in the nation.

Homestretch’s customer base are realtors who would hire the company on behalf of the homeowner.

Although real estate agents might already know a painter or flooring contractor, Homestretch offers all these services under one umbrella, which is the business’ selling point, Wright said. Homestretch can be reached at 317-854-0230 or contact.NIND@homestretch.com.

Straight No Chaser’s Collins set for ‘Motown and Beyond’ solo concert

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

For Jerome Collins, his upcoming concert is a return to his childhood.

“This is basically you coming into my living room,” Collins said. “This is basically a story of how I grew up. My parents raised me on such great music, like Motown. These songs bring back memories of me growing up, like watching ‘Soul Train’ on Saturday. My parents would do their dancing and would be singing these songs. It’s so nostalgic.”

Collins will perform his “Rewind A Journey to Motown and Beyond” concert at 8 p.m. March 7 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Collins is a founding member of the a cappella group Straight No Chaser, which started at Indiana University. The opening act is Small Town City, which features Straight No Chaser’s Mike Luginbill and Ryan Ahlwardt, a former Straight No Chaser member who lives in Fishers.

“Straight No Chaser is my main thing, but I’m spreading my little wings, and doing something different is good for the soul,” Collins said.

The music spans from the 1960s to 1990s, including Motown and songs by performers such as Luther Vandross, Chaka Khan and Tina Turner.

“I’m going to be 50 in April, and this music is something that stuck to my soul,” he said. “The story needs to be how this music not only inspired myself but a generation.”

Collins said he likes to share stories with the audience.

“I let you in,” he said. “I’m not singing at you. I’m singing with you. It’s just an inviting, heartfelt story, and you are going to want to dance. I very doubt your feet and hands won’t clap or stomp at some point.”

Collins said the setlist will be different from last year’s performance in

‘PRETTY WOMAN’

“Pretty Woman” runs through April 4 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards. com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Feinstein’s cabaret presents “Now That’s Funny, Andy Beningo” Feb. 26, followed by “Indy Nights Ryan Ahlwardt & Friends” Feb. 27, and “Nathan Chester & the Old Souls Motown” Feb. 28 at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

‘PETE THE CAT’

Civic Theatre presents “Pete the Cat” at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

THE PEKING ACROBATS

The Peking Acrobats are set to perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

“I’ve added a Prince medley I didn’t have last year,” he said.

Small Town City opened for Collins at The Tarkington in 2024.

“It was a blast,” Ahlwardt said. “Jerome is a world-class showman and longtime friend of ours from our time together in Straight No Chaser. Opening for him felt less like a gig and more like a family reunion.”

Small Town City recently finished a new single, “Snowy Daze,” which Ahlwardt said leans into nostalgia and has a more cinematic sound.

“We’re excited to release it digitally and bring it to the stage this year,” he said.

Ahlwardt said he doesn’t get to perform with Luginbill, a fellow 1999

Hamilton Southeastern High School graduate, as often as they would like since they live in different cities, along with juggling family life and other projects. Luginbill lives in Nashville, Tenn.

“When we do share a stage, it’s intentional and energized,” Ahlwardt said. “That built-in distance keeps it fresh for us and makes each show feel like an event. We’re excited to share a blend of fan favorites, new material and the stories behind the songs. We want the audience to feel like they’ve been invited into something personal, joyful and distinctly Hoosier when they hear our music.”

For more, visit thecenterpresents. org.

 Best of Fest set for March 6-7 –“The Best of Fest: Heartland Film Festival Edition,” presented by Heartland Film and The Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin, returns March 6 and 7. The mini movie series re-showcases four fan-favorite films from the 2025 Heartland Film Festival. The schedule includes the festival’s Overall Narrative Audience Choice Award winner, “Nuremberg,” and the Indiana Spotlight Audience Choice Award winner, “The Tenderness Tour.” Filmmakers from “25 Cats of Qatar” and “The Tenderness Tour” will be available after their respective screenings for audience questions.

JEWELS OF JAPAN

THURSDAY, MARCH 5 AT 2PM

Space is limited, please RSVP at ambassadair.com or call our o ce at 317-581-1122

CCP set to fire up ‘Spitfire Grill’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Kathleen Clarke Horrigan embraces the message of redemption that “The Spitfire Grill” shares with audiences. Horrigan is directing Carmel Community Players’ production of the musical, which runs Feb. 27 to March 8 at the Switch Theatre at Ji-Eun Lee Music Academy in Fishers.

The plot centers on Percy, an ex-felon who is new to the small fictional town of Gilead, Wis.

“Everyone in town was skeptical of this young lady coming to visit,” Horrigan said. “She doesn’t know how to cook or wait tables, and the town doesn’t make it easier on her. The feeling of being able to renew and (have) second chances is very important.”

The production is a musical version based on the 1996 movie. Noblesville resident Breanna Helms plays Percy.

“I like the difference of character compared to other ones I’ve played,” Helms said. “She is traumatized and more than just a surface-level type of person. She has a lot of deep flaws, and to convey that to the audience has been a challenge.”

Helms said she likes that the musical has a happier ending, unlike the movie.

“I was going to watch the movie but the director kind of directed us in a way to not watch it and make the character our own,” Helms said.

Carmel resident Susan Smith plays Hannah Ferguson, who owns the grill. She is running an essay contest to sell the grill because she wants to retire. The entry fee is $100 per essay, and she

will give the grill away to the essay she likes the best. Smith said she usually plays more comedic characters.

“You have to find a lot of depth in the character and find the layers,” Smith said. “She doesn’t want to be depressed 24/7. That would be ridiculous. You have to feel the moments of high and lows in the characters.”

Smith’s character starts out with a bad hip and then breaks her leg.

Noblesville resident Sarah Marone-Sowers plays Shelby, who works at the grill.

“There’s a lot of things of self-acceptance that Shelby is learning throughout this show, finding her own path,” Marone-Sowers said.

Marone-Sowers said she has known Horrigan for about 10 years.

“I respect her as a director, and any time she brings something (to the stage), I know it’s going to be a quality show and I jump at the opportunity to try to work with her,” Marone-Sowers said.

For more, visit carmelplayers.org.

‘Pete the Cat’ set for Civic ENTERTAINMENT

‘The

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Amanda recently returned to acting and performing. She graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theater in 2017 and worked professionally in theater for several years.

There’s a different Cat in town. Civic Theatre presented “The Cat in Hat” for 10 years with a two-year break for the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021-22. Civic couldn’t obtain production the rights this year because of a national tour, so, it is presenting “Pete the Cat” for its student matinees starting Feb. 25, and its two public shows are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

“What makes a show like ‘Pete the Cat’ fun is that we have a small cast, so we all get to do a variety of things,” Amanda Boldt said. “I play the Mom, but I also get to be a strict teacher and a groovy member of Pete’s band. It’s fast paced, and I get to create these different personas in each new scene. It’s also been a joy to work with all the cast members and directors to create something that feels silly, fun, genuine and completely unique to this group of five people on stage. Plus, I get to act alongside my sister, who plays Olive in the show, which is actually the first time in both of our acting careers when we have been in a show together.”

Amanda, who graduated from Carmel High School in 2013, lives in Fishers. Her sister, Alyssa, is a 2020 CHS graduate.

“Then when COVID hit, I, like I suspect many others, was forced to reevaluate the longevity and stability of a career as an actor,” Amanda said. “After realizing my biggest passion was teaching theater, I decided to go back to school to get my master’s in theater education. So, now I spend more of my time in the theater world as a teacher and director, which has been a joy. But, of course, the itch to perform again was still there. Most recently, I returned to the stage in ‘Something Rotten’ at Civic in the fall, which was my first show on stage in six years.”

Jacob Butler, a Lawrence resident, plays Pete the Cat.

“Playing Pete the Cat has been a pretty groovy experience,” Butler said. “It’s been so fun to play in the rehearsal room with this cast of people and put myself into the mindset of, ‘What would a rock ‘n’ roll cat do?’ Anne (Beck) is a great director and so collaborative so I can make silly choices as Pete the Cat. Anne will say yes, and (offer) another funny choice, and we just get to have fun bringing this cool cat to the stage. I think people of all ages are going to have fun watching this one.”

Butler finished his leading role Feb. 15 in Actors Theatre of Indiana’s presentation of “Lucky Stiff.”

For more, visit civictheatre.org.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES

Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 300 words sent in a Microsoft Word document or in the body of an email. Letters may not be of a campaigning or advertising nature. Letters should be exclusive to Current Publishing. Unsigned letters and letters deemed to be of a libelous nature will not be published. Letter writers will be given once-monthly consideration for publication of submissions. Current Publishing reserves the right to end published audience debate on any topic. Current Publishing reserves the right to edit and shorten for space, grammar, style and spelling, and Current may refuse letters. Send submissions to letters@youarecurrent.com; letters sent to any other email address will not be reviewed. Letters must include the writer’s full name, hometown and daytime telephone number for verification purposes only.

PUBLIC NOTICE

In accordance with the Construction Stormwater General Permit from the NPDES General Permit Program, this is to notify the public that the project site owner listed below is submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to discharge storm water from construction activities associated with the following: The project site, to be known as Magnolia Condominiums – Phase 2, is located in the Northwest Quarter of Section 31, Township 18 North, Range 4 East, Clay Township, Hamilton County at the southeast corner of the City Center Drive (126th Street) and Rangeline Road intersection in Carmel, Indiana. The project involves construction of two condominiums with five residential units each. All necessary infrastructure including but not limited to asphalt streets, curbs, sidewalks, storm sewers, and underground stormwater detention systems will be constructed with the project. Water, gas, electric, and telecommunication utilities shall serve the site as well.

Storm water runoff will be conveyed to the proposed underground stormwater detention system onsite which discharges into the existing public storm sewer along Rangeline Road. The ultimate receiving water for the development is the JW Hawkins drain located to the southwest of the site. Construction is anticipated to begin in March 2026.

Contact information for the project site owner is as follows:

Old Town Companies

525 North End Drive, Suite 100

Carmel, IN 46032

(317) 288-3401

For persons wishing to comment, or with questions, drawings and specifications are on file and may be examined at the following location: CrossRoad Engineers, PC 115 N. 17th Avenue

Beech Grove, IN 46107

(317) 780-1555

COMMUNITY VOICES

Student speech protected,

but not unlimited

Editor,

Recent student walkouts in Carmel have been reinforced by citing Tinker v. Des Moines, a Supreme Court case affirming that students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” That principle matters — but it is only part of the court’s ruling.

Tinker also makes clear that schools may regulate student expression when it creates a “material and substantial disruption” to the educational environment. When reports indicated hundreds of students leaving campus during the instructional day, disruption moved from hypothetical to actual. Schools cannot fulfill their educational obligations when students are absent from class. Courts have consistently confirmed the school’s authority to enforce policies and attendance rules necessary for maintaining order and ensure learning continues.

Indiana Code outlines limited “attendance exceptions” under IC 20-33-2, including paging at the General Assembly, serving on an election board, attending

judicial proceedings, certain military obligations, state fair or FFA/4H exhibition, off-site religious instruction or approved “nonclassroom activity.” Such activities must meet all statutory criteria and receive governing body approval.

Carmel Clay Schools’ own attendance policy directly references this statute: “Exceptions to compulsory attendance shall be recognized by the school corporation as stated in Indiana Code 20-33-2-14-17.”

This raises an important question: Were the recent walkouts approved under these guidelines? Leaving campus during the school day introduces risk that schools are obligated to avoid. Schools should encourage civil engagement and respectful dialogue; however, these walkouts misinterpret Tinker’s limits. Speech is protected, but not unlimited.

As taxpayers and community members, we should expect leaders to follow the stated policies that balance student expression with safety, accountability and uninterrupted learning.

Jennifer Hendrix, Carmel

Ignored by federal officials?

Editor,

Is it just me, or are our representatives in Washington reluctant to meet with the great unwashed — the voters?

I’ve been trying to meet face to face with (U.S. Rep. Victoria) Spartz and (U.S. Sen. Todd) Young for almost a year, and so far no go. By the way, I was surprised to learn that Spartz still considers herself as holding town hall meetings — Current’s recent interview was news to me.

Reasons they decline to meet vary: Schedule full. We have hundreds of thousands of constituents. Very busy.

Feeling self-righteous? Take a breath

Commentary by Jeff Worrell

It is a seductive trap: The belief that because our cause is just, our behavior is beyond reproach. In today’s hyper-polarized climate, we often find ourselves in heated disagreements over politics, schools and local policy. But there is a hidden danger in these conflicts that has nothing to do with the facts of the debate, and everything to do with our own humanity.

When we are convinced of our moral superiority, we begin to dehumanize those on the other side. We stop seeing a neighbor with a different perspective and start seeing an “obstacle,” an “enemy” or someone “lesser.” This is the birth of self-righteousness; a state of mind that allows us to bypass our own values in the name of defending them.

The irony is often lost on us. In our zeal to criticize the “intolerance” or “meanness” of others, we become intolerant and mean. We use the very tactics we claim to hate — name-calling, silencing and dismissal — because we believe our “rightness” gives us a hall pass. We become the very thing we criticize, and the scariest part is that we don’t even know it.

Dehumanization leads to a total breakdown of community. Once you decide someone is “less than,” you no longer owe them respect, empathy or even common decency. This is how neighbors who have lived side-by-side for years suddenly find themselves unable to exchange a friendly wave across the driveway.

If we want to maintain the fabric of Carmel, we must guard against this slide. True integrity isn’t just about being right; it’s about how we treat people when we believe they are wrong.

I’ve met with staffers. They are well-intentioned folks, but I want (and should be able) to meet with the person in office, shouldn’t I?

My questions are simple. I want to know why they think tariffs are not taxes on the consumer, why they voted to increase the federal deficit (we’re approaching 100 percent of GDP) and what are they doing about health care costs.

If I may, I’d like to use your newspaper in an unscientific poll to see if other readers are getting the brush off, too?

Jim Keay, Carmel

The next time you feel that surge of self-righteous anger, take a breath. Ask yourself: “Am I fighting for a principle, or am I just feeding my own ego by making someone else a villain?” If we lose our ability to see the humanity in our opponents, we’ve already lost the argument — and a piece of ourselves.

Jeff Worrell is a Carmel City Council member and founder of nonprofit Project Civility. To contact him, you may email jeff4civility@gmail.com.

COLUMNISTS ON THE WEB

This week’s commentaries by Current Publishing essayist Terry Anker and humorist Dick Wolfsie may be read at youarecurrent. com.

16. Former Colts kicker Vinatieri

17. Westfield academy

19. Skirt length

20. Number with 100 zeros

21. Venue for exercise swimming

23. Big name in tractors

26. ___ Lauder

27. High points

31. Make the grade

33. Attention getter

34. Tuna type

35. Harsh

40. Arcadia high school

43. Hi-fi

44. Victory Field ump’s call

45. Dalai ___

46. Provide

48. Leading the Hoosier

Crossroads Conference

49. Miller or McGinnis, e.g.

53. Current edition

55. Things grown during in vitro fertilization

57. Exhausted

62. Spanish house

63. Carmel high school

66. Picnic pests

67. Passover feast

68. Baseball Hall of Famer Musial

69. Church area

70. Youngsters

71. “Tall” story DOWN

1. Really punch

2. Taboo

3. Fishers N/S road

4. Online journal

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6. Singer DiFranco

7. Classic British sports car

8. Superman: “Faster than a speeding ___!”

9. On the briny

10. Packs down

11. Dolt

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13. “Say cheese!”

18. Silent agreements

22. Lab dish

24. Cry...cry again?

25. Catastrophic

27. Oohs and ___

28. Casual talk

29. Bit of viral online humor

30. Mideast bigwig

32. Skeptic’s scoff

34. “This weighs ___!”

36. Wrinkled fruit

37. “___ she blows!

38. Night owls’ cash sources

39. Future attorney’s exam, briefly

41. Apprehensive

42. Colorations

47. Mickey Mouse’s creator

48. Part of FOMO

49. MCL pie choice

50. Appliance brand

51. WTTV affiliation

52. Backspace, on a PC

54. Tech-support callers

56. Evict

58. Attention getter

59. Peto’s Greek bread

60. Footnote abbr.

61. Unit of force, in physics

64. Texter’s “Beats me”

65. Geese formation ANSWERS ON PAGE 19

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Summer training for Indy’s aspiring musicians and actors / P4

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Indianapolis music camps build choral, rock skills

By Megan Dial news@youarecurrent.com

Music summer camps offered throughout Indianapolis are allowing children to gain musical skills, confidence and teamwork through intensive performance-based training.

The Indianapolis Children’s Choir offers an intensive summer camp where students learn and memorize six to eight pieces of music in one week, after which they perform a concert for the community.

“The summer camp is a wonderful time for singers in our community to get to see a taste of what the Indianapolis Children’s Choir is about. It’s a great way to come and experience the teachers and the teaching and a great week of music making,” ICC Executive Director Joshua Pedde said.

(Above) Members of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir perform during a previous summer intensive program. (Left) Children rehearse a song during a summer camp session at the School of Rock.

Summer starts NOW

For many participants, the camp marks their first time performing with a children’s choir. Pedde noted that each session includes a premiere of a new piece written specifically for the camp.

“They get to premiere something brand new that no one else has ever heard before,” Pedde said.

Because some of the music is memorized in other languages, the curriculum also provides cultural exposure.

“English might be their primary language, so this exposes them to different cultures and different ideas,” Pedde said.

This year, the ICC is celebrating 40 years of operation. The organization actually began as a summer camp, which is how it first involved young singers. One of the featured songs for the upcoming season is “Magical Kingdom.”

The ICC is hosting its “Magical Moments” camps June 8-11 and July 20-

23. For more information, visit icchoir. org/camp/.

Elsewhere in the city, the School of Rock utilizes summer camps as a platform for its belief that the stage is the ultimate teacher. Its weeklong sessions culminate in a performance of five to 10 rock songs featuring guitar, bass, drums, keys or vocals.

“Sometimes, kids are very scared until they get through their first song, at least,” School of Rock Music Director David Lawson said. “Then, they start to believe in themselves more and it gets easier to keep going.”

Students participate in group instruction and private lessons daily. They are encouraged to try different instruments and roles to spread the difficulty across the various positions in the band.

School of Rock hosts camps throughout June and July in Fishers, Carmel and Zionsville. For more, visit schoolofrock.com/music-camps.

Soccer Summer

Soccer Summer

Local camps offer training for aspiring young actors

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

For children and teens, the stage provides a space to inhabit new characters and overcome performance anxiety. This summer, Hamilton County theater academies will offer chances for students of all ages to learn to perform.

The Point Theater, a children’s theater at 1950 E. Greyhound Pass in Carmel, offers four summer camp options for children ages 4-18.

Theater’s founder and artistic director. “It is focused on giving children an introduction to theater.”

Musical in a Week, for ages 11-18, is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 8-12 and June 22-26. This year, the musical is “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

“Children send in a video audition — they just have to sing a little song — and we cast the show before they show up,” Baltz said. “The hope is that they’ll show up knowing their role and lines, and by Friday they do a full show. This camp is much more intensive, and they learn a lot of skills like how to memorize lines and choreography.”

CAMPS

CAMPS OFFERED

STRIKER / FINISHING GOALKEEPER

STRIKER / FINISHING GOALKEEPER

This year’s Musical Theater Camp, which is “Wicked” themed, will be held June 8-12, June 15-19 and June 22-26. There are morning and afternoon options for ages 4-6 from either 9 a.m. to noon or noon to 3 p.m., and ages 7-10 attend from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

BEGINNER SKILLS

BEGINNER SKILLS

RAY GADDIS SKILLS

RAY GADDIS SKILLS

BALLMASTERY / 1 V 1

BALLMASTERY / 1 V 1

“They run through different stations each day — dance, acting, vocal and the backstage component of theater — and there’s games throughout the day,” said Laura Baltz, The Point

The Point Theater also offers Improv Camp July 6-10. Children aged 11-13 attend from 9 a.m. to noon and children aged 14-18 attend from 1 to 4 p.m. The camp focuses on improvisational theater to help children learn to think on their feet, develop

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comedic timing and build confidence through improv games.

There also is a Play in a Day camp beginning at 9:30 a.m. June 17 for ages 11-18. This year’s play is “The Audition.”

“They send in an audition, and we cast it ahead of time,” Baltz said. “We rehearse all day, and then parents come in at 4 p.m. and watch the performance. So again, it’s a really intensive day, participants learn a lot about characterization and blocking, how to build a role quickly and working with other people on stage.”

For more, visit thepointtheater.org/ camps.

Civic Theatre at 3 Carter Green also offers a variety of summer camps for all ages.

Little Stages Camp, for ages 4-5, engages students in creative activities based around the 2026 Jr. Civic presentation of “SHREK The Musical.” The camp is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. June 1518 and is $225. A final presentation will be held at 11 a.m. June 18.

Musical Theatre Mini-Camp, for ages 6-7, is from 12:30 to 3 p.m. June

15-18, with a final presentation at 2:30 p.m. June 18. The camp, which is $275, delivers the same elements as the Musical Theatre Camp for older students in a compact package for aspiring actors, singers and dancers.

Jr. Civic Musical Theatre Camp, a $500 camp for ages 8-14, is held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 6-10 or July 13-17. The camp will immerse students in a high energy learning experience consisting of instruction in acting, singing and dancing, culminating in a performance at the end of each week.

Jr. Civic Musical Theatre Intensive Camp is for experienced students ages 10-14. It is $450 and will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 9-12.

Using a curriculum designed to enhance existing skills and accelerate technique, campers will be challenged in the three core disciplines of musical theatre — acting, singing and dancing.

Students must submit an application to enroll in this camp. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 28, and applicants will be notified by March 13.

For more, visit civictheatre.org.

Kick out of soccer camps

By Alicia Kelly alicia@youarecurrent.com

Young athletes across central Indiana will have several opportunities to sharpen their soccer skills this summer through camps offered by USA of Indiana.

The organization’s summer programming will focus on skill development rather than competition, with specialized camps for strikers, goalkeepers, ball mastery and 1-on-1 play, as well as a beginner skills camp for newcomers to the sport.

Mariana Mesa, club administrator for USA of Indiana, said the camps are open to players ages 7 to 18 and will run in three- to four-week sessions, meeting for about an hour per session. While the organization also serves younger “tots” in other programming, the summer camps will focus on older youth.

Mesa said the goal is to help players grow, whether they are just starting out or have years of experience.

“These camps are designed to allow

kids to hone their skills and learn a little bit more,” she said. “Even if they’re on the recreational side, just starting out, never played, or even if they have been playing for a while, they can still get all the skills built up.”

Sessions will be held primarily at the Mary & John Geisse Soccer Complex on East 56th Street, near the Indianapolis Colts’ practice facility, and will serve families in both Pike Township and Hendricks County areas.

Unlike the organization’s seasonal leagues, the camps will not include games. Instead, coaches will lead structured drills and skill-building exercises in a supervised environment.

“For our camps, we provide a safe environment, a fun environment for them to learn soccer as well as have qualified soccer coaches to teach the kids the fundamentals,” Mesa said. “Our aim is to help them get better, not just in soccer, but in life as well, because our motto is, ‘we teach more than just a game’.”

For more, visit usaofindiana.org.

More than just summer fun, camp is where kids celebrate achievements and discover a place they can truly belong.

Swimming, sports, and outdoor play

Creative art and STEM projects

Field trips

And so much more!

YMCA gives summer camp a model venue

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

Ascension St. Vincent Westfield YMCA is the newest in the Indianapolis area, having opened in January 2025, and offers a wide variety of summer camps.

YMCA facilities offer traditional and discovery camps. The Westfield YMCA hosts traditional camps.

“What I do love the most when we open a new facility like this is the feeling of ownership, that feeling of kids getting a chance to come there every day,” said Desiree Brandon Gouveia, the YMCA’s director of Camps & Family Programs. “You can see when they feel at home

Locally, discovery camps are offered at the Fishers YMCA. Traditional and discovery camps usually incorporate aspects of STEAM learning.

The Westfield YMCA has facilities

that enhance traditional camp experiences, such as fenced-in outdoor space and large studios for indoor activities. Its Olympic-size Westfield Washington Aquatic Center also is one of the best facilities of hits kind in the Greater Indianapolis area.

“One of the big assets is that (campers) get to swim, and they also have enrichment clinics that are available,” Brandon-Gouveia said. “We also have swim lessons that families can tap into and be able to have their kid learn how to swim and become a better swimmer while they’re at our camp.”

Brandon-Gouveia said enrichment clinics are offered on- and off-site.

“That is really awesome about our camps at Westfield,” Brandon-Gouveia said. “We have the ability for families to add on a piece to their

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child’s day. And so, enrichments are generally three to four hours in a day, and we have varying different enrichments that are available out in all of our camps.”

Brandon-Gouveia said enrichments include visiting park area parks and playing miniature golf, laser tag and organized water games in the YMCA pool. She said some STEAM activities are offered at the traditional camp.

“If (parents) are looking for fun STEAM but also have a chance for their kids to experience other things, Westfield traditional camp really would be a great spot for them to be in,” Brandon-Gouveia said. “They’re still going to get some STEAM activities. It’s just not the complete focus of the camp.”

Brandon-Gouveia said the YMCA is proud to give children a place where they can expand their horizons.

“It is the chance for kids to learn more about themselves,” Brandon-Gouveia said. “We have kids who come in and have great days and kids who are dealing with the world on their shoulders. I think that’s one of the reasons why this fits into what the YMCA is trying to do. We try to give a place where people belong, where we love and serve and care for our com -

munity, and kids are a part of that as well.”

Cost for traditional camp is $198 for members and $257 for nonmembers per week. Discover camps are for ages 5-12 and take place June 1-July 24. Cost is $176 per week for members and $234 per week for nonmembers.

For more, visit indymca.org/ landing_pages/summer-camp/.

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DISCIPLINE AND DREAMS

Dance academies offer summer camp experiences

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Several Hamilton County dance academies will host summer camps this year. Whether a child is taking introductory classes or training at high, intensive levels, summer camps can offer a rigorous yet rewarding experience.

CENTRAL INDIANA ACADEMY OF DANCE

Central Indiana Academy of Dance at 14950 Greyhound Ct. in Carmel offers themed camps in addition to summer intensives.

For children ages 2 1/2 through 6, each week of camp features a theme like “Frozen” from 9 a.m. to noon. The camp, held on several days through -

out June and July, is $155 per week. Ashley Jacobs, co-owner and director of Central Indiana Academy of Dance, said it is a good introduction to dance.

“The campers get to do a little mini performance at the end of the week with themed songs,” Jacobs said. “They get to do crafts and have snacks every day, and it’s a good introduction to movement and rhythm in general.”

The academy’s Youth Ballet Summer Intensive is from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 6-10. Dancers will participate in ballet, jazz, contemporary and modern classes, among other styles. A showcase will commence at the end of camp.

The intensive is for any dancer with one or more years of ballet training or any current academy student in levels 1 through 3A. Jacobs said it helps students immerse themselves

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in ballet technique while branching out to other styles. Cost is $340, and registration closes June 5.

Registration also is open for Central Indiana Dance Ensemble’s Summer Intensive June 8-18. Central Indiana Dance Ensemble is the academy’s preprofessional ballet company.

The two-week intensive, which features guest teachers, is for children 10 and older or Central Indiana Academy of Dance students in levels 3B-9.

“A lot of our dancers take it to improve their technique and learn from new instructors, and there’s a performance with that as well,” Jacobs said. “We also will have seminars discussing nutrition and injury prevention to help them learn about taking care of their bodies in the dance world.”

Registration for the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble’s Summer Intensive closes May 8.

For more, visit ciaodance.com.

INDIANA BALLET CONSERVATORY

Indiana Ballet Conservatory at 849 W. Carmel Dr. offers three camp options — a Summer Intensive for ages 9 and older, a Young Dancers Intensive for ages 6-9 and Fairytale Camp for ages 3-5.

Fairytale Camp, a $125 camp held from 9 a.m. to noon June 1-5, June 8-12 and June 15-19, gives students the same ballet education offered in the summer intensive, with consideration for age-appropriate time and class content.

Business Operations Manager Chris Lingner said it is an introduction to ballet and creativity.

“They will use movement and fairytale storytelling to learn how movement tells a story,” Lingner said. “They also will do arts and crafts, and at the end of each week, they will do a showcase of everything they’ve learned.”

The Young Dancers Intensive, held from 9 a.m. to noon June 1-5, June 8-12 and June 15-19 gives students

Indiana Ballet Conservatory’s Young Dancers Intensive gives students indepth training in ballet technique. (Photo courtesy of Indiana Ballet Conservatory)

in-depth training in ballet technique, pre-pointe and conditioning. Students learn and familiarize themselves with various styles of dance and participate in seminars about nutrition, costume history, injury prevention and stage makeup.

Linger said the camp, which is $200 a week, is designed with more discipline than the Fairytale Camp.

“It’s designed to give the more serious student preparations for our pre-professional division,” Lingner said. “They’ll do some jazz and contemporary in addition to ballet, and they start conditioning, which is a big part of what we do. We start teaching that early to protect them from injury.”

The Summer Intensive has various date options available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in June and July, with the opportunity to participate for two or three weeks for $500 or five weeks for $2,000. Students must audition to participate.

“We bring in world class guest faculty to supplement our own faculty,” Lingner said. “The camp is for a serious dancer that really wants to take their skills to the next level. They get the conditioning. They get proper ballet class, point work and contemporary. At the end, there is a showcase that we do at Carmel Middle School that’s absolutely free and open to the public. It tends to be a favorite amongst the community.”

For more, visit indianaballetconservatory.org.

Local schools become multifunctional hubs

By David Jacobs david@youarecurrent.com

From Minecraft and LEGO to cross country and pickleball, local summer camps cater to a variety of interests for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade.

With spring break approaching and the academic year ending in a few months, private schools across the area are preparing for summer camps hosted on their campuses.

Camp Cathedral at Cathedral High School, Summer U at University High School and The Summer Experience at Park Tudor will host camps with prices ranging from $20 to nearly $400.

Half-day and full-day options are available at each camp. Summer U also has a few full-day options.

“A lot of people like to do the halfday sessions, so they’ll be over in the sports camp, have lunch and then

Students test their robots on a challenge course during a STEM session at Camp Cathedral. (Photo courtesy of Cathedral High School)

they’ll come over and might do a STEM camp,” said Meredith Van Rooy, University High School’s summer program coordinator. “They’re weeklong,

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so in one week, every morning would be sports and then every afternoon would be Minecraft.”

Camp Cathedral follows a weeklong schedule for its nearly 80 offerings.

“We try to keep our enrichment small and have limits on the number of kids that can sign up for each camp,” camp director Anthony Ernst said. “The hands-on opportunity they get to interact with a teacher and Cathedral students is much more beneficial when there are only 10 to 15 kids in that camp versus 45.”

Van Rooy is entering her third year at Summer U, where her focus on learning is the priority when curating curricula.

“We’ve tried to grow our variety over the past few years,” she said. “I’m aware we’re still used as a day care, but I think it’s important that enrichment is happening within these camps. That’s one of the goals we have. We want them to have fun, and we want this to be a good experience for them.”

Camps are open to anyone within the age range, regardless of the

school they attend during the year.

Spots are filling up fast for both Summer U and Camp Cathedral, but Park Tudor does not begin registration until March.

“Traditionally, families seek out when our registration is going to open, and it fills very quickly,” Ernst said. “This year’s camps are looking very good. We’ve had several camps sell out already, but waitlists do exist. If the camps are going to sell out, they’re going to sell out in February

SUMMER CAMP

Campers play outdoor sports activity during Summer U at University High School. The program offers half-day and full-day sessions, allowing students to pair a morning sports camp with an afternoon enrichment session like STEM or Minecraft. (Photo courtesy of University High School)

and March. We still have room in several of our camps, and our sports camps are wide open.”

Summer U does not expect to sell out until the end of March or April.

For more, visit the following websites:

• Camp Cathedral: gocathedral. com/admissions/camp-cathedral

• Summer U: universityhighschool. org/academics/summer

• The Summer Experience at Park Tudor: parktudor.org/summer

SUMMER AT ISI

Summer camps offer STEAM innovation

Redstone circuits to light up lamps and trigger mechanisms like traps, automatic doors and repeaters.”

Summer at ISI offers students engaging, hands-on camps that foster learning, confidence, and friendships. Programs include Lower School language camps (French, Mandarin, Spanish, and Arabic), Amazing Athletes, and enrichment camps, as well as Upper School athletic programs and the Inspirit AI Program in partnership with Stanford and MIT gradu

Local programs use Minecraft, video games and forensic science to teach engineering

By Megan Dial news@youarecurrent.com

Numerous science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics — or STEAM — summer camps throughout Indianapolis are preparing children for their future through engaging, educational projects.

Indy STEM Camps utilize Minecraft to teach children engineering concepts.

“There are numerous features within Minecraft that model engineering concepts,” said Matt Mulholland, Indy STEM Camps director and founder. “One example is a material called Redstone that operates like electricity. Campers can build functioning

Children also learn soft skills such as teamwork and creativity.

“Minecraft is the ultimate sandbox game. This means that the activities, adventures and in-game lessons presented to campers are far more open-ended than the standards-based and structured curriculum that students experience during the school year,” Mulholland said.

“Because our camps emphasize social interactions, it is absolutely necessary for campers to learn to work together to solve problems. This introduces conflict resolution and team building in a way that directly mirrors the real world. As we like to say at Indy STEM Camps, the best kind of learning occurs when you don’t even realize you are learning something.

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Playing Minecraft creates just this type of experience for children.”

Indy STEM Camps are offered in Zionsville, Westfield, Indianapolis and Fishers between June 1 and July 24. For more, visit indystemcamps.com.

At iCode Fishers, children learn about coding through gaming experiences.

“Students aren’t just writing code— they’re creating games, animations and programs they care about,” said Lauren Gehle, iCode Fishers’ marketing manager. “Our instructors break concepts into manageable steps and celebrate progress along the way, so campers feel capable and motivated from Day 1. We have a variety of levels of coding, customizable for a wide range of students’ comfortability and compatibility.”

Campers combine coding skills with creativity.

“They learn by doing and being, which makes concepts stick and builds genuine excitement around STEM,” Gehle said. “One of the most exciting moments is when campers design and build their own video

game from scratch. They create characters, design levels and program how everything works. By the end of camp, they have a finished game they can share with friends and family, which is incredibly rewarding.”

iCode summer camps are offered weekly between May 25 and Aug. 8. For more, visit icodeschool.com/ fishers.

The National Inventors Hall of Fame hosts Camp Invention, where children can practice becoming creators, innovators and entrepreneurs.

“Camp Invention has just the right

Camp Invention encourages creativity and teamwork.

(Photo courtesy of Camp Inventiont)

balance of structure and freedom,” said Corey Nielsen, Camp Invention’s marketing coordinator. “There’s a clear framework, but within that, kids are encouraged to be creative and explore their own ideas.”

“This summer’s program is called Spark, and it’s packed with four experiences that campers work on throughout the week,” Nielsen said. Modules include:

• Fur-ensics: Campers team up with a robotic capybara to investigate mischievous animal pranks, exploring fingerprints,

DNA and forensic science.

• Make Waves: Campers explore entrepreneurship through physics experiments, prototype pitching and creative marketing as they turn ideas into market-ready inventions.

• The Infringers: Campers learn how to protect their ideas by exploring cryptography, security technology and intellectual property.

• Space Morphers: Campers design and transform a new planet by building rockets, racing rovers and creating inventions to survive extreme environments.

“Each module is tailored to the various age groups. Campers work on each of the four modules each day and build gradually. We’ve found that approach helps them retain what they’re learning. It also ensures that if a camper misses a day, they don’t miss an entire experience,” Nielsen said.

Camp Invention is offered in Zionsville, Indianapolis and Fishers at various points in June and July. For more, visit invent.org/programs/ camp-invention.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Westfield, Zionsville offers diverse summer programming lineup course, music.

By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com

Westfield’s Grand Junction Plaza was the place to be in the evenings and on weekends when it first opened. But there wasn’t much happening during the day, especially in the summer for families with children.

Enter the Kids Summer Series. The first iterations featured interactive concerts and musicians for children.

“That was really born out of feedback from the community,” said Kayla Arnold, communications director for the City of Westfield.

Today, the free summer programming features a wide variety, including magicians, exotic animals, and of

SUMMER CAMPS

June 8 - 12 | College Park Ministry Center, Carmel

June 15 - 19 | Carmel United Methodist Church

June 22 - 26 | St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Zionsville

New afternoon option for Half-Day Campers

Half Day | Ages 4-6 | 9 a.m.-noon OR noon-3p.m. Full Day | Ages 7-10 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

June 8 - 12 and June 22 - 26 Ages 11-18 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. University High School Theater, Carmel

Kids Summer Series is 9:30-11 a.m. on Tuesdays starting June 2.

Creek Stomps also return this summer as kids explore the Grassy Branch Creek.

Armed with a net and bucket, children can learn what lives in the creek.

The Thursday morning sessions begin May 28 and run through July 30. Each one is from 10 to 11 a.m. Cost is $5 per week.

The program is also accessible to those who cannot walk down to the creek.

To register, visit https:// in-westfield.civicplus.com/231/ Programming.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

The Boys & Girls Club of Boone County will again offer its summer day camps at all locations and specialty camps.

For regular summer campers, they’ll have access to all spaces at the Boys & Girls Club units. There are also weekly field trips like the movies, splash pads and parks.

These camps are open to all children ages 5-18, regardless of residence. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Specialty camps offer the opportunity for children to travel outside the area.

by Don Zolidis

July 6 -10 Ages 11-13 | 9 a.m.-noon Ages 14-18 | 1-4 p.m. CrossRoads Church. Westfield Ages 11-18 | 9:30 a.m. | 4 p.m. Show Marian University Theater

For example, a two-week travel camp features trips to Columbian Park Zoo and Malibu Jacks in Lafayette, Urban Air trampoline park and the Indianapolis Zoo.

Eric Richards, the club’s CEO, said the specialty camps are popular.

“My litmus test is my kids (who are in the club),” he said. “They love them.”

A two-week water park camp features trips to five different water parks including ones in West Lafayette, Plainfield, Marion and Kokomo.

“That’s the whole goal; they travel out of Central Indiana,” Richards said.

Camps range between $200 and $400 depending on membership. Scholarships are available to those who qualify.

For more, visit bgcboone.org/ programs/camps/.

SULLIVANMUNCE

SullivanMunce Cultural Center will offer a variety of youth and teen art camps throughout June and July.

There are three different youth drama/art camps, themes include fairy tales, create- your-own monsters and mythical quests. Camps are June 8-12, June 15-19 and July 13-17. There are full- and half-day options for each.

Drama camps give kids the opportunity to create their own props and perform for their parents at the end of the week.

“They have more leeway in their creative expression,” said Cynthia

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Young, executive director of SullivanMunce.

There’s also an all-day youth art camp, June 22-26, where artists use different mediums.

The Teeny Tiny Art camp, set for July 27-31, brings the opportunity of making small art to kids. The camp is inspired by last year’s popular Teeny Tiny Art Market.

The all-day camp will have kids work with multiple mediums to create pieces no larger than 6 x 6 inches.

All youth camps are for kids ages 7-11.

SullivanMunce will offer a variety of art camps for both youth and teens throughout June and July. (Photos courtesy of SullivanMunce)

Our summer programs are open to all Central Indiana students from pre-kindergarten to grade 12, and offer a great introduction to the extraordinary opportunities available at Park Tudor.

From Cub Camp for 3 & 4 year-olds to options for high school students, Park Tudor summer programs offer something for everyone – arts & crafts, sports, performing arts, science, literature, chess & gaming, and more!

For teens, there is a ceramics camp — July 6-10 or 20-24 — a mixed media camp — July 6-10 — and a fiber arts camp from July 20-24. Camps are half days.

Teen camps are open to kids ages 12-17.

To register, visit sullivanmunce.org, call 317-873-4900 or email info@sullivanmunce.org.

ZIONSVILLE EAGLE RECREATION & ENRICHMENT

Zionsville Eagle Recreation & Enrichment will offer more than 100 different camps for kids of all ages.

Camps include art, nature, sports, engineering, Minecraft, robotics and

Registration starts March 2 for summer camps through Zionsville Eagle Recreation & Enrichment, which will offer more than 100 camps. (Photo courtesy of Zionsville Eagle Recreation & Enrichment)

foreign language.

Ann Hall, manager for Eagle Recreation, said 5,000 attended camps last year.

“Because Zionsville doesn’t have a community center, we’re known as the community resource for summer camps … and enrichment classes,” she said.

Registration opens March 2 for all Eagle Enrichment camps. Visit zionsvilleeaglerec.com/.

Camps run June 8 through July 24 during the day.

Camps pair resources with outdoor fun

By Alicia Kelly alicia@youarecurrent.com

On any given summer day, campers in Indianapolis can be found scaling a rock wall, paddling across a lake or sounding out syllables with a tutor — all in the name of confidence.

Two local programs, Jameson Camp and Camp Delafield, operated by the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana, are blending traditional camp experiences with special ized support designed to help children thrive academically and socially.

For nearly 100 years, Jameson Camp has offered overnight sessions on its wooded cam pus at 2001 Bridge port Road. The camp serves youth ages 7 to 17 in six-day, five-night sessions running Sunday through Friday. About 525 campers attended last year, with roughly 90 children participating each week.

The nonprofit operates with a 1-to5 counselor-to-camper ratio and includes behavioral specialists on staff to assist children with ADHD, anxiety, depression and other diagnoses.

“About half of our kids that come to camp have a diagnosis like that, half of our kids that come to camp don’t,” said Zach White, the camp’s development director. “We operate camp with all of those kids having a shared experience, but with some additional support in place.”

Campers stay in air-conditioned cabins with attached bathrooms and spend their days choosing activities such as archery, fishing and rock climbing. The camp is technology-free, a feature White said builds independence.

Across town, Camp Delafield takes a different — but complementary — approach to summer growth.

The monthlong day camp is for children 7 to 12 at Colonial Hills

School in Indianapolis. The program runs June 1 through July 2, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays until noon.

Mornings are devoted to academics, including daily one-on-one Orton-Gillingham tutoring and small group instruction in reading comprehension, written expression and math. Afternoons feature swimming, outdoor play, art and STEM activities.

Katie Eynon, a tutor with the institute, said the balance is intentional.

“We have the academic mornings, and then the fun, play-filled afternoons,” Eynon said. “So, the kids get a reward for all their efforts.”

Camp Delafield maintains roughly a 5-to-1 camper-to-teacher ratio in small groups, with each child receiving an hour of individualized tutoring daily. Enrollment typically ranges from 60 to 65 campers.