Tuesday, April 8, 2025
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SENIOR SHOWCASE
Fishers Arts Council exhibit highlights work of student artists / P16
Fishers boys basketball team takes second at state / P2
Sign helps elementary students communicate / P7
Fishers author aims to help teachers / P12 SCAN
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THE HIXON
5 Piece Set: sofa, 2 swivel chairs, coffee table, nesting side table
THE BAINBRIDGE
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Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. XV, No. 12
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The pizza that won the Best Classic Pizza in America at the World Pizza Championship in Parma, Italy! Southwest corner of 116th & I-69
Fishers boys basketball team’s memorable two-year run comes to an end
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
The Fishers High School boys basketball team fell just short of its quest to repeat as IHSAA Class 4A state champion, but that didn’t diminish what the Tigers accomplished.
SPORTS
Class 4A No. 7 Jeffersonville edged 4A No. 1 Fishers 67-66 in overtime March 29 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Tigers, who finished 30-1, saw their 43game winning streak end.
“What I’ll remember most about this group and this run is just going through the process with them every day and the relationships we built,” Tigers coach Garrett Winegar said. “We have been able to do some exciting things — back-to-back state championship games, 2024 state champs, Hall of Fame champs, back-to-back conference champs. All of those things are great, but what I’ll remember most is just the process of preparation, how focused this group was and how committed they were to excellence and the relationships we built in trust and love.”
Winegar said commitment to the process and preparation was key to the consistency.
“We never overlooked a game,” he said. “Our depth, unselfishness and willingness to defend at a high level allowed us to have success.”
The Tigers will lose five seniors to graduation: Justin Kirby, JonAnthony Hall, Logan Sigler, Nathan Baker and Millen McCartney. Kirby was second on the team in scoring at 13.1 points per game on a team-high 67 percent shooting from the field. Hall, who will play football at Stanford University, averaged 10.1 ppg, McCartney 9.1 ppg, Baker 7.8 ppg and Sigler 4.8 ppg.
“This is a special group of seniors both on and off the court,” Winegar said. “On the court, they had one of the most historic runs in the history of Indiana basketball.
No one can take that from them. What I am most proud of, though, is who they are off the court. They are great young men. They represented our school with class and competed at the highest level. I will forever be grateful for what they gave and did for our program. It is a brutal feeling knowing we won’t get to compete together anymore, but I am excited to follow their journeys as they all go on to compete at the next level.”
Sophomore point guard Jason Gardner Jr. averaged a team-high 14.5 ppg, and sophomore Cooper Zachary averaged 11.2 ppg. Gardner’s father Jason Gardner, the 1999 Mr. Basketball, won a Class 4A state title that season with North Central High School.
In the title game against Jeffersonville, Kirby and Gardner Jr. led the team with 15 points each.
Senior power forward Tre Singleton, who has signed with Northwestern University, led Jeffersonville with 26 points. Former Indiana University player Sherron Wilkerson, who led Jeffersonville to the 1993 state
title in the single-class system, became the sixth person to win a state championship as a player and a coach.
“After the loss, it was hard to grasp the fact that we didn’t win a state championship and our season was over like just that,” said Kirby, who will play for Miami (Ohio) University next season. “But we soon came to realize that we did accomplish something that no other team can say they’ve done (by) winning 43 games in a row, be able to go back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse two years in a row and breaking multiple school records along the way. This was definitely not the way that we wanted the season to end, but overall, we are very proud of how we have been the last two years.”
Naturally, one of Kirby’s favorite memories is beating Ben Davis in the Class 4A state title game as a junior. The Tigers finished 29-1 in the 2023-24 season.
“That’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment that I’m never going to forget, especially with the seniors that are no longer here,” he said.
The Fishers High School boys basketball team with its Class 4A state championship runner-up trophy. (Photo courtesy of IHSAA)
Fishers delays 116th Street roundabout to 2026
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
The City of Fishers’ planned new roundabout at 116th Street and Allisonville Road originally was scheduled for construction this year, but city officials have announced that because of other road construction in the area, the city will put it off until 2026.
ROADWORK
Officials had been considering delaying the project, but a final decision hadn’t been publicly announced until the March 25 Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, during which the board also approved a $3.1 million construction contract for the project.
City of Fishers Director of Engineering Hatem Mekky told the board that when the project was advertised for bids, it had two options — one with a start in 2025 and the other starting in 2026. Rieth-Riley Construction came back with the lowest bids at about $2.8 million for construction this year and $3.1 million if the project starts next year.
Mekky said city officials believe it will be less of a traffic concern next year after work on nearby highways is complete, along with roadwork at 146th and Allisonville and other big ongoing projects.
“So, (the) hope is that when 2026 comes and we close that intersection, there’s a lot of different avenues that they can take,” he said.
The construction plan for the new roundabout calls for a complete closure of the intersection to speed up the construction timeline.
The City of Fishers will construct a roundabout at the intersection of 116th Street and Allisonville Road in 2026. (Photo courtesy of the City of Fishers)
S U M M E R S U M M E R
DISPATCHES
Spark!Fishers vendor applications open — The City of Fishers Parks Department is accepting vendor applications for the annual Spark!Fishers community celebration, set for June 23-28. Applications are open for the Car and Art Show, street fair, food carts, entertainment acts and parade participants. For more, visit fishersparks.com/ summer-activities-events/sparkfishers/ get-involved.
Fishers Youth Initiative seeks new executive director — Fishers Youth Initiative, formerly the Youth Mentoring Initiative and Fishers Youth Assistance Program, is looking for a new executive director following the resignation of Brittany Rayburn, who led the organization through the first phase of the merger of the two youth-focused nonprofits. Her last day with FYI will be May 28. The position posting can be found at ymionline.org/news. Interested candidates also can email FYI Co-President Anderson Schoenrock at schoenrock@ memoryventures.com.
Barn Bash supports Ben’s Ranch — Ben’s Ranch Foundation, a local nonprofit serving teens struggling with mental health challenges, will have its annual fundraising event from 5 to 9 p.m. April 12 at Conner Prairie. The popular event features a square dance led by a professional caller, dinner, outdoor games and a silent auction. Proceeds fund programs for teens struggling with mental or emotional health challenges. For more, visit bensranch.org/events.
Fishers Rotary plans trivia night — Fishers Rotary Club will host a Wacky Trivia Night, with doors opening at 6 p.m. April 24 at Daniel’s Vineyard, 9061 N 700 W, McCordsville. Family-friendly comedian Craig Tornquist will emcee the event, with proceeds benefiting Rotary programs in the community. For more and to register, visit eventcreate.com/e/rotarytrivia.
Coats for Kids campaign in April — The Salvation Army of Central Indiana, along with Classic Cleaners and WTHR, is accepting winter coat donations throughout the month of April. All sizes are needed from infant through teen and adult. During April, the public is invited to drop off new or gently used winter coats at collection boxes in front of any Classic Cleaners location. The coats will be cleaned and stored for the Coats for Kids distribution day in November.
From left, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, Treasurer Daniel Elliott, Hamilton County Republican Party Chair Mario Massillamany, Comptroller Elise Nieshalla and Kegan Prentice, legislative director in the Office of the Secretary of State, March 25 at a GOP-sponsored town hall at Life Church. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)
Indiana GOP leaders laud state’s DOGE-like efforts
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
Four state officials touted Indiana’s fiscal accomplishments as an example for the federal government to follow as they outlined plans for Indiana to imitate recent federal cost-cutting initiatives at a town hall meeting sponsored by the Hamilton County Republican Party.
POLITICS
The event, held March 25 at Life Church in Noblesville, featured Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, Treasurer Daniel Elliott, Comptroller Elise Nieshalla and Kegan Prentice, legislative director in the Office of Secretary of State, who filled in for Secretary of State Diego Morales. Mario Massillamany, Hamilton County Republican Party chair, moderated the discussion.
Beckwith, a pastor at the church, addressed his working relationship with Gov. Mike Braun. Beckwith wasn’t Braun’s top choice for a running mate, so many people believed their partnership would be strained. But that hasn’t been the case, Beckwith said.
“I’ve seen (Braun) model a lot of what he’s doing after what (President) Donald Trump has been doing. A lot of the executive orders he signed look very similar to what President Trump is doing,” Beckwith said. “This is easy to sell because he’s doing such a great job.”
The state officials praised Trump’s efforts to reduce government waste through the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, which is being led by billionaire Elon Musk. They said they would support efforts to create a state-level DOGE, an idea Beckwith said he expects to gain traction after the legislative session wraps up in late April.
Elliott said Indiana has “the most conservative team of statewide elected officials in the entire country,” so it makes
sense they would embrace the DOGE concept.
“Ronald Reagan was DOGE,” Elliott said. “This is a conservative principle, so if we’re following conservative principles we’re implementing DOGE in our offices.”
Nieshalla said her office is ready to support any DOGE-like efforts initiated by the Braun administration. But she also said the federal government should look to Indiana as an example of financial health, as the state has a balanced budget, healthy cash reserves and the fourth-lowest debt per capita in the nation. She said the $36 trillion national debt “means trouble for our country.”
“It’s time to make America’s finances great again, and, may I add, make America like Indiana,” said Nieshalla, a Zionsville resident who chairs the National Debt Crisis Task Force.
Other state initiatives discussed include a plan by the Secretary of State’s Office to modernize maintenance of voter lists, an initiative in the Comptroller’s Office to improve the state’s transparency portal and efforts by Elliott to sound the alarm on financial institutions that debank conservative institutions, such as gun manufacturers and some churches.
Beckwith, who had a torn achilles and rolled onto the stage with the help of a scooter, urged attendees to consider becoming more involved in the political process. He credited Life Church and Living Stones church in Crown Point with providing education on the delegate process during the 2024 election cycle (delegates select the lieutenant governor candidate). He said the two churches sent 63 delegates to the state convention, which matched his margin of victory in the lieutenant governor’s race.
“Two churches made the difference,” he said. “Your sphere of influence is never small.”
Century Club supports school resource officers
The Fishers Century Club had its first-quarter meeting March 18 and selected the Indiana School Resource Officers Association Foundation as the recipient of that quarter’s donation.
According to an announcement from FCC, the INSROA Foundation is a new organization that focuses on ensuring school resource officers receive training. SROs who belong to INSROA have access to training resources with a $50 annual membership fee, which also includes membership to the National Association of School Resource Officers.
“School resource officers serve the mission of keeping our students, staff and communities safe,” stated Officer Greg Zimmerman, a Carmel-based SRO and representative of the INSROA Foundation who spoke to FCC members. “We are incredibly grateful to the Fishers Century Club for
helping us fund training opportunities that enhance school safety and bring awareness to new technologies and strategies that help protect Indiana’s children every day.”
The Fishers Century Club, a men’s crowd-giving organization, meets quarterly to hear from three different charities and make a collective contribution to one. Winning charities generally receive about $3,000. The group’s next meeting is scheduled for June 24.
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Fishers Century Club members gathered March 18 and selected the Indiana School Resource Officers Association Foundation as its winning charity for the first quarter of 2025. (Photo courtesy of FCC)
PHILANTHROPY
Sign helps Fishers elementary students communicate
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
A new sign at Harrison Parkway Elementary School in Fishers will help students with special needs, English language learners and kids who are a little shy find other kids to play with.
EDUCATION
The communication board was unveiled March 27, the culmination of a project spearheaded by FOCUS Instructional Assistant Stafi Belford — who works with kids with special needs. She successfully applied for a Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation grant to pay for the board after noticing that some of her students had a difficult time making friends.
“Sometimes when they’re on the playground, they usually don’t play with other kids,” she said. “This would be an opportunity (for them to) communicate. I also used to (work with) ELL (English Language Learners) here, too. I figured they, too, can’t communicate. And the kids, when they’re on the playground, they can communicate with the board — if they don’t speak English or they speak Spanish, they can just go to another kid that doesn’t speak the same language as them, or the kids that (have) autism or they’re shy, they can just point to the board and be
like, ‘Let’s go swing, or let’s go play.’”
Belford said she had seen a similar communication board in Noblesville, which gave her the idea. She said initially she wasn’t sure whether an instructional assistant could apply for an HSEF grant or if they were only open to teachers, but she was encouraged to apply.
Belford was awarded the grant in October 2024, providing up to $2,330 to commission and install the sign, which also includes some American Sign Language images to help kids communicate with deaf classmates.
Belford said the board has images for a variety of playtime activities, but it also has images for simple phrases, such as “yes,” “no,” “share,” “happy,” “sad” and “help.”
She said that although the sign will be particularly helpful for kids with special needs, it could be used by anyone.
“I want all kids to feel like they can use this board and communicate,” she said. “If they were shy, they could just walk up — it’s a friendly communication.”
HSEF provides numerous grants to educators annually. According to the foundation’s website, it provided more than 50 grants this school year for various projects in school buildings throughout the Hamilton Southeastern Schools district.
For more, visit hsefoundation.org.
From left, Elliott Sabljakovic, Stafi Belford and Zane Riag with the new communication board at Harrison Parkway Elementary. (Photo courtesy of Stafi Belford)
eggs for annual event
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
There’s no shortage of eggs for this year’s annual Kiwanis Club of Fishers Easter Egg Hunt, with 10,000 colorful, treat-filled plastic eggs to be distributed in four fields at Holland Park, 1 Park Dr., Fishers, for kids to find.
EVENT
The popular event is set to start at 10 a.m. April 19 at the park, but Kiwanis member and event organizer Nick Vail said it’s a good idea to arrive a little early.
“We always say please try to get there 10 or 15 minutes early, because these kids go crazy for it,” he said. “Sometimes 10 minutes in, all the eggs are gone — they’re just going nuts.”
Vail said there will be areas set aside for different age groups, so the youngest kids have a better chance of finding an egg. The event is free and open to children from toddlers up to age 12, and the Easter Bunny will be on hand for photos.
Vail said each egg has a treat inside, and some also have coupons for free
sandwiches and other goodies. Kiwanis Club members filled most of the eggs, although he said Indiana Members Credit Union not only sponsored the event this year but filled about 3,000 eggs.
The annual egg stuffing is a group project, he said.
“We meet once a month (and) during our last monthly meeting and this upcoming one, 27, 28 of us stuffed the eggs,” he said.
This year’s event will have a few thousand more eggs than last year, he said, and another field. They usually use three fields but opted for a fourth to spread out the age groups a little more to keep the competition fair.
“It is rain or shine, but obviously we’re hoping for shine,” he said, noting that they have had some rainy egg hunts in the past. “We just sort of waited it out and started up again, but we’re hoping it doesn’t come to that.”
In case of severe weather, the event would be canceled.
For more, visit the Kiwanis Club of Fishers Facebook page,
Families get ready for last year’s annual Kiwanis Club of Fishers Egg Hunt. This year’s egg hunt is set for 10 a.m. April 19 at Holland Park in Fishers.
(Photo courtesy of Kiwanis Club of Fishers)
In partnership with the CheckIt4Andretti Foundation and in honor of its founder, John Andretti, join us for Riverview Health’s Drive2Detect!
A night of exotic cars, local cuisine and great race-themed experiences, all in a unique atmosphere. Help us in our mission to increase colon cancer awareness and raise funds to provide no-cost colonoscopies and post-diagnosis support to those who cannot otherwise afford it.
Tickets are now available! Simply scan the QR code or visit drive2detect.com to reserve your place. A limited number of VIP Access tickets to meet Jarett Andretti are available only while they last!
May 17, 2025
6:00 to 11:00 P.M.
Motor District Garage Condos
Westfield, IN
MANAGING EDITOR
Palladium gets new name
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Leah Payne understands how important the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts is to Carmel.
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Are you a passionate, experienced storyteller with a profound editorial eye, as well as a bottomless appreciation for community-driven journalism? Do you thrive in a united environment where ideas flow, voices are heard and stories make an impact? The managing editor candidate Current Publishing selects will be charged with ensuring its content is fair, accurate and genuinely connected to the community we serve. This is an immediate opening at a media company that has largest print-media footprint in Indiana and a burgeoning online and social media presence. If you are:
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• Dental insurance
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• and possess excellent organizational and project-management abilities …
… then we want to hear from you.
If that’s not you, but you still would like to align with Current as a freelance reporter/writer, let us know!
NEXT STEP: Send a resume and PDFs of three of your best news-story clips, along with three professional references to jobs@youarecurrent.com. (You will receive immediate consideration, as we are moving quickly to fill the opening.) Compensation is commensurate with experience. Benefits package and some amount of schedule flexibility are available for full-time employees. EOE. No phone calls, please.
“Over the past 15 years, the Palladium and the Center have provided us with art and cultural experiences for our children and incredible performances we have enjoyed with our family and friends,” she said. “With this contribution, our goal is to give back to the community and help ensure that other families, residents and visitors to Carmel can continue to enjoy these same opportunities well into the future.”
Payne and her husband, Eric Payne, and Suzanne and husband, Ron Mencias, both from Carmel, have reached a 10-year philanthropic agreement with the Center that will rename its flagship concert hall and support its arts and educational mission. Effective July 1, the 1,500-seat hall will be known as the Payne & Mencias Palladium. The new agreement was announced March 20 at an event at the Palladium. Financial details were not disclosed.
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Schedule your screening mammogram today or find a walk-in location near you at eCommunity.com/mammogram
“We’re a nonprofit organization, so this money goes right to the heart of our mission,” Center President and CEO Jeffrey C. McDermott said. “The resources that come in through naming opportunities like this, and this is a substantial one for us, you know, helps us elevate our education program.”
McDermott said there are possibilities for naming rights of The Tarkington and Studio Theater as well as rooms in the buildings and the stage.
From left, Allied Solutions Center President Jeffrey C. McDermott, Eric Payne, Leah Payne, Suzanne Mencias, Ron Mencias and Carmel Mayor Sun Finkam on the Palladium stage. (Photo courtesy of Allied Solutions Center)
Constituents deliver boos to Spartz at Westfield town hall
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz wants to have a conversation.
POLITICS
That was the overarching sentiment of the congresswoman — who represents Indiana’s 5th District — as she faced down more than 300 residents during a town hall meeting March 28 at the IMMI Conference Center in Westfield.
The rowdy crowd was mostly unfriendly toward the Noblesville Republican, now in her third term, during a two-hour question-and-answer exchange on topics like President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency, the Department of Education, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the budget, taxes, immigration, tariffs and the war between Russia and Ukraine. The majority of the crowd booed and jeered throughout the session as Spartz answered questions. Spartz began the discussion talking about the budget. She said the 2024 budget includes a $2 trillion shortfall — one that cannot be fixed unless and until Con-
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gress learns to work together. Spartz said the success of the country depends on members of both sides of the aisle coming together for a conversation.
“No one wants to work with President Trump,” she said. “Democrats do not want to work on (bipartisanship). We must keep promises to people — that’s what has to happen.”
Although Spartz took several questions throughout the town hall, she offered few solutions, instead leaning back into the message that Congress cannot function properly while hopelessly divided.
Around 100 protestors stand outside a town hall hosted by U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz in Westfield March 28. (Photo
On health care and the potential for Trump to close the CDC, Spartz said the agency was caught unprepared during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We need to make sure (agencies) are held accountable and that is no longer the case anymore,” she said.
When asked about the deportation of undocumented immigrants or noncitizens with legal status, Spartz’s answers became impossible to decipher when the crowds’ boos drowned her out after she said those who break the law would face consequences.
Asked if she would support an independent judiciary, Spartz sidestepped the question to reiterate that Congress needs to focus on working together. She said although she’s not always in favor of President Trump’s executive orders, until Congress can work together, the orders are one of the few ways things can get done.
“My oath is to the Constitution and I take it very seriously,” Spartz said. “A lot of things that President Trump does, I do not like. But Congress (is) a broken system.”
Members of the audience were briefly in agreement with Spartz as she chastised Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. But things changed quickly when she expressed support for Trump dealing personally with Vladimir Putin.
More than 100 protestors stood outside the IMMI center with signs chanting “do your job” as Spartz spoke inside. Dozens of people stood up and walked out about halfway through the town hall.
The Westfield Police Department was on hand at the event, where there were no disturbances outside of the jeers of the crowd.
by Marney Simon)
Fishers author aims to help teachers
By Sara Palmer news@currentinfishers.com
Fishers-based literacy consultant and author Ciera Harris is on a mission to transform the way students engage with reading. Her new book, “The Thinking Reader,” aims to help educators bridge the gap between surface-level comprehension and deep, analytical thinking.
EDUCATION
Harris, a former elementary school teacher and instructional coach, draws from 16 years in education and her doctoral studies in literacy at St. John’s University. Through her consulting work, her podcast, “The Literacy Lounge,” and online membership at The Building Comprehension Hub, Harris reaches educators worldwide — but she remains connected to her Indiana roots.
“Growing up and teaching in Indiana has given me a deep appreciation for our teachers and the challenges they face,” Harris said. “Indiana educators are hardworking and dedicated, but like many across the country, they’re navigating changes in literacy instruction, curriculum mandates and shifting educational policies.”
“The Thinking Reader” was born from Harris’ observation that many students can decode words but struggle to extract meaning.
“We don’t just need students who can read; we need students who can think while reading,” she said.
Among the key techniques featured in her book are schema activation — helping students connect new information to their background knowledge — and think-alouds, which model the internal thought processFishers resident Ciera Harris with her new book, “The Thinking Reader.” (Photo courtesy of Ciera Harris)
es of a skilled reader. Harris believes those strategies empower students to persist through challenging texts, boosting comprehension and confidence.
“Teachers have shared that their students are moving beyond basic plot summaries to deeper, analytical conversations,” Harris said. “Parents have also reached out, saying they’ve noticed their kids asking more questions while reading and engaging in a whole new way.”
Committed to advancing literacy education, Harris is exploring opportunities with groups like the Indiana State Literacy Association to offer book studies, workshops, professional development and other initiatives based on her strategies. She also offers professional development workshops and training sessions for schools looking to implement the techniques in their classrooms.
Ultimately, Harris hopes “The Thinking Reader” will inspire a shift in reading instruction. It was published by Jossey-Bass.
“Reading isn’t just about decoding words — it’s about thinking, questioning and engaging with ideas,” she said.
For more, visit cieraharristeaching.com.
DISPATCHES
Author fair scheduled — Hamilton East Public Library will host its 2025 Local Author Fair, a free, open house-style event for all ages, from 1 to 4 p.m. April 12 at the FORUM Events Center, 11313 USA Pkwy, Fishers. Nearly 70 local authors and literary organizations from Fishers, Noblesville, Carmel, Westfield, Cicero, Indianapolis, Greenwood, Anderson, Crawfordsville, and beyond will have exhibit space, and free writing workshops will be available. For more, visit hamiltoneastpl.org.
Mudsock Youth Athletics plans KICK Challenge – Mudsock Youth Athletics has announced the return of the KICK Corporate Challenge, set for Sept. 19 at Billericay Park in Fishers. Registration is open for area businesses to compete in a day of kickball, camaraderie and community impact. Proceeds help fund youth program scholarships for Fishers families in need, coach training and background checks, and field maintenance, benefiting more than 11,000 young athletes in the community. To register, visit myathletics.com/kick.
Eagles softball pitcher a hit at mound and plate
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Zionsville Community High School junior softball player Leah Helton’s talent as a pitcher was evident at a young age.
“When I was younger, I didn’t hit that often,” she said. “When I got to high school, I developed more as a hitter and that led into travel softball, too.”
Helton hit .429 last season, but it’s her pitching that still draws the most attention. She has already accepted a scholarship to play for Indiana University.
“She’s been working a ton on her individual strength and endurance as well as her pitch development,” Eagles coach Mike Garrett said. “She’s been pitching since her freshman year. Last year, we were able to give her offense to back up her pitching. That turned our record around. We’ll be a very competitive team with her arm leading the way. We have the bats now and upperclassmen in the lineup to give her
LEAH HELTON
Favorite subject: English
Favorite TV show: “Gilmore Girls”
Favorite musician: SZA
Favorite vacation spot: Cancun
some run support.”
Last season, the right-handed Helton had a 9-3 record with a 1.52 earned run average and 155 strikeouts. She allowed only 22 walks.
“She has great control,” Garrett said. “We’ll try to keep her fresh for conference games and the postseason.”
Helton said she has worked hard in the weight room.
“I definitely got a lot stronger than I was
Community
School junior pitcher
Leah Helton has committed to Indiana University.
(Photo courtesy of ZCHS athletics)
last year,” she said. “I definitely prioritized weightlifting and I’ve seen that help my game a lot.”
Strength training has enabled Helton to hit for more power.
“For pitching, I feel like I’ve been able to change speeds better than last year,” she said.
The 5-foot-9 Helton said she is optimistic about the team’s improvement this season, too.
“Having a lot of seniors puts you in a good position because everyone is used to the speed of varsity (play),” she said. “I’m looking forward to competing against a lot
of teams and upholding the reputation we created last year. Our defense is a lot more experienced than last year. If there is a year to get far (in the IHSAA Class 4A tournament), I think it could definitely be this year. A goal for us would be to win state. I think we have the potential to beat any team in Indiana.”
Helton started playing softball at age 7. She played several sports, but softball and cheerleading were her main activities.
“I quit cheer after elementary school to focus on softball,” she said. “In middle school, I did cross country for a year. But I decided I liked practicing for softball a lot more.”
Helton, who plays club softball for the Indiana Magic Gold 16-and-under team, committed to play for IU in October 2024.
“I really liked that IU was close to home, so my parents could watch me play,” she said. “I also really clicked with the coaching staff. I liked how high energy they were because that’s something important for me.”
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.
Helton
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Fishers Event Center showcases local art
news@currentinfishers.com
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S.
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S.
DISPLAYS
Email: kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com www.fishersdentalcare.com
info@fishersdentalcare.com Personalized
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S.
info@fishersdentalcare.com
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S. Molly E. Dwenger, D.D.S.
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S. Molly E. Dwenger, D.D.S.
Email: kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com www.fishersdentalcare.com
Email: kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com www.fishersdentalcare.com
Email: kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com www.fishersdentalcare.com
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S.
info@fishersdentalcare.com
info@fishersdentalcare.com
The Fishers Event Center recently announced that it commissioned local artists to create unique pieces of art to be showcased throughout the venue. Featured artists are Aaron Scamihorn, Lucie Rice, the Chromatic Collective and Mike Altman.
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Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S. 11959 Lakeside Drive | Fishers, Indiana 46038 317.577.1911 | Fax 317.576.8070
Email: kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com www.fishersdentalcare.com
OPEN HOUSE
According to the announcement, Scamihorn is an award-winning creative professional whose expertise includes gig poster art, product design and more than 20 years in marketing.
Scamihorn’s work at the Fishers Event Center is featured on two “Photo Op” walls on the first and second level concourse. The murals feature items representative of Fishers Event Center events and branding. He also has designed posters for Fishers Event Center events, including Turnpike Troubadours, Lindsey Stirling, Alabama and the Indy Fuel home opener.
A transplant to Carmel in 2020, Rice is from Kentucky and received her MFA in illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
“Drawing creative inspiration from those Southern roots, combined with a passion for all things mid-century, Rice has created a unique style that is full of layered patterns, textures, bright color and detail,” the announcement stated. “A few of her notable book, editorial and corporate clients include Google, Purina, the Grand Ole Opry, the National Basketball Association, The New Yorker, ESPN and Toyota.”
At the Fishers Event Center, Rice’s work is featured in murals for District Eats, the second level concourse and the second level staircase. Her designs were inspired by the uniqueness of Fishers Event Center as a venue in Hamilton County, reflecting the spirit of the community.
Chromatic Collective is a collaborative duo of artists Rafael Caro and Erica Parker,
known for their use of color and graffiti-inspired style. They studied fine arts at Herron School of Art + Design and previously ran a public gallery, studio and mural art supply shop in Indianapolis.
Chromatic Collective’s work is featured in murals at the back-of-house tour entryway, back-of-house green room hallway, and back-of-house Zamboni garage. The murals were designed to evoke a sense of home for touring acts.
Altman is a local artist who transforms recycled materials into art.
“His work often reflects a deep commitment to sustainability, breathing new life into objects that would otherwise go to waste,” the announcement stated. “Altman partnered with Fishers Event Center to create a series of art pieces. Each character was inspired by the various touring acts that regularly grace the stage at the venue.”
Altman’s work is featured in the back-ofhouse green room hallway.
For more about the Fishers Event Center, visit fisherseventcenter.com.
DISPATCH
Career scholarship program available — Applications are now open for the Indiana Career Scholarship Account program. The program is available to Hoosier students in grades 10-12 interested in internships, apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities. CSAs provide $5,000 annually in scholarship funding to students enrolled in an approved program provider for the upcoming school year. The deadline to apply is Oct. 1, 2025. The program is administered by the Indiana Treasurer of State. Learn more at in.gov/tos/csa.
This example of Mike Altman’s artwork is among several exhibits by local artists on display at the Fishers Event Center. (Photo courtesy of Fishers Event Center)
COVER STORY
SENIOR SHOWCASE
Fishers Arts Council exhibit highlights work of student artists
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
About 100 pieces of artwork by senior art students from Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern high schools will be on display for the April Senior Showcase exhibit, hosted by the Fishers Arts Council.
The exhibit, open through April 28, includes visual art and poetry, spread between the FAC’s Art Gallery at City Hall and Fishers Art Center gallery space across the breezeway at Fishers Municipal Center, 1 Municipal Dr.
Jasmine Osborne, Visual Arts Department chair at Fishers High School, said she’s excited to return to City Hall. The municipal building had been the home of the FAC gallery before the old City Hall was torn down and replaced with the new Fishers Municipal Center, which opened in summer 2024 following about two years of construction.
“We’re really excited to be back in town hall and have this new, truly a gallery space to display our student work,” Osborne said, “By count (March 25), we are representing 51 Fishers (High School) seniors (and) three works of poetry. We have painting, we have sculpture, we have drawing, photography, digital art, ceramics, and then some written words.”
Osborne said students had just finished showing pieces in the district art show the prior weekend, presented at Hamilton Southeastern High School, and have put in a lot of the work getting ready for the Senior Showcase, filling out information cards, measuring pieces and installing matting and framing as needed.
She said the show is important for art students, because it’s a way to show their talent to the whole community.
“We pick which work they would like to show or represent,” she said. “Some of my students have a series … and then there’s other students that just maybe have one outstanding piece to represent.”
She noted one student, Tyler Jens, who creates fractured ceramic sculptures.
“He has built forms out of clay and then intentionally broken them and then fired and glazed them and then reassembled,” she said. “He’s got this really neat, sculptural vision that is completely nonobjec-
tive. I’m excited for people to see his work, because I think it’s pretty outstanding.”
Angela Fritz is the Hamilton Southeastern High School Visual Arts Department chair. She said that over the years, the number of award categories has expanded as the title sponsor, STAR Bank, increased support for the annual show and as other sponsors signed on.
“When we started, we didn’t show three-dimensional work,” she said. “There weren’t separate categories for photography (or) digital work and now there
are, which is really wonderful for the students.”
Miles Dang is one of the students showing artwork, including an 8-foot-tall painting that Dang said is a discussion of the different cultural standards of the country Dang’s family originated from — Vietnam — and those of the United States.
The painting of a woman spilling tea from a teapot includes a background with colors and patterns inspired by ceramics — items that are fragile and elegant — representing the concept of acting complacent
HEADLINE: IF YOU GO
The STAR Bank Senior Showcase exhibit is on display at the Art Gallery at City Hall and the Fishers Art Center April 7 through 28.
Les Reinhardt, Fishers Arts Council executive director, said the majority of the 2D artwork will be in the Art Gallery at City Hall in the Fishers Municipal Center, 1 Municipal Dr. All 3D and large-format artwork will be in the Fishers Art Center galleries across the breezeway. Poetry will be displayed in both locations.
A Second Friday reception is set for 6 to 8 p.m. April 11 with live music by Naomi Gray. The STAR Bank scholarship awards reception will be 6 to 8 p.m. April 18, with live music by Us and the awards ceremony at 6:45 p.m. in the Fishers Municipal Center Theater, where more than $4,000 in scholarships will be awarded. Both receptions are open to the public.
For more, visit fishersartscouncil.org/ upcoming-events.
and agreeable.
“In Vietnam, that’s typically a compliment,” Dang said. “However, in America, that’s seen more as an insult, because America treasures leadership and those who go against the status quo. I’m trying to somewhat twist that around in this painting with the tea spilling out — that’s almost an unruly sight with such an organized piece above.”
Like Fishers High School, HSE seniors will show about 50 pieces in the exhibit, mostly from the school’s advanced placement art class, which Fritz said is a college-level class.
“It’s billed as a high school show, but I think (the public) would be surprised if they come out to see it,” she said. “We get an awful lot of support for the district art show, and I always hear that people are really surprised at the level and the quality. So, I just would encourage them to come and see.”
ON THE COVER: Hamilton Southeastern High School senior art student Oliver Miles’ painting is one of about 50 from HSE that will be in the Fishers Arts Council’s Senior Showcase exhibit. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)
Fishers High School senior art student Jordan Bishop works on a piece in class. (Photo courtesy of Jasmine Osborne)
Miles Dang’s large painting will be on display during the Fishers Arts Council’s Senior Showcase exhibit. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)
Sunglasses: More than a fashion statement
Commentary by Dr. Hannah Wilson
VISION
We all know about the importance of wearing sunscreen to protect our skin from harmful UV rays, but so often our eyes are forgotten when it comes to preventing damage. Just like our skin, our eyes need year-round protection.
There are three types of UV rays. Fortunately, the most dangerous type, UV-C, gets filtered out by the ozone layer and does not pose a threat to our vision. UV-A rays are longer wavelength and penetrate to the back of the eye, called the retina, which can ultimately contribute to macular degeneration. UV-B rays are shorter wavelength and dangerous to the clear outer layer of our eyes, called the cornea.
Excess exposure to UV-B rays can lead to photokeratitis, like a “sunburn” of the eye, resulting in substantial irritation, watering, light sensitivity and redness. Other long-term ocular effects of chronic UV exposure include growths on the conjunctiva (the white portion of our eyes), cataracts, and even forms of eyelid and conjunctival cancer.
If you’re wondering how to protect your eyes from this potential damage, look no further than a good quality pair of sunglasses. To provide adequate protection, sunglasses should block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation. Keep in mind that UV protection is not directly correlated to the sunglass tint, so darker does not always mean better. In addition, the sunglass frame should sit close to your eyes and contour to the shape of your face to block as many UV rays as possible.
Sunglasses are more than a fashion choice. They are essential to keeping our eyes protected and healthy. Don’t neglect your eyes and be sure a quality pair of sunglasses are on the packing list for your next vacation!
Activate Brain and Body Fitness opened in October 2024 in
Fishers fitness center works the mind as well as muscles
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
A unique fitness concept that exercises the mind and the muscles opened its doors in Fishers last fall, the only Indiana location for Activate Brain and Body Fitness.
FITNESS
The company started in Cincinnati in 2022, said Adam Ortman, chief exercise science officer, and the Fishers location is its second site. Ortman said the founders wanted to expand but also wanted to open in locations that are close enough that they can visit each site regularly.
Ortman said the space at 10995 Allisonville Rd. In Fishers, just north of 108th Street, is not typical for a fitness center, because it shares a building. But, he said it works because its neighbor is OrthoIndy, an orthopedic health care provider.
“It’s a great referral source — the post-(physical therapy) demographic are some of our ideal clients, as far as going or coming out of an injury, looking at how to rehab properly,” he said.
Activate promotes the link between exercise and brain health, Ortman said.
“Everything is science based — programming with the brain first,” he said. “That means throughout the sessions, the one-hour sessions, you are focusing on the brain, whether it’s memory, visual, spatial processing, reaction time, processing speed, with the hopes of improving things
like focus, attention, memory, brain fog and essentially … the cognitive decline that happens as we age.”
Each client gets a detailed assessment when they start, with follow-up assessments every 12 weeks for both physical and cognitive data points.
“We look at things like your reaction time, your focus, your decision making or memory,” he said. “Sort of like when you go to a doctor and you get bloodwork, and then they look at the panel and essentially say, here’s what’s good, here’s what’s bad, here’s the action plan.”
There is plenty of physical exercise, too.
“It’s exercises that you would normally see — the pushups, the squats, the curls, the burpees, or whatever is appropriate to the individual,” Ortman said. “Based on the assessment, we tailor it to that individual. Everything is customized to the individual. I think there’s a lot of misconceptions. Sometimes when they hear Activate Brain and Body, they think it’s only brain games, but we’re going to sweat, we’re going to work the heart, we’re going to work the muscles and we’re going to work the brain.”
Ortman said the average age of clients is 55, but people of all ages come into Activate for help with their wellness journey. After a successful launch in Fishers, he said the company plans to eventually open a third site in Columbus, Ohio.
For more, visit activatebrainandbody. com.
Fishers. (Photo courtesy of Adam Ortman)
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Dolenz to share songs, stories of The Monkees
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Micky Dolenz makes certain the legacy of The Monkees lives on.
Dolenz, the last surviving member of the group formed for a 1966 TV series, will perform his show “Micky Dolenz of the Monkees: An Evening of Songs and Stories” at 8 p.m. April 25 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
“Some things always remain constant. I always sing the great big Monkees hits in their entirety,” Dolenz said. “You kind of have an unspoken contract with the audience when you are in my position. They want to hear those hits. Once they know they are going to get those hits, you can go on and do all kinds of things. Over the years, I’ve done deep album cuts. I’ve done other artists’ material. That changes up a lot.”
Dolenz, 80, said he has learned that people love to hear stories of his experiences.
“I tell stories of Stephen Stills, Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles,” said Dolenz, who was The Monkees’ drummer and colead singer. “I find if I tell these stories and then follow it with a song that’s appropriate, a punchline if you will, that ties into the story.”
But the stories are only a part of the show.
“It’s a flat-out rock ‘n’ roll concert,” he said. “I have a five-piece band plus my sister who sings with me.”
Some of The Monkees’ biggest hits include “I’m a Believer,” “Daydream Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville” and “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You.”
Dolenz pays tributes to his late bandmate with photos. Co-lead singer Davy Jones died in 2012, followed by bass guitarist and keyboardist Peter Tork in 2019 and guitarist Michael Nesmith in 2021.
“It was like one blow after another, but in a way it’s like they are still there because of all the songs I sing and all the photographs,” Dolenz said.
TV reruns of “The Monkees” have
sparked interest in different age groups of fans.
“It’s quite common to have two or three generations because of the resurgence in 1986 and then again in 2006,”
Dolenz said.
Dolenz said he gives credit to all the great songwriters each show. The band had songs written by Neil Diamond, Carole King and Gerry Goffin, Neil Sedaka, Carole Bayer Sager and Tommy Boyce/ Bobby Hart.
“It was an enormous stable of writers,” Dolenz said. “But there was also the television show and the writers of that and the producers and directors. It was not a band created for a TV show. It was a television show about a band that was an imaginary band that didn’t exist except on the television show.”
But Dolenz said the producers knew the actors would perform because they cast the show like it was a musical.
“You had to be able to sing, dance, act and play an instrument,” he said.
Dolenz said all the pieces fit together.
“At a certain point, the whole became greater than the sum of its parts,” Dolenz said.
Dolenz said sometimes he performs 100
or more shows a year.
“When I lived in England in the 1970s and ‘80s, I didn’t do any touring,” Dolenz said. “I was just directing and producing television shows.”
He resumed performing in 1986 with a Monkees’ 20th anniversary tour.
Dolenz, who was a child star in the TV show “Circus Boy” in the 1950s, said the break from performing probably kept him from burning out.
“During the second season of ‘The Monkees,’ I was already thinking about moving on and getting into production and directing,” he said. “I went to England and got lucky directing for the BBC and some films. It came at a very opportune time.”
Dolenz joked that what keeps him going is that a moving target is tougher to hit.
“It’s what I do,” he said. “It’s my day job. It is my business, show business.”
Dolenz said he will keep performing as long as it’s profitable and rewarding.
“It’s like someone throwing you a birthday party every night because the songs engender so much affection from so many people,” he said. “The songs are so great, it’s hard to go wrong.”
For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
‘JERSEY BOYS’
“Jersey Boys” runs through April 13 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
‘SPIDER’S WEB’
Main Street Productions presents Agatha Christie’s “Spider’s Web” through April 13 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
Comedy Night is set for April 10, followed by Dueling Pianos April 11 and Divas of the Songbook April 12 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All three performances are set for 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
WORLD VOICE DAY
World Voice Day is 8 p.m. April 10 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Singers will sign up on arrival and must bring sheet music. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
‘RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL’
Carmel Community Players presents “Ruthless! The Musical” through April 13 at The Switch Theatre at Ji-Eun Lee Music Academy in Fishers. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.
UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain will perform at 8 p.m. April 12 at the Palladium at Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
DISPATCH
Heartland Film fundraiser set — Cinemania, Heartland Film’s signature fundraiser, returns with the theme “A Tribute to Dance Films of the 80s.” Presented by F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co., it is set for April 11 at The Crane Bay Event Center in Indianapolis. The celebration is inspired by classic films like “Flashdance,” “Purple Rain,” “Fame,” “Dirty Dancing,” “Footloose” and “Xanadu.” Sponsor and party-pack tickets are good from 6 to 11 p.m. and premiere tickets are good from 7 to 11 p.m. For more, visit heartlandfilm.org.
CONCERT
Micky Dolenz is the last surviving member of The Monkees. (Photo courtesy of Micky Dolenz)
Symphony on the Prairie set
CONCERTS
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Kroger Symphony on the Prairie schedule opens with Fleetwood Mac and ABBA tribute acts in the final weekend of June. The schedule runs through August at Conner Prairie in Fishers. Gates open at 6 p.m. and concerts begin at 8 p.m. For more, visit indianapolissymphony.org.
June 27 — Tusk: The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute. Featuring the ISO
June 28 — Arrival from Sweden: The Music of ABBA. Featuring the ISO
July 3 - 5 — Kroger Symphony on the Prairie presents the Star-Spangled Symphony with the ISO with conductor Alfred Savia and guest jazz trumpeter Byron Stripling.
July 11 - 12 — Disney in Concert: Once Upon a Time. Conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly
July 18-19 — Celebrate the music of iconic composers John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Alan Silvestri, and more as Everly and the ISO bring to life music from legendary film scores
July 25 — Greatest Love of All: A Tribute
to Whitney Houston. Singer Belinda Davids will perform “The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston,” with Lopez-Yañez and the ISO.
July 26 — EagleMania — The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band. Get ready for EagleMania — The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band, featuring Lopez-Yañez and the ISO.
August 1-2 — Let’s Sing Taylor: An Unofficial Live Tribute Band.
August 8 — Dark Star Orchestra. Recreating a Deer Creek Grateful Dead concert experience.
August 9 — Face2Face. A Tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel
August 15 — One Night of Queen. Featuring Gary Mullen & The Works
August 16 — Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute
August 22 — Neil Forever. The music of Neil Diamond
August 23 — A1A. The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show
August 29 — In-Vincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson.
August 30 — Voyage. Celebrating the Music of Journey.
LIFESTYLE
1. Book jacket promo
6. Disfigurement
10. Fishers Event Center convention freebies
14. Gung-ho
15. Well-ventilated
16. “Doggone it!”
17. Colorful Kosciusko County place
19. Lo-cal
20. Half of hex-
21. Tom Wood inventory
22. Takes the bait
23. Guitar kin, briefly
24. Indiana Senate staffer
25. Fixate
28. Elegant and stylish
30. Less diluted
31. ___ and Caicos Islands
33. Sock part
35. Polo rival
INDOT to host public open houses for 2026-2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)
The Indiana Department of Transportation announces opportunities to learn more and provide comments regarding its draft 2026-2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
The STIP is Indiana’s five-year planning and construction document that lists all transportation projects expected to be funded within the next five years using federal funding in addition to regionally significant state funded projects. The current STIP (2024-2028) is available on INDOT’s STIP webpage and the draft 2026-2030 STIP will be available beginning April 1st.
Learn more about the STIP with the STIP Public Primer, also available on INDOT’s STIP webpage.
Open houses will take place at the following locations (all times in EST):
Indianapolis: Thursday, April 10, 2:30-5 p.m. Indianapolis Public Library Ft. Ben Branch 9330 E. 56th St. Indianapolis, IN 46216
No RSVP or pre-registration is necessary for the in-person open houses.
Virtual open houses will be held on Thursday, April 3, at 1 p.m. and Thursday, April 24, at 5 p.m. Please scan the QR code to register. A participation link will be shared ahead of the virtual meeting.
36. Old Testament book
37. Go sightseeing
38. Immediately 39. Purse handle
40. Westfield HS prom outfits
41.
Hoity-toity
43. Quite a crowd
45. Fastener
46. Tin Man’s need
47. Fencing sword
49. Mooring site
52. Slugger’s stat
55. Tater
56. Colorful Hancock County place
58. Infamous fiddler
59. In the vicinity
60. Current edition
61. USMC rank
62. “Do ___ others...”
63. Short letters Down
1. Top-rated
2. Hibernation spot
3. Citrus hybrid
4. Gun an IndyCar engine
5. Word after heart or circuit
6. Pretzel topping
7. “Arrivederci!”
8. Torah chests
9. Shapiro’s loaf
10. Side in eight-ball
11. Colorful Boone County place
12. Poker stake
13. Attends
18. Regrets
22. View with a skew 23. Second-hand 24. ___-Seltzer
25. Greek liqueurs
26. Colorful Hendricks County place
27. I-Team 8 news feature
28. Moved cautiously
29. Indiana’s senior US Senator
30. Noblesville HS wrestler’s win
32. Patriotic chant
34. IU Health trauma centers
36. Web address starter
37. Level or bevel
39. Fly high 40. Mythical beast that’s half lion and half eagle 42. The letter E, in Morse code 44. Westfield Marching Band instrument 47. Indiana tax
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