February 24, 2026 — Current in Fishers & Geist

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Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. XVI, No. 6

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FEBRUARY & MARCH DINE IN DEALS!

MON: 20%

Local church hosts services for Buzbee

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Family, friends and supporters of the Buzbee family gathered Feb. 12 for a celebration of life for Hailey Buzbee, a 17-year-old Fishers girl who died after she disappeared from her home in early January.

During the hourlong service at iTown Church, attendees heard from several people, including Hailey Buzbee’s uncle, Mark Miranda, who said Hailey was one of the most thoughtful people he has ever known.

the dimples that she never lost. … She was her daddy’s princess and loved wearing princess dresses everywhere, whether appropriate or not.”

Miranda said Hailey made breakfast sandwiches with buffalo sauce and always tucked her little sister in at night. She loved animals and glitter eyeshadow, and planned to study journalism at Indiana University in Bloomington.

“I want to paint just part of a picture of who she was in her early years,” Miranda said. “She was playful, full of joy and twirling and dancing in her grandparents’ living room in Beech Grove. She liked library time with her grandma, who was probably her favorite person — likely because Stephanie Buzbee is a walking-on-earth angel. She always had curly pigtails to match

“Though her life was short, her love will radiate in her homes, in our communities, in our state, across the nation,” he said. “And Hailey, I want you to know that your daddy loves you dearly. In his words — the changes we make together will be rooted in the love Hailey brought into the world during her time with us.”

Pastor Chris Colea read a letter from Hailey’s father, Beau Buzbee.

“I want you to know that Rania, Sabria and I know how much you loved us,” Buzbee wrote. “Please guide me as

I try my best to tuck in your sister the way you did every night. And sweetheart, we are at peace knowing that you know just how much you continue to be loved. I know the teenage years were tough at times, but you navigated them with such grace and strength. Like so many others, you may have felt alone at times despite the love that surrounded you, but I want you to know this wasn’t your fault, and today, I’m here to show you that you are never alone and you never will be.”

Mayor Scott Fadness also spoke, noting that the love Hailey’s family has for her has been contagious.

“It’s incredible to me to see, over the last several days, some of the most difficult conversations I have ever had in my life with their family, how Hailey has always been at the center of it — not what happened to Hailey, but who Hailey was,” Fadness said.

Fadness has declared February “Go Pink for Hailey Month.”

Ohio man faces federal charges

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Tyler Thomas, the 39-year-old Ohio man arrested in January on charges related to the disappearance and death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee, now faces federal exploitation charges.

In a federal criminal complaint that was unsealed following a Feb. 10 hearing, Thomas was charged with sexually exploiting a minor and traveling interstate with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. If convicted, he would face up to 30 years in prison on each count. Local charges against Thomas for pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor will be dismissed and the case will proceed

in federal court.

“The filing of these federal charges does not signal the end of the investigation,” U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II stated in a news release. “Our prosecutors continue to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to collect and comb through evidence in pursuit of justice for Hailey and her family.”

Thomas

FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie confirmed that the FBI investigation is ongoing.

“While we are deeply saddened that we cannot bring Hailey home, we are committed to holding accountable anyone involved in the crimes against her,” he stated.

Thomas allegedly met Buzbee online

playing video games, including Roblox and League of Legends. According to charging documents, Thomas traveled from Columbus to Indiana late Jan. 5 into Jan. 6 to pick up the victim and drive her back to Ohio.

Cellphone analysis allegedly reveals Thomas traveled to an Airbnb in Logan, Ohio, on the afternoon of Jan. 6. At approximately 9:25 a.m., Jan. 7, Thomas’s phone data shows he traveled near the North Country Trail Trailhead in Wayne National Forest, where the victim’s remains were later located. The phone remained in that location until approximately 2:15 p.m.

During a forensic review of Thomas’s cellphone, agents allegedly identified deleted communications and interactions between Thomas and the victim.

HSE board split on proposed meeting policy

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

more clarity and would like to sit in on the meeting, this policy allows them to go do that.”

Following a long discussion Feb. 11, the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees postponed action on a proposed policy that would codify board members’ ability to observe district-level meetings that result in board action — with some board members expressing concern that such a policy could result in micromanagement and others arguing that it’s necessary to make fully informed votes.

During board discussion, Board Member Ben Orr said he didn’t feel the policy was ready for a vote. He wanted more guardrails to make sure future board members wouldn’t abuse the power.

“I think while we, all seven of us, may understand the intent of the policy, future boards may not,” he said. “The language has to be correct and clean for any future board that would sit here and use this policy, essentially, in a way, to do more administration than governance.”

Board Member Latricia Schooley noted that the policy has been worked on since October, with plenty of time for board members and administration to provide input.

“We are supposed to do oversight and we’re relinquishing our roles that we’re elected to if we do not commit to doing oversight,” she said. “As we know, policies are living documents. We are able to change them. So, at some point, if someone were to take advantage of this policy, it could be brought back, amended and changed, but we could do what-ifs and what-abouts for another four months.”

Board Member Suzanne Thomas added that the policy specifies that it applies only to district-level decisions that board members will vote on.

“Nobody wants to get in the weeds or into operations,” she said. “But, if there is district-level conversation of planning for something that we are being proactive for, we’re preparing for, and a board member feels that they need

Board Member Dawn Lang said she has “grave concerns” about how the policy is written. She said it could be used by future boards to dip too far into administrative duties rather than leaving that to administration. She added that a board member’s presence can change the dynamics of a discussion.

“Even as observers, our presence changes how staff will work and who they feel accountable to day-to-day,” she said. “It undercuts the superintendent’s ability to lead through clear delegation and accountability.”

The policy as presented Feb. 11 stated that “every member must have comprehensive access to the information and deliberations that inform district policy and major operational decisions.”

The proposed policy language stated that any board member has the right to attend, in person, all district committee meetings, ad-hoc committee meetings or other official proceedings.

“For the purposes of this policy, this includes any gathering of a majority of the members of a district-established committee, task force or advisory group whose recommendation will result in official board action and will affect the entirety of the district,” the policy specified. “The role of a board member attending a meeting described above will be as a non-voting observer. Their presence is for the purpose of gathering information to ensure informed decision-making at the full board level.”

The policy stipulated that it does not apply to meetings that are legally protected from public disclosure, and that any notes taken by a board member must be provided to the rest of the board at least 48 hours before the next board meeting.

Assistant Superintendent Matt Kegley supported a delay to review and revise the policy language. It will go back to the board policy committee for clarifications before a board vote.

Fishers 6th-grader a 2026 Riley Champion

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

A Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate Junior High School sixth-grader was recognized Feb. 11 by the HSE Board of Trustees after she was named a 2026 Riley Champion for her commitment to helping others during her own medical journey.

Hannah Ginther, 11, was born with half a heart and had a lifesaving heart transplant at Riley Hospital for Children when she was only 3 years old. Since then, she and her family have remained closely connected to Riley, according to the agenda packet for the board meeting.

“Inspired by activities that brought her comfort during long hospital stays, the Ginther family donates Play-Doh to the Riley Cheer Guild to support other patients and Hannah has shared her story to encourage families walking similar paths,” the district stated. “Now 11 years old, Hannah is thriving. She plays volleyball and basketball, cheers on her sisters at their games and embraces life with the same joy and re-

silience that led to her recognition as a Riley Champion.”

A post on the Riley website states that Hannah was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and on top of that had only one functioning lung. She had three surgeries before the heart transplant.

“It was the biggest span of emotions I have ever felt at once for so many rea-

sons when we found out she was getting a new heart,” her father, Kevin, stated. “It was a magical night.”

After the transplant, Hannah stayed at the Heart Center at Riley Hospital for three months, spending time on a heart-lung life support machine. She had three more stays at Riley over the next year and a half before turning a corner at 5 years old, the web post stated.

The pediatric transplant team, including coordinators Maegan Boehm and Debra Murphy, helped the Ginthers through the transplant process. Boehm nominated Hannah for the Riley Champions program.

“Hannah and her family live life to the fullest,” Boehm stated. “Hannah herself is always smiling, dancing, singing and just being her sassy self.”

Riley Champions are usually between 8 and 18, have shown a desire to give back and are comfortable sharing their medical journeys with the public. Eleven Riley Champions have been named for 2026.

For more, visit rileykids.org/getinvolved/ nominate-a-riley-champion.

DISPATCHES

 Community Center accepting ‘SilverSneakers’ — The Fishers Community Center is now accepting insurance-based memberships, such as SilverSneakers, Renew Active, Silver&Fit and Active&Fit. Insurance-based memberships provide the same access as regular memberships, but fees are processed directly through the member’s insurance. For more, visit fisherscommunitycenter. com/insurance.

 College fair set — Area high school students can attend the Greater Indianapolis Northside College Fair from 6 to 8 p.m. March 11 at the Carmel High School Greyhound Activity Center, 2400 E. Smoky Row. The free event will provide college information with more than 100 colleges and universities represented. Students are encouraged to register in advance at StriveFair.com. Registered students will receive a barcode to more easily share information with admission reps.

Cole files for HD37

news@currentinfishers.com

Democrat Lauren Cole has filed to run in the primary election for House District 37, the seat currently held by Rep. Todd Huston (R-Fishers).

Cole, a Fishers resident and senior coordinator in medical affairs at LabCorp Biopharma, stated in a news release that she is “running to represent working families who feel left behind by a system that too often prioritizes special interests over the needs of local communities.”

She stated that she supports strengthening public education and increasing transparency.

“As someone who works in health care and sees the real-world effects of policy decisions, I know how important it is to invest in our communities,” she stated. “We can build a stronger Indiana by supporting our public schools, protecting workers and making government more open and accountable.”

Cole, who is new to politics, stated she will focus on listening to voters and giving a voice to people who feel ignored by the political system.

Cole will join Cicero resident Joel Levi on the May 5 Democratic primary ballot. Huston is uncontested in his bid for the Republican nomination.

For more, visit Cole’s Facebook page, facebook.com/profile. php?id=61588243042993.

DISPATCH

 AARP grants application open — AARP Indiana is accepting applications through March 6 from nonprofits and governments for its 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant program. Grant amounts range from $2,500 to $25,000 and fund projects that make communities more livable. Projects will be considered if they serve the needs of people 50 and older, improve public places, transportation, walkability and pedestrian safety, among other criteria. For more, visit aarp.org/livable-communities/ community-challenge.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Monday, March 2 | 8:30 – 10 a m

Theater at Fishers Municipal Center | Free 2026 DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH KICK-OFF

FISHERS ARTS COUNCIL’S SECOND FRIDAY: MARCH DISABILITY

AWARENESS EXHIBITION

Friday, March 13 | 6 – 9 p m

Fishers Art Center Gallery | Free

INDY IGNITE DEAF & HARD OF HEARING NIGHT

2026 MARCH DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH

Learn more and register for events at FishersIN.gov/DisabilityAwareness.

Thursday, March 19 | 8 p m

Fishers Event Center | Tickets required

FOR EMPLOYERS: OPENING DOORS TO EMPLOYMENT BREAKFAST

Tuesday, March 24 | 7:30 – 9:30 a m

Theater at Fishers Municipal Center Free | Registration required

FISHERS POWER SOCCER EXHIBITION

Saturday, March 28 | 5 – 6:30 p.m.

Fishers Community Center, Strengthened by IU Health | Free

FISHERS PARKS’ STORYWALK: MONSTER HANDS

Daily in March | Brooks School Park

ADAPTIVE SWIM LESSONS

Every Saturday | Fishers Community Center

Various prices | Registration required

HAMILTON EAST PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENTS & WORKSHOPS

Various date & times | Details at HamiltonEastPL.org

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

Cathedral High School students in the 1980s attend class taught by Sister

is still

Cathedral celebrates 50 years of women

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Cathedral High School is marking a milestone in 2026 — 50 years ago, the private boy’s Catholic school joined forces with Ladywood School for Girls, creating a coed Catholic school education in the Greater Indianapolis area.

The school is celebrating “50 Years of Women” this year, focusing on the generations of women educators and students who have contributed to the school’s success.

Cathedral Director of Marketing Grace Trahan-Rodecap said that in 1976, when the all-boys Cathedral in downtown Indianapolis and the all-girls Ladywood on 56th Street were both struggling with enrollment, school leaders knew they had to do something.

“Some really smart people got together and decided the best way to save both schools would be to combine them,” she said. “And so, the young men who were downtown at Cathedral came here to 56th Street and the schools combined. It was a way to save both schools and to ensure that the young men and the young ladies would be able to continue with an outstanding Catholic education.”

Trahan-Rodecap said it was a brave move and there were some challenges as students used to only girls or only boys adjusted to the coed setting. But, she said, the bet paid off and the new school has prospered. The first year of coed classes was 1976, with an enrollment of 615 students — 63 percent boys and 37 percent girls. Trahan-Rodecap said enrollment now is 1,103, with an even split of girls and boys.

“I think what helped it to be successful is that it was grounded in our faith,” she said. “At the end of the day, the mis-

sion was to transform the hearts and minds of the students to have the competence to see and the courage to act — that is part of our mission statement — and grounded in our Catholic Holy Cross values. At the end of the day, everyone had the same goal in mind. And I think that’s why the school became (and) continues to be successful”

The 50 Years of Women celebration kicked off in January with a special mass. Trahan-Rodecap said a school alumnus, Victoria Schneider-Temple, donated commemorative baseball caps for every woman — students and educators — who attended the event.

In mid-February, in honor of Black History Month, the school hosted Dorothy Pipes, who graduated in 1945 from St. Agnes Academy in downtown Indianapolis, one of Cathedral’s precursors. St. Agnes merged with Ladywood in 1970, six years before Ladywood combined with Cathedral boys’ school.

“She’s 99 years old. She’s phenomenal,” Trahan-Rodecap said of Pipes. “I can only hope that I have that energy if I’m blessed to live that long. It was so enlightening to hear her story and to hear what it was like then when she was in high school.”

In addition, the school’s show choir has a special program this year honoring women trailblazers, such as Rosa Parks, St Joan of Arc, Amelia Earhart and Marie Curie.

Coming up is the school’s annual fundraiser, the ShamrAuction, which this year will fund renovations in the girls’ locker room. The event, themed “A League of Their Own,” is set for 5:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Cathedral. For more and to register, visit gocathedral.com/ giving/events.

For more about the 50-year celebration, visit gocathedral.com/50-years.

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:

unionfcindy.org/zysarecsoccer

COME TO OUR ZYSA OPEN HOUSE AND LEARN MORE

SATURDAY, MARCH 14 at 1-3PM

ZYSA

Wolf’s 2 titles boost FHS

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Fishers High School girls swimming coach Joe Keller watched as youth was served.

The Tigers, featuring several top freshmen, finished in a tie with Fort Wayne Carroll with 227 points Feb. 14 in the IHSAA girls state swimming and diving finals at the Indiana University Natatorium at IU Indianapolis. Carmel won its 40th consecutive state title with 326.5 points.

style champion in 4:43.25.

“I was really happy to get it done for my team,” said Wolf, who also was on the thirdplace 200 freestyle relay.

Keller said Wolf might have gone a little faster.

“This group of freshmen we brought is a pretty inexperienced group, but they earned their Tiger stripes,” Keller said. “We always talked about a culture of experience. If you come in every day and do it when it matters most in a meet like this, that’s when success happens. We’re excited about this team. I’m proud of them and believe in them. In 35 years, I’ve had some really good teams, and I don’t necessarily believe in them the way I believe in this team.”

FHS junior Emily Wolf led the way by winning the 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 45.84 seconds, and repeated as the 500 free-

“We thought those state records were in reach, but that leaves something for next year,” Keller said. “She’s a big reason this team keeps making strides.”

Wolf’s younger sister, freshman Audrey Wolf, was eighth in the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly and helped on relays.

“She was really nervous, but I’m proud of what she did,” Emily Wolf said.

Tigers freshman Ashlyn Hayes was fourth in the 200 freestyle and fifth in the 100 freestyle. Freshman Brooklyn Rager placed eighth in the 500 freestyle, and Sophomore Alexandra Nguyen was sixth in the 100 breaststroke.

Hamilton Southeastern placed sixth with 141 points. The Royals were third in the 200 medley relay and sixth in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Senior Naomi Haines was fourth in the 100 backstroke and junior Lauren Ing was fifth in the 100 backstroke.

DISPATCHES

 Bradford named HCLA dean – Andrew Bradford of Bradford Consulting Group will serve as dean for the Hamilton County Leadership Academy Class of 2027. He is a graduate of the HCLA Class of 2019 and has served as chair of the HCLA board. HCLA provides participants an immersive, 10-month experience that takes a deep dive into issues that are critically important to local communities. Applications for HCLA’s 36th cohort opens Feb. 27. Learn more at HCLA.net.

 Scholarships available for future law enforcement officers — The Fishers Police Corps has announced that it is offering a $1,500 scholarship for a Fishers student interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. For more and to apply, visit fisherspolicecorps. org/scholarship.htm. Applications are due by March 31.

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

APPROACH

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

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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.

WORLD CLASS SPINE CARE RIGHT HERE

IN FISHERS

 Summer camp registration opens — Registration is open for Fishers residents to sign up for summer camp, which will be hosted at the recently opened Fishers Community Center. Programs now include offerings for children as young as 3. Half and full-day camps are available, with expanded before and after-care options for full-day camps from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more, visit fisherscommunitycenter.com/ Camps.

DISPATCHES

 Calls for art — The Fishers Arts Council is seeking submissions for its April exhibit, “Spring Blooms with Poetry – Tiny Art.” The exhibit will focus on 2D and 3D works that are no larger than 8 inches square, along with poetry. Fishers Arts Council will print and frame accepted poems. Visual art and poetry submissions are encouraged to focus on the joy of art, nature, poetry and beauty. The deadline to apply is March 16. Musicians are also needed for the 2026 Season of Art which offers paid performance opportunities for solo, duet, and trios throughout the year. For more, visit FishersArtsCouncil. org/blog.

FISHERS MARCH EVENTS

WOMEN IN THE PAUSE

“Woman in the Pause,” an event for women interested in information from health and wellness providers about perimenopause and menopause, is set for 6:30 p.m. March 10 at The Club Coworking, Crosspoint Center, 9800 Crosspoint Blvd. Appetizers and wine will be available starting at 5:30 p.m.

MARCH ART EXHIBIT

The Fishers Arts Council’s annual Disability Awareness Month art exhibit runs through the month of March, with a Second Friday reception set for March 13. Performing artists will be featured during the reception. For more, visit FishersArtsCouncil.org.

p.m. March 9, Fishers Municipal Center

• Board of Public Works & Safety — 9 a.m. March 10 and 24, Fishers Municipal Center

• Finance Committee — 5 p.m. March 11, Fishers Municipal Center

• City Council — 7 p.m. March 16, Fishers Municipal Center

• Nickel Plate Review Committee — 5 p.m. March 25, Fishers Municipal Center

• Fishers Board of Zoning Appeals — 6 p.m. March 25, Fishers Municipal Center

• Fall Creek Board of Zoning Appeals — 6 p.m. March 26, Fishers Municipal Center

Indianapolis, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born November 21, 1942, to the late Clarence P. and Alice I. (Richardson) Hawkins. Karen grew up in Bedford, Indiana. On September 10, 1961, she married the love of her life, Larry, beginning a partnership that spanned nearly 65 devoted years.

Karen was a beautician and business owner in the Indianapolis area for several years. She built her career through hard work, talent, and determination. She retired from her business to dedicate herself fully to raising her two children, Scott and Kara. Karen was an unstoppable mother. She poured herself into her family, doing whatever it took to ensure her children had the very best life possible.

That love only grew as her family expanded. When Jerri joined the family 25 years ago, she was never “just” a daughter-in-law, she became another daughter to Karen, and she embraced her fully as a mother would.

Stan came into Karen’s life ten years ago. Although her disease eventually stole her ability to fully know him, Stan knew her. He showed up for her in countless quiet ways, providing care, strength, and steady support as our family navigated her illness.

Later in life, she worked part-time at Helio’s Tea & Gifts in Carmel, a place that reflected her love for fashion, details, and making others feel special. Her passion for flowers was more than a hobby; it was an art form. Karen loved decorating for every holiday and was the heart behind countless family gatherings. She had a gift for making celebrations feel magical and for bringing people together.

Her greatest joy became her only grandchild,

To him, she was “Nia”, a title she wore proudly. He meant more to her than anything in this world. Her love for him was fierce, protective, and unconditional. She was known to be his “defense attorney”.

Family was everything to Karen, including her pets. Karen treated her pets like her children. And while she had impeccable taste in décor, her pets enjoyed a more refined cuisine… McDonald’s chicken nuggets, a treat she happily shared with them.

For the last ten years, Karen courageously battled Lewy body dementia. She was fighter in every sense of the word. Even as the disease progressed, her spirit endured. Music, singing, and the steady presence of family were instrumental in carrying her through the hardest days. She spent the last year and a half of her life at Story Cottage in Carmel, where she was cared for with compassion and dignity.

Karen is survived by her loving husband, Larry E. Riggle; her children, Scott P. Riggle (Jerri) and Kara A. Riggle (Stanley Collesano); her cherished grandson, Daniel A. Riggle; and her sisters, Jane Smith (Greg) and Sherri Emenhiser. She was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Ann Roach.

Karen’s life was defined by devotion to her husband, her children, her grandson, and her family. Her strength, her voice, her traditions, and her love will live on in all who knew her.

A Memorial Visitation was held Thursday, February 19, 2026 at Hillcrest Country Club, 6098 Fall Creek Road, Indianapolis, IN 46220. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Karen’s honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and/or the Indianapolis Zoo.

GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

The following Fishers government meetings are scheduled throughout the month:

• Plat Committee — 4 p.m. March 4, Fishers Municipal Center

• Planned Unit Development — 5 p.m. March 4, Fishers Municipal Center

• Plan Commission - 6 p.m. March 4, Fishers Municipal Center

• Town Hall Building Corporation — 4

• Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees — Policy Committee, March 4; board meeting 6 p.m. March 11, 13485 Cumberland Rd.

FISHERS HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The Fishers Health Department is hosting an “Aging Well” series of free workshops at the Fishers Community Center. The March workshop is “Decluttering as Self-Care,” set for 6-7:30 p.m. March 23. For more and to register, visit health. fishersin.gov.

FHS STUDENTS STAGE ANTI-ICE PROTEST

Fishers High School students participate in a Feb. 9 walkout, demonstrating against ICE activity. They joined Hamilton Southeastern High School students, who demonstrated at the same time. (Photo by Kelly Sullivan)

COMMUNITY

WILY COYOTES

Urban sightings are popular topics on local social media

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Coyotes are a recurring theme on social media for neighbors throughout Hamilton County — Fishers, Carmel, Westfield, etc., — as well as Zionsville and north Indianapolis, with weekly, and sometimes daily, posts, photos, warnings and extended conversations about the wild canid — a native Indiana species closely related to dogs and wolves.

Wildlife Biologist Geriann Albers is the furbearer and gamebird program leader for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. She said coyotes have a long history in Indiana and for most of that time were found primarily in prairie habitat.

“We would have mostly had coyotes in the northwest part of the state and in the southwest part of the state, where we had more of our prairies,” she said. “The populations got pretty low for a while, because there were a lot of programs like bounties and things like that to try to remove coyotes. And then they started rebounding in the 1970s.”

Albers said the population bounced back because of less predation, less competition — there are no longer any wolves in Indiana — and the coyotes’ ability to adapt beyond the prairie.

“Now, they’re across all of Indiana,” Albers said. “They’re in every county. They do really well in urban areas, which is often why you see chatter like you’re seeing right now (on social media), because there’s a lot of food for coyotes in urban areas. They like fruits. They like gardens — things like tomatoes and stuff like that. They like rabbits and squirrels and mice, which are common around people’s homes.”

The DNR doesn’t track coyote populations, but Albers said biologists have a rough estimate for rural areas of one pair for every 3 to 5 square miles — a range determined by how much food is available.

“They can have much smaller home ranges in urban areas, just because there’s so much more food,” she said. “So, they can be more common than that in some of our urban areas, just because of the abundance of resources.”

Albers said urban coyotes find shelter in hollowed out trees, old culverts and other spaces where they can hide from people. They use greenspaces, such as parks, trails and golf courses to provide cover when they forage for food.

She noted that the coyote population likely isn’t greater than in recent decades, but sightings are more prevalent because more people have residential security cameras.

Some posts on social media express concern at the proximity of coyotes to urban neighborhoods, with

residents wondering whether pets and children are safe. Albers said fear is a common reaction, because many people view coyotes as small wolves.

“The thing we usually tell people is human-coyote interactions are extremely uncommon,” she said. “In Indiana, we’ve never had a coyote come up and bite a kid or anything like that. The way we want to make sure that continues to be true is that we want to make sure people don’t feed coyotes. Feeding can lead to … coyotes getting too used to humans providing them food, and that can be where we have those negative

COYOTE FAST FACTS

• Coyotes are most visible and vocal in the winter, especially during breeding season, which occurs around the month of February

• Coyotes give birth in April and May, with an average litter of six pups

• Coyotes are omnivores and will eat anything they can find

• Urban coyotes are usually more active at night but can be active at any time of the day

• Coyotes have coats in shades of oranges, grays and tans, with a bushy tail carried at a downward slope

• Coyotes weigh between 25 and 40 pounds, but their fluffy coats can make them look larger

• DNR has a list of Wildlife Control Operators on its website for people who want any wild animal removed from their property and don’t feel comfortable doing it themselves

interactions with people.”

For example, bird feeders can attract mice — a food source for coyotes. Other attractive food sources for coyotes are fruit trees, unsecured outdoor pet food, compost bins, etc. Albers said coyotes can attack and kill small pets — noting that owls also are known to kill small pets — and while coyotes are less likely to approach a person walking a dog, it’s not unheard of.

“They will sometimes see the dog as a threat, especially if they have pups,” she said. “There will be a pair of coyotes and they’ll try to keep other coyotes out of their territory. And dogs are not that distantly related to coyotes. They’re both the same kind of genus, if you know your taxonomy, and so they can be like, ‘Are you a threat? Why are you in my territory’ kind of thing, and they’ll come in to investigate.”

She suggested carrying pepper spray or an air horn for protection while walking dogs if coyotes are known to be in the neighborhood.

Albers added that coyotes are an important part of the natural ecosystem.

“They help us out a lot, actually,” she said. “They’ll clean up carrion — if you have a roadkill deer, coyotes are one of the animals with possums and vultures that help clean that up so it doesn’t stink the place up. They also are really great for controlling rodent populations.”

For more, visit in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/ wildlife-resources/living-with-wildlife/coyotes/

ON THE COVER: Coyotes are found throughout Indiana, including rural and urban areas. (Photo courtesy of Indiana Department of Natural Resources)

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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 civictheatre.org.

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

Small Town City opened for Collins at The Tarkington last year.

“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

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

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.

COMMUNITY VOICES

Results a group effort

An honest dishonest mistake

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

Editor,

I am writing in response to the recent message from Hamilton Southeastern Schools crediting the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching partnership for their 96 percent IREAD pass rate.

While NIET may contribute to improvement, correlation shouldn’t be confused with causation. During the same period, Indiana required mandated teacher training and state-approved curriculum aligned with the science of reading. Students now have five opportunities to pass IREAD and those at risk of failing receive targeted intervention and mandated summer school. These changes likely play a major role in improved outcomes.

At the same time, NIET participation has required teacher development specialists to focus almost exclusively on K–3 literacy, leaving other teachers and those implementing a new math

curriculum without support. If the district’s goal is strong teacher performance and retention, support must extend beyond one tested subject.

The superintendent serving as a conference keynote speaker while his wife holds a NIET fellow position raises questions about the reasoning behind participation in this program, especially amid a budget deficit and negligible teacher raises. Although the current partnership is supported by a three-year grant, the district will need to identify ongoing funding or make budget cuts when the grant expires.

Student IREAD results are driven by collective effort, targeted intervention and policy shifts — not a single program. Our community deserves a complete picture to demand transparent, fiscally responsible decision-making regarding the future of this program.

Justin Noelle, Fishers

My two cents on ICE

Editor,

The Feb. 10 Current in Fishers had a comment from Mr. Crawford about our deportation policy. Minnesota looks like a mess, alright, but I have a different take.

I believe the problem isn’t ICE at all. The problem is how we got here. Biden inherited a controlled and well-functioning border situation. When he arrived, he immediately shut down the building of the wall and then he opened his arms to all

PUBLIC NOTICE

Crown Castle Fiber, LLC is proposing to construct a 34-foot overall height small cell telecommunications structure near 12999 West Main Street, Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana (39° 58' 40.7"N, 86° 08' 43.3"W). Crown Castle Fiber, LLC invites comments from any interested party on the impact the proposed undertaking may have on any districts, sites, buildings, structures, or objects significant in American history, archaeology, engineering, or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments may be sent to Environmental Corporation of America, ATTN: Annamarie Howell, 1375 Union Hill Industrial Court, Suite A, Alpharetta, GA 30004 or via email to publicnotice@eca-usa.com. Ms. Howell can be reached at (770) 667-2040 x 108 during normal business hours. Comments must be received within 30 days of the date of this notice. 25-004888/MCM

illegal aliens around the world. The result was millions more illegal aliens entering America in a little over four years. Many Americans seem to forget how we got here. Biden literally air lifted immigrants into our country in the middle of the night. His VP wouldn’t visit the border, and she and the rest of his administration swore to all of us that the border was secure.

As for the comment about the ICE holding areas costing us a lot of money, I laughed out loud. Most people don’t realize that we were spending billions a year on these illegal immigrants.

I do agree that the situation is difficult in Minnesota, but I would put this down to lack of cooperation in a sanctuary city, which I believe is unlawful. I also firmly believe that with all the corruption unfolding in Minnesota they are making a big fuss so we focus on ICE instead.

John Blackman, Fishers

All my columns are based on real events. But here’s a good example of how I once stretched things a bit too far and still feel ashamed after all this time.

Years ago, my wife Mary Ellen and I visited the Grand Canyon (that part was true). Then I explained how, before our return flight, I sent my digital camera through the security scanner (totally factual). And how it was stolen when I left it behind in my seat at the airport (correct again).

I wanted to write about how careless I am with my belongings. But when I returned from the trip, I ran into my friend George, who lives down the street.

“How was your vacation, Dick?” he asked.

“Oh, it was fantastic! Except my camera was stolen.”

“What a shame. And with all your photos, huh?”

“It’s OK. I had my email address on the camera, so the thief sent the pictures back to me.”

I don’t know where that crazy idea came from. It just slipped out of my mouth. It wasn’t just an exaggeration; it was a boldfaced fabrication. George got hysterical. He couldn’t stop laughing. And I’m so addicted to the sound of people laughing that I left it at that.

George then sent out an email to friends and posted it on Facebook. People started messaging me, saying what a bizarre story that was. Others on the block approached me and said they thought it would be a perfect idea for a newspaper column. As I retold the incident, I embellished it. Then I shared it at church.

When I sat down that night to write my weekly column, I started to believe the whole thing myself. If you repeat something enough times, you

start thinking it’s the truth. Ask any politician.

In my column, I even included the fake email from the thief who supposedly stole my camera. I had already crossed over to the dark side — why not get a few extra laughs along the way?

Dear Mr. Wolfsie:

Thanks for leaving your camera unattended at the Denver airport. I’ve always wanted one like that. You have such a sweet-looking family, so I am emailing you all your photos. Your wife is lovely, but she’d look much better with shorter hair. At least in the photos where you don’t cut off her head.

After the column was published, I got emails just like this:

Dear Dick,

Your story was hysterical. You took a real-life negative experience and let us laugh at your expense.

Dear Dick,

Witty as always. We love the honesty in your writing.

The guilt was tearing me apart. I hoped the person who stole my camera would read the column and have the decency to email me my photos. I don’t care about the stupid pictures. I just wanted to be an honest man again.

COLUMNIST ON THE WEB

This week’s commentary by Current Publishing essayist Terry Anker may be read at youarecurrent.com.

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.

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

5. Luxurious fur

6. Singer DiFranco

7. Classic British sports car

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

9. On the briny

10. Packs down

11. Dolt

12. White River transport

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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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/.

14950 Greyhound, Suite 4 Carmel, IN 2026 Summer Dance Camps & Classes

FOR AGES 3-6

June 1 - 5

June 22 - 26

July 6 - 10

July 13 - 17

July 20 - 24

July 27 - 31

FOR AGES 6-9 FOR ALL AGES

July 6 - 10

Under the Sea Party

Moana and Maui’s Island Luau

Bluey and Bingo‘s Summer Adventures

Royal Princess and Prince Ball

Frozen Prince & Princess Party

Fairytale Princesses and Princes

Youth Summer Ballet Intensive

Open Classes - Two 3 Week Sessions (June 8 - 26 & July 13 - 30)

For the most up to date information and scheduling visit CIAODANCE.COM or call 317-581-2423

JUNE 1 - JULY 31, 2026

Types of Camps: Full Day Half Day Enrichment

NEW This Year:

Extended Full Day Camp hours

Half Day Camps available for ages 3-5

Enrichment Camp options (bowling, cooking, Hoosier Heights, Urban Air, & more)

Camp locations throughout Fishers, including the new Fishers Community Center, Strengthened by IU Health

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.