www.thepaperofwabash.com LOCAL POSTAL
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
PATRON
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WABASH, IN PERMIT NO. 233
Wabash Area Community Theater closes on building — Page 4 March 10, 2021
Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
Vol. 43, No. 51
Southwood senior named Rising Star Farr among 21 honored by NBA By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
A Southwood High School senior was named an Indianapolis NBA All-Star Rising Star. Alex Farr was one of 21 high school seniors around Indiana to receive the honor from the Indianapolis NBA All-Star Host Committee in association with the NBA All-Star Legacy Grants awarded last February. The honor includes a $2,100 scholarship for each Rising Star payable to the college, university or post-secondary institution they attend after high school graduation. “I was very pleased with the honor,” Farr told The Paper of Wabash County. White’s Residential and Family Services, through being named a Legacy Grantee, nominated Farr and several other high school-aged Rising Stars for the honor. From the nominees, the Indianapolis NBA AllStar Legacy Committee, a sub-committee of the host committee, selected one Rising Star from each of the 21 grant recipients. “I really appreciate what White’s does and how they reach out to kids, not only to the White’s kids, but the kids at Southwood as well,” he added. The Indianapolis NBA All-Star game festivities were to take place Feb. 12-14. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, festivities were canceled and rescheduled for Feb. 16-18, 2024. Despite the delay, the Indianapolis NBA All-Star Host Committee committed to completed the 21 Legacy Grant projects and recognizing the 21 Rising Stars. They also plan to include the Rising Stars in activities related to the 2024 NBA All-Star game. “These 21 high school seniors selected as Rising Stars each demonstrate leadership in their schools and communities,” said Rick Fuson, Founding Chairman, Indianapolis NBA All-Star Board of Directors and President and Chief Operating Officer, Pacers Sports & Entertainment. “They exemplify strong ideals, a drive to excel and commitment to serving others and we are honored to recognize them as they continue their postsecondary education.” The $1 million Indianapolis NBA All-Star Legacy Grants focus on youth-serving nonprofit organizations across Indiana. The initiative provided 21 grants up to $50,000 for brick-and-mortar projects focused on health and wellness or education with an estimated impact on 90,000 youth statewide. Farr is a standout three sport student athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball for the Knights. He has been a part of the Heartland Career Center’s home-building initiative. He also has given of himself through mission trips to Alabama, as well as to Santiago, Dominican Republic. After high school, Farr plans to attend a lineman’s school in Indiana with hopes of working for an electrical company around Wabash. In his letter of recommendation for Farr, MSD of Wabash County Superintendent Mike Keaffaber wrote, “I am nominating Alexander because of his leadership at school and on the field of play, and his maturity and others-centered outlook.” Farr said he was honored to have the superintendent speak highly of him. “I was very pleased,” Farr said. “I was glad that he recognized me as one of three from the school (to be nominated) for the award. I’m glad that he saw me as a future leader and Rising Star.”
FREE
Alex Farr (10) drives toward the basket during Southwood’s semi-final game at the IHSAA Sectional No. 53 at North Miami High School on Friday. Photo by Joseph Slacian
From mowing lawns to the research lab Southwood grad leads study in autoimmune disease By Mandy Mahan mmahan@thepaperofwabash.com Jason Knight grew up in Somerset and attended Southwood High School. He ran cross country, played basketball, was a member of Knight’s Brothers’ Lawn Service, which he ran with his brother, and was Southwood High School Valedictorian in 1995. When he graduated he propelled himself into the world of science and medicine. Knight furthered his education throughout the years of 1995 to 2012. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry at Indiana University, Bloomington; attended University of Michigan Medical School and the University of Michigan program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ann Arbor, Mich.; attended University of Pennsylvania, Department of Microbiology, Philadelphia, Pa.; received his M.D. at the University of Michigan Medical School and his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology; attended the University of Michigan Department of Internal Medicine Residency Program; and completed his fellowship with the University of Michigan JASON Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology Fellowship Program. Following his fellowship, Knight was a Clinical Lecturer in the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Michigan from 2012-13; assistant professor in the same division from 2014-19 and currently is the Associate Director of the Lupus Program and the associate professor in the Division of Rheumatology,
Published Weekly, Read Daily
both at University of Michigan. Knight also told The Paper of Wabash County that he had research experience at Indiana University. “I was lucky to have great undergraduate research experiences at Indiana University,” he said. “My research mentor was John Richardson, a biochemist who had trained in his early career with James Watson, one of the discoverers of the double helix.” Currently, Knight is a rheumatology doctor running a research lab. “I run a research lab that is especially interested in something called Antiphospholipid Syndrome, or APS,” he said. “APS is an unpredictable, chronic autoimmune disease that can cause dangerous clots to form in the body’s blood vessels. An estimated 200,000 people in the United States have this condition that leads to serious and sometimes life-threatening complications including stroke, heart attack, and pregnancy-related problems such as miscarriage or premature birth. “Our team, along with many collaborators across Michigan Medicine, are working to advance the understanding of the disease process and identify new, sophisticated approaches to the treatment of APS that are both personalized and proactive. We are also taking KNIGHT what we learn about blood clotting in APS and applying that knowledge to other diseases including lupus, diabetes, and COVID-19.” Knight told The Paper that his interest in this specific syndrome came from his experience with some patients he met early in his rheumatology training. “My team now cares for about 200 individuals with Continued on Page 7
FREE