2
IN Whitley County
www.inwhitleycounty.com
Thursday, May 17, 2018
TED TALKS: Remembers living in the trailer park COMIC: Junk is especially inspired by Stan Lee FROM PAGE 1
FROM PAGE 1
story in an effort to bring awareness to a group that makes up a significant portion of the homeless population – children. One in 30 American children experience homelessness annually, according to the Bassuk Center on Homeless and Vulnerable Children & Youth. “It’s about bringing awareness to a topic that we think we know, but we really don’t know,” she said. When people think of homelessness, the first thing that often comes to mind is the picture of adults who have fallen on hard times or who are struggling with an addiction and/or mental health issues, Gerard said. While such individuals do make up a portion of the homeless population, the stereotype causes people to overlook children who experience homelessness, she said. Unfortunately, policy that deals with the homeless population is often based on stereotypes that don’t tell the whole story, Gerard said. For example, 71 cities have made it illegal to feed the homeless. “When you wrap your head around what the largest population of homeless is and how it’s illegal to feed them in these cities… We’re making it legal to not feed children?” she said. By sharing her story, she hopes that she can put a face on this population and change the way people look at homelessness. Gerard also hopes to open people’s eyes to the poverty that is all around them. If you haven’t lived it, you don’t know what it looks like, she said. “If you want a really good view of what poverty looks like, go out to Miami Village. There aren’t any resources within walking distance,” she said. Gerard remembers living in the trailer park as a child and having to walk to town for groceries because her mother
recess time to make comic books with his friends. He especially enjoys illustrating. “In our comic group, I do the actual book and the drawing, and they do the story part,” Junk said. “I’m not so good at writing, but I like drawing comics.” He is especially inspired by Stan Lee’s Marvel comics, and has watched videos to learn how to draw comics similar to Lee’s. He also enjoys newspaper comic strips. “My grandma and grandpa have a bunch of old newspapers from the 1980s and there are a bunch of old comic strips in there,” Junk said. “They gave them to me and that’s how I’ve learned.” Junk likes Garfield comics in newspapers, but especially like’s Marvel’s Wolverine and the X-Men. “I don’t agree with the movies, like ‘Logan,’ that was bad,” he said. “The X-Men in the comic books, I really like those. The Wolverine character is cool with the story of his life and his powers. It seemed really painful to grow his claws.” Illustrating comic books may be in Junk’s future, but first he wants to pursue a career in baseball. Junk wants to “get really good grades” and try to go to college at Notre Dame to play baseball.
BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ
April Gerard, of Columbia City, was one of 11 speakers selected to present at the TEDx Fort Wayne Conference March 24.
didn’t have a car. “In rural communities, it’s really easy to miss the signs of poverty because it’s so far removed,” she said. To watch Gerard’s full TED Talk, visit https://www.facebook.com/TEDxFortWayne/videos/1635759639810716/.
NICOLE MINIER
Jack Junk has used Stan Lee’s Marvel comics as inspiration for his artwork. Pictured above is a portion of Junk’s award-winning comic book.
“Hopefully, I could be seen and make it into the major leagues and play for the Chicago Cubs because that’s my favorite team,” Junk said. His backup plan is to be an artist. Though he wouldn’t mind making newspaper comics, he especially wants to make comic books. “I would like to make my own series,” Junk said.
He’s already exploring ways to distribute his work, such as selling his books at his cousin’s barber shop or trying to get his comic books published, “which is really hard.” “I have a long way to go,” Junk said. Junk frequents many comic books stores, including the one in downtown Columbia City and others in Fort Wayne.
Chamber’s Education Forum brings together superintendents to share what’s new, what’s next CONTRIBUTED COLUMBIA CITY — Annually, the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center hosts leaders from the three local school districts for an annual Education Forum. This year’s lunch program will be held at noon on Tuesday, May 22, at The Center for Whitley County Youth located at 201 W. Market St. in Columbia City.
School superintendents attending the forum will include Patricia O’Connor from Whitley County Consolidated Schools, Steve Clason from Whitko Community Schools and Dan Hile from Smith-Green Community Schools. Each representative will have the opportunity to discuss the future of education in Whitley County and the most pressing issue facing their school
district. In addition, there will be a question and answer session for audience members. Cost for the event is $15 per person and includes lunch, which will be served at 11:45 a.m. To register, contact the Chamber office at 248-8131 or email office@whitleychamber. com. The deadline to register is Friday, May 18.
KUMFER: Chose to make Columbia City his home FROM PAGE 1
municipal government. “I want a higher level
of cooperation between cities and towns and the county,” Kumfer
Attention Employers MAKE RECRUITMENT EASIER! Extend your search affordably. Advertise with INHelpWanted.com to find top candidates via print, social networks, and the top national job sites.
It’s never been easier to recruit the talent you need.
Let’s talk! (877)791-7877
INHelpWanted@KPCmedia.com
said. “We can do more together than we can do individually. Anything to make it more efficient and effective — we should explore ways to make that happen.” Though Kumfer wasn’t born and raised in Whitley County, he chose to make Columbia City his home. “We could have gone many different places, but we made the decision to stay here. It’s a good place to live,” Kumfer said.