December issue

THE PILOT FLASHES Volume 99 Issue 3

December 9, 2016

Faces of Franklin Township

Dear Reader,

Our township is filled with amazing people who are making a difference in our community. We wanted to highlight 50 of those individuals in this issue.

We chose to follow the same idea of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People and create our own list of 50 influential people of Franklin Township.

All staff, students, and parents were chosen by the principals of their school except those at Franklin Central who were chosen by the staff here at The Pilot Flashes.

We wish we could spotlight so many more, but because of time and space, we only have room for 50.

All of those mentioned have done so much good for the community and we thank them for it.

We hope you enjoy this issue and congratulations again to all those selected!

Happy Holidays from The Pilot Flashes

Pilot Flashes Patrons

Albert & Julie Brashear Holly Knoop Laura Dodson Rebecca Knoop Alphonse & Candace Ducre Lisa Laker Jennifer Jackson-Harr Thomas Mathews The Hart Family Greg McDermott Mandy Hazlett Kathleen Roberts Brian & Beth Ann Heilers Porsche Young Alex Hutton Delores Whittler Kellsey James Dan & Michelle Wolfe Cynthia & Thomas James A special thanks to the Franklin Township Superintendent’s Office for funding this issue!

Staff List Editor-In-Chief Lindsey Brashear

Business Manager Sally Knoop

Editors

Sally Knoop Molly Wolfe

Reporters

Alexis Baker Alyssa Cooper Jarrett Dodson Dorian Ducre Jacob Ellis Ethan Gerling Lauren Milligan

Mission Statement

The Pilot Flashes aim to provide accurate and timely content that is relevant to the Franklin Central student body. We encourage you to respond to articles and submit suggestions through e-mail. Each reporter’s contact information will be listed at the beginning of his or her article Your feedback is appreciated and will help improve The Pilot Flashes.

Stay Connected with The Pilot Flashes @fcpilotflashes

Keep your eyes peeled for behind-thescenes info and fundraiser updates!

https://issuu.com/thepilotflashes Check out other issues of The Pilot Flashes from this year and become a Pilot Patron while you’re there!

new principal at Acton Elementary School. Wessel-Burke came into Acton with seven years of experience from being the principal of Bunker Hill Elementary.

Wessel-Burke grew up in Perry Township and graduated from Anderson Universirty.

She received her masters degree in Education and Administrations at Redland University in California.

She says she became a princicpal to connect with her students and thier families. She says,“I love to encourage and build strong relationships with the staff, families, and the students.”

With this being her first year at Acton Elementary, Wessel Burke wants to help create a better and stronger communtiy for the hundreds of students hat come through Acton.

“I love teaching and my main purpose is to help build up and develop students into great people,” says WesselBurke.

Wessel-Burke’s passion for her occupation is very evident and she plans on working as Acton’s prinipal for a long time.

“I don’t believe there is another job were I could gain the satisfaction of seeing students growth,” says WesselBurke.

Sarah Poole

Sarah Poole is the office manager at Acton Elementary. This is the first year Acton Elementary has opened since it closed down in 2009 following budget cuts, and with exciting new workers, the school looks to be moving in the right direction.

“This is a great working environment, where the chemistry of the staff, teachers and students is really good,” says Poole.

This is just one of the incentives that encouraged Poole to come work at Acton Elementary. This is Poole’s first year on the job and she has already expressed a genuine love for the community and a sense of belonging.

“I just love the students and staff, and I just feel like Acton is a big family, in which I’m very glad to be a part of,” says Poole.

Not originally from Indiana, Poole attended an elementary school in Columbus, Ohio and later Memphis University in Tennesse.

Poole has been around the Midwest her inspiration has always been education.

“My biggest achievement is my kids,” says Poole.

Mitzi Parsons As many high school seniors and college students will attest, most people in this world constantly have a difficult time searching for a job that falls in line with their passions.

Mitzi Parsons, a second grade teacher at Acton Elementary, is definitely not one of them.

Parsons absolutely loves her job and has lifelong passion for teaching and assisting children in their educational development.

Ever since she was a child, Parsons has always wanted to become a teacher.

“What inspired me to become a teacher was having very influential biology and language teachers when I was in elementary school,” says Parsons.

In order to pursue her career goals, Parsons attended Florida College for one year prior to finishing her degrees in education at Indiana University- Purdue University in Indianapolis.

Parsons has now been teaching for 16 years.

She continues to teach after all this time because of the passion she still has for teaching.

She says, “I just love working with kids and I want to be here for their development and their growing knowledge.”

Parsons has had a very fulfilling time at her job, but has also had some interesting and rather odd interactions with students through her years teaching.

“During one of my first years teaching I had a student who didn’t want to touch paper with his hands, so we gave him gloves to wear at the beginning of the school year”, says Parsons.

ACTON ELEMENTARY

Brooke Wessel-Burke Brooke Wessel-Burke is the

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ADAMS ELEMENTARY

Jessica Johnson Mrs. Jessica Johnson is

Mary Hoots

And the award for Teacher of the Year goes to… Mrs. Mary Hoots!

Hoots won teacher of the year during the 2015-2016 school year at Adams Elementary.

She is a second grade teacher and actively participates in the growth and development of her students.

“It is exciting to see students overcome obstacles to reach their goals,” says Hoots.

When her students reach or exceed their goals, Hoots feels motivated. This motivation helps her strive to make sure that all of her students are able to complete their goals.

One of Hoot’s biggest inspirations is her former professor from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, Prisca Martins. Martins taught Hoots the process of teaching valuable reading skills. This professor was also the one that persuaded Hoots to minor in reading instruction during her time at college.

Hoots loves reading instruction so much that she also reads as a hobby. This hobby has helped her develop a deeper relationship with the faculty and staff members throughout the township through a book club.

Other than reading books, Hoots loves traveling.

She often travels with her family and is always planning a new place to go!

“I also like to plan road trips, so I always have something to look forward to,” says Hoots These road trips help her stay busy when school isn’t in session. Although, she still misses her students.

Hoots does all kinds of activities with the students, but her absolute favorite is being able to conduct Teacher Tables. This method involves sitting down with a group of students and helping them in areas that they are struggling with. This gives the students the more practice that they need.

This also gives Hoots more time with the students.

“I became a teacher because I wanted to help students learn to read and think critically. I love learning new techniques to teach students to be successful learners,” says Hoots.

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an instructional coach from Adams Elementary. She has been in this position for two years, but she was also a teacher for a few years at Adams and Thompson Crossing. During her time at Adams, she supported third grade as paraprofessional, but while at Thompson Crossing, she taught kindergarten and second grade.

“After my time as a teacher, the opportunity of being an instructional coach came up. I knew I wanted to stay in the educational field, so I took a risk and came back here [to Adams],” says Johnson.

Johnson found that this was a rather rewarding risk.

This risk allowed her to continue working with the age group that she loves and allowed her to try new things.

As an instructional coach, Johnson works closely with the teachers and students of the school. She also helps with the instructional assistants. She helps find methods and develops a schedule one how to help their tier-three students. The tier-three students are students that are pulled out of class during the science and math periods to help with reading and writing.

“I love helping the kiddos so much. I love them and I love being in the educational field,” says Johnson.

Grace Moore Grace Moore is a fifth

grade student at Adams Elementary.

Moore isn’t like other students. She’s involved with all kinds of parts of the school, ranging from academic and extracurricular activities.

Currently, during the first semester, Moore is going to be featured in the school’s winter musical as a backup singer. This musical involves Santa and all of his reindeer. Moore is going to be a backup singer for the reindeer, Clarice.

“I kind of get nervous singing in front of people. But, I know that most of the people in my grade would be standing behind me, so that really helps ease my nerves,” says Moore.

The cast and crew has been preparing for the musical since early this school year, and they are expecting a great opening day.

Other than her special role in the musical, Moore also has a special role for next semester. Throughout next semester, Moore will be featured on the school’s announcements as an anchor.

“I know I’ll be reading the announcements, and I’m really excited for it,” says Moore.

Another activity that Moore loves participating in is staying in at recess. Moore stays inside to help her teachers.

She helps by grading papers or cutting out laminated papers, but her favorite thing to do is grade papers.

Moore’s participation within the school’s community really shows her strive and dedication.

Jessica Johnson & Mary Hoots

Melissa Morris

has lived in Franklin Township for the past 20 years, where she has devoted herself to the students in our community.

Morris first began working in schools as a substitute teacher. She then went back to college for her teaching degree, and started working as a kindergarten teacher at South Creek Elementary.

Now, Morris works as the principal of Arlington Elementary. This is her fourth year in the position, and Morris loves it.

Morris was drawn to this job because of all the good she is able to do.

She says, “It’s hard, but so rewarding. I love the kids, and I want to make a difference.”

In order to help and connect with her students, Morris has begun a new program called “Pop Tarts with the Principal.” This sweet program is for students who have overcome social, emotional or an academic goal, or they are just doing the right thing all the time. Morris holds a breakfast with those students who have been selected that month, then they are also recognized on Arlington’s announcements.

Morris began this program to focus her students on doing the right thing and their best. She says, “Failure is not an option.”

Anne Wolfe Anne Wolfe is a fifth

grade REACH student at Arlington Elementary, where she has Cheryl Leonardo and James Preddy as teachers.

Wolfe joined the REACH program, which offers advanced classes to high scoring students, in the third grade after making the switch from Bunker Hill to Arlington.

Wolfe says, “I loved Bunker Hill. I had to find my way, meet new friends, do harder work and keep up my grades once I came to Arlington.”

Outside of the classroom, Wolfe has been a part of Arlington’s Student Council for two years, where she has helped plan school events like the Veteran’s Day Program, candy grams for Riley, and Kid’s Election.

Additionally, Wolfe is a part of the Arlington Ambassadors Program, where she visits younger students in their classes to help teach them important character traits as well as be a role model for them.

As if she wasn’t involved enough, Wolfe is also a part of Arlington’s choir and announcements.

Wolfe says she loves to volunteer; “I’ve been pretty fortunate in my life, so this is my way to give back.”

ARLINGTON ELEMENTARY

Melissa Morris Principal Melissa Morris

Julio Mejia-Banegas Julio Mejia-Banegas is a fourth grade student in Terri Pedigo’s class at Arlington Elementary.

His parents are originally from Honduras, but he and his younger sister, Rose, were both born and raised in

Franklin Township.

Mejia-Banegas truly believes in applying himself in his classes at Arlington.

He says, “I want to have a bright future, my dad tells me if I stay in school and do things right a lot of doors will open up for me.”

As a part of working towards that bright future, Mejia-Banegas is a student ambassador for Arlington, where he mentors younger students and teaches them monthly character traits such as joy and respect, which they call lifelines.

Mejia-Banegas says his work as an ambassador is very important to him.

“I want my school to be a better place. In other

schools, there’s been lots of bullying and I don’t want that to happen here,” he says.

On top of being an ambassador, Mejia-Banegas also works incredibly hard in his classes.

So hard in fact, that even Arlington’s principal, Melissa Morris, says, “He has an excellent work ethic.”

Mejia-Banegas says he loves everything in school, though he admits he enjoys recess and math the most.

However, he says nothing should be able to come easily in his schoolwork, he believes “pretty much everything is something to work hard on and be better at.”

Mejia-Banegas has had to work really hard in school, and though he realizes that he has some limitations he says he wants to be fearless enough, that he could “jump off of a volcano.”

Mejia-Banegas says he is most proud of his friends, family (especially his sister, Rose), and of how long he has been in school and his good grades.

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BUNKER HILL ELEMENTARY

Jennifer Swartz

Teachers and administrators play an important role in the lives of students, but there are many hardworking people outside of the school who work to serve students and their families.

Jennifer Swartz is the president of the parentteacher organization at Bunker Hill Elementary. She has held other positions and offices, but this is her first year serving in this position.

“I work with an incredible group of parents and staff who offer me endless support and encouragement,” Swartz says.

The PTO is best known for their fundraisers.

Because of the support of donors, the PTO has been able to purchase classroom whiteboards, laptops, technology equipment, educational subscriptions and general supplies to enhance the students’ learning environment.

The volunteers are available to help the teachers as well as the students.

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Kent Pettet

Walking into Bunker Hill Elementary is like stepping back in time. Nothing has changed.

The same chairs are in the office, the same pictures hang on the memory filled walls.

The principal of the Bulldogs, Kent Pettet, has worked hard to preserve the efforts of past administrators as well as adding his own touches.

“I was a classroom teacher before this,” says Pettet. “I became an administrator because I wanted to be able to help students and create an environment where they can be successful for more than just those in my classroom.”

Pettet has added banners to the hallways, similar to those seen when entering Franklin Central, to encourage the students to continue pursuing excellence.

“To see the look on a student’s face when they accomplish something they thought they couldn't do is one of the best feelings in the world.”

Whether its meeting with parents and students or helping in a classroom, Pettet is very focused on providing a quality education for all the students at Bunker Hill.

“At the end of the day, it's all about the kids.”

Photos courtesy of the interviewees

“Our volunteers help the staff with administrative work, such as running photocopies, laminating flashcards and shelving library books.”

The PTO also strives to connect the families at Bunker Hill.

“Whether we’re popping popcorn for family movie nights or hiding eggs for the community Easter egg hunt, we believe that bringing our children and families together helps everyone become more successful,” Swartz says.

Going back to work after being a stay-at-home mom for the past ten years has been a bit of an adjustment for Swartz and her family, but, they have been very supportive and remember that even if she misses a basketball game or a field trip, she’s doing the best she can.

“There’s a saying, ‘I can do anything, but I can’t do everything.’ I have sort of embraced this as my new mantra.”

Swartz does what she does because she enjoys helping others.

“I’m just a mom who wants to feel like, at the end of the day, I’ve managed to make one child realize just how special they are. I don’t think that makes me unique, just human.”

Amanda Day

Amanda Day is one of the many unsung heros of Bunker Hill Elementary.

As the resource room teacher for third through fifth graders, Day sees many of the same faces every day.

She gets to work with the students in smaller groups and on a more personal level.

“I get to know exactly how they are feeling about everything,” Day says. “I get to know their strengths and weakness, their thoughts on certain subjects, where they may or may not be confident.”

It wasn’t hard for Day to decide to become a teacher.

She was inspired by her teachers growing up.

Day received a dual major in Elementary Education and Special Education from Purdue University.

Day’s goal as a teacher is to prepare her students to handle situations on their own.

“One time I had a student who had a lot of anxiety about doing poorly in school,” Day says, “She came up to me in a way that I could tell she was upset about something.

But she came to me in a way that showed she had thought through the situation and wasn’t going to get mad or upset about it.”

Day reminds her students that even though they are upset about something, finding a way to learn from it is the most important thing.

Erica Thackery one of the 13 other fifth grade students that currently hold positions in the Robotics Club.

Thackery, outside of school, participates in engineering with her brother and father. They bond together through the repairing her father’s motorcycle. Her brother has developed his skills throughout the years of participating in East’s Robotics Club. Because of her brother’s position, Thackery cites her brother as an inspiration and motivation to her.

“My brother does Robotic Club at the middle school, and he seems to have fun, so I figured I’d try it out,” says Thackery.

So far, her favorite part of the club is coding, which allows the students to control the robot once it has been fully built.

The Robotics club has put an importance on different skills and concepts. The students incorporate sciences, such as physics, into the building of the robot. Along the same line, the students always develop and incorporate special socials skill such as teamwork and a stronger sense of responsibility.

Thackery has shown these skills during club meetings through her patient, and caring attitude. When working with other students, Thackery doesn’t tell them what to do, but helps them figure it out. She also gives other students the opportunity to jump in at any time.

Courtney Lumbley Mrs. Courtney Lumbley is the instructional coach at Kitley Elementary. As an instructional coach, Lumbley does what she can to help the students and teachers.

She develops new techniques and other ways that could possibly improve a teacher’s classroom

environment.

“Coaches help support our school by teaming up with teachers on building resources, finding instructional strategies, or implementing best practices to help kids succeed,” says Lumbley.

Lumbley hasn’t always been an instructional coach, she was also a teacher! She taught for ten years at the middle school level, and third and fourth grade for three years. Despite this experience and her ever growing understanding of the students and teachers, Lumbley can’t develop new techniques and methods on her own.

Instructional coaches often attend professional development seminars, which allows them to develop and gain new ideas that can be shared throughout the rest of the school.

“Working with teachers to try a different strategy, approach, intervention or resource to make that magic happen fills me up! To see teachers empowered to make a difference and champion student growth... there’s nothing better!”

KITLEY ELEMENTARY

Erica Thackery

Blake Warner Blake Warner is a fifth grade teacher at Kitley Elementary. Warner is serving as one of the sponsors, along with Christina Zier, for the first Robotics Club.

This year also marks his first year as a teacher, after being an accountant for ten years.

Warner has always wanted to be a teacher. In high school, he bounced around the idea of being a high school history teacher with his father, who was the principal at the high school, Randolph Southern JR./SR. High School, where Warner graduated from. His father warned him of the competition in pursing this career field.

So, Warner took a class that helped him come up with the idea of being an accountant. He decided that accounting wasn’t for him in his senior year of college. By then, he was already in the transition of being an accountant and decided to continue on with the career. Then, fate struck.

Natalie Lyons & Courtney Lumbley

Warner then was able to go through a transition-to-teaching program that allowed him to become a teacher. Given that Warner already had his bachelor degree, all he had to do was take the basic education-major courses.

Within a year, Warner was finally a teacher.

“I love it. It’s all I’ve wanted to do. It’s taken me awhile, but I’m finally here,” says Warner.

Warner decided on elementary education due to the age group.

“I love the age group of students where there is still a bit of wonder in their lives. Many people become more cynical the older they get and I love the fact that many elementary age students are still awed by some of the concepts we teach.

That sense of awed discovery is really amazing to watch,” says Warner.

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SOUTH CREEK ELEMENTARY

Jennifer Monday

Jennifer Monday teaches kindergarten at South Creek Elementary and adores her job.

She was named Teacher of the Year at her school in 2015.

Monday has been teaching for 20 years, 11 in Warren Township. She has taught kindergarten, first, and second grade.

In those years, Monday has had some odd experiences, including a young student abandoning their underwear in the classroom restroom and searching her classroom for another student’s lost tooth. She genuinely loves her work and her students.

Monday says that her favorite part of teaching is watching her students grow and learn. “My students leave kindergarten reading, writing, adding, and subtracting!” Monday loves spending each day with her students and finds her profession very rewarding.

Monday balances having two children of her own, coaching softball for Franklin Township Girls Softball team, traveling, and teaching.

Holly Sutton Holly Sutton won the Classified Staff Award for all of her work as a Special Education Instructional Assistant at South Creek Elementary. Sutton has been at the elementary school for four years.

Sutton adores her students and her job. She says, “I love these kids!

I look forward to seeing their sweet faces and eager minds every day.” Sutton enjoys being able to work in several different classrooms and see what all the other teachers are doing as well.

Watching and helping her students learn is one of the best things about her job, according to Sutton, especially her students’ ‘Aha!’ moments when they understand or master a new skill. As an IA, she gets to help her students discover their potential and be the very best they can be.

Sutton also volunteers at the Servant’s Heart food panty as a volunteer coordinator, further helping her community.

Toni Stevenson Toni Stevenson is the principal of South Creek Elementary and has been for six years. She went to Bowling Green State University for her undergraduate degree, Indiana University for her masters, and is currently working on earning her doctorate at IU. Stevenson loves her job and working with the children to help them succeed.

“The students here are just so polite. They work on goals that they have either academically or personally. They’re excited to share their successes and they love their school.”

A large part of what makes South Creek so wonderful though is the parent involvement.

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Photos courtesy of interviewees

“Our family involvement is just incredible. Ninetynine percent of our families come to parent teacher conferences in two days. I think this year we had like six families that did not come those two days but they set up another conference,” says Stevenson.

Stevenson does a lot as principal, including some rather unexpected things such as getting taped to walls, wearing an alligator mascot costume, and dressing as the ultimate South Creek fan. “We just have a lot of spirit here.”

When asked why she became an educator and continues to be one, Stevenson replied, “I just can’t imagine doing anything else. My kids went through Franklin Township, my husband graduated from Franklin Township, [we have] five generations here. I just felt like I had to continue to help students.”

Outside of school, Stevenson can be seen training for marathons around the community.

Timothy Siegert

Natalie and Evelyn Siegert are two outgoing fourth grade students at Thompson Crossing.

Besides being students, the girls are involved in volunteer and community service projects not only in Franklin Township, but in downtown Indianapolis as well, such as giving bottled water to Indy’s homeless population, The Siegerts are also both active with Girl Scouts. Their experiences in the program have helped them learn about serving the community through different Girl Scout events.

Volunteering runs in the Siegert family. Natalie and Evelyn, along with their mother and father helped deliver food to those in need for the Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving Dinner, which has been dedicated to feeding the needy of Indianapolis for more than 40 years.

Along with volunteering for events that help the homeless and needy, they are also contributing to

their Church’s food pantry by collecting money to purchase food so that they can give it to individuals and families that need help in their community.

Both girls understand the importance of being kind to others and the impact that it has on the world. Though both enjoy all aspects of serving others, they each have a favorite part.

“My favorite part of volunteering is making other people happy. It is nice getting to meet new people and getting to know them,” says Evelyn.

“My favorite part of volunteering is that it makes other people smile, which makes you smile,” says Natalie. “It makes you want to do more to help people and the world.”

Barbara McCloud Barbara McCloud

Barbara McCloud has been teaching since the fall of 2002.

She began her career at Kitley Intermediate and has since moved to Thompson Crossing Elementary where she is currently a fourth grade teacher.

She served on the district reading curriculum team when she taught second grade, and is currently a part of the district writing and social studies teams. McCloud is also a part of the student council and planned the school’s first Veteran’s Day program. She is also very outgoing in the classroom as well as outside.

McCloud says “My favorite parts about teaching are challenging kids to reach their full potential, and working with students on projects outside of the classroom.”

When McCloud’s former students come to her to share their accomplishments, or even just say hello,

THOMPSON CROSSING ELEMENTARY

Natalie and Evelyn Siegert

she says that that is her best accomplishment as a teacher, because she knows she has made a difference in their lives.

Working with children is something that McCloud had always wanted to do. She is motivated by her former fourth grade teacher, Mr. McClelland. McClelland helped her understand reading comprehension through working together and discussion.

“He [McClelland] would work with me in a small group and sometimes one-on-one. I can remember how proud I felt once I started improving my comprehension. I also remember how proud he was of my hard work and how he didn’t give up on me. I want my students to know that.” says McCloud.

There are many types of children that come through Thompson Crossing, and McCloud believes that the wide array of students has helped her grow as a teacher.

McCloud says “I have gained experience in reaching out to families in need of support at school and in the community.”

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FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP MIDDLE SCHOOL EAST 9

Samantha Warner

Amy Miller

Samantha Warner is the teacher of the Media Aide class at Franklin Township Middle School East. As part of the curriculum, she created the Junior Pilot Flash (JPF), a student- run online newspaper, last year.

“As a Library Media Specialist, it is my job to Samantha Warner prepare students with 21st-century skills not only for higher education or for a future career, but also for their everyday encounters with technology” says Warner.

These students are unique because they must either be nominated by a teacher or apply to be in the class.

Warner is very passionate about the JPF and has many goals: producing video announcements, creating monthly newsletters to promote school activities, creating video projects to promote positive school climate and learning digital citizenship and literacy.

One day, you’ll be reading from these journalists in the Pilot Flash.

In the meantime, you can check out their news on the school website, Facebook (FTMS East) and Twitter (@SamanthaK614 with #eastflashes).

Warner’s hard work has allowed for students to gain journalism skills and to better inform Franklin Township.

Three years ago, Amy Miller, assistant principal of Franklin Township Middles School East, created the Walkathon. She realized the students, staff, and parents were tired of fundraisers that involved selling different items, so she developed other ways of raising money.

This was also an event that Amy Miller could build spirit among students and staff while promoting physical activity. The giving component was added to show the students how they could “Be the Difference” as a school.

Miller partnered with the Make-a-Wish Foundation this year with the mission to “serve a unique, and vital, role in helping strengthen and empower children battling life-threatening medical conditions.” They have organized volunteers, donors and supporters to grant the wishes of children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions.

Ava, 3, was granted her wish with the help of East and the Make-a-Wish Foundation and will be going to Disney world soon. Ava was able to come to the Walkathon with her family.

The Flashes rose over $20,000. Eight-thousand dollars went towards making Ava’s wish come true.

Miller plans on doing the Walkathon again with some new improvements. If it wasn’t for her, the Walkathon would not have been so successful.

Jake Smalley

Jake Smalley is a Social Studies teacher, difference in Franklin Township. He believes he has baseball coach, and the Business Professionals a fantastic group of students and enjoys being able of America advisor. The BPA is a co-curricular to work, chat, and guide them on a weekly basis. activity available to students at East.

“BPA is special because it provides Through competition and community our students with something new,” outreach events they try to help Smalley says. “It provides them with new students develop essential skills in place to feel connected with school, a new leadership, academia, technology and place to build relationships with their citizenship. peers, and a new place to expand upon This is only the second year that and utilize the content that they learn the BPA has been a co-curricular each and every day in the classroom.” group. Last year, every member Smalley has several goals for the participated at the State Leadership club this year but the most important conference. Seven students also to him is that each student involved in Jake Smalley qualified for the National Leadership BPA grows as a student, as a leader, and as a Conference held in Boston last May. citizen. If they have met that goal by the end of the There are a lot of new students, so Smalley year, then he doesn’t care how high a student places is interested to see how well they do in in competitions or how much money is raised for competitions. However, he has been blown away the kids to travel to leadership conferences because by their efforts thus far in the year. each student will have taken something positive Smalley loves seeing his students make a away from their BPA experience.

“Earth Without Art is Just Eh” Veronica Curtis and Kelly Barnes

It is safe to say that Franklin Township Middle received through a grant to combine technology School East art teachers, Veronica Curtis and and photography to create works of art.

Kelly Barnes, agree with the following quote; One way middle school students throughout “Earth without art is just eh.” Curtis and Barnes the township can be creative is by the art camps teach visual art and host an art show and two camps offered by Curtis and Barnes. These camps occur throughout the year. twice a year in FTMS East’s classrooms. There are Tatyana Gray, former student, says, “They different projects planned for each day. really helped you whenever you had uncertainty “Mrs. Barnes and I work hard to offer projects with a project.” that are exciting and not Curtis has known that something our students she wanted to become an would normally get to art teacher since she was a experience in our regular junior in high school. She art classes,” says Curtis. was a teacher’s assistant An annual event for her ceramics teacher, that the visual arts Mr. Gararie. He would let department hosts is her teach projects to his the Art Show. It is an Ceramics 1 classes. opportunity to showcase “I loved it,” says Curtis. all of the best work that I still remember telling him was created throughout that I would get my teaching the year. Students and degree and then take his job their guests can even www.eastmakesart.weebly.com Curtis and Barnes at art camp when he retired.” create their own art there. This past Barnes decided to become an art year, over 750 pieces of art were on teacher because of the amazing mentors along the display. Some of this artwork from each grade way who inspired her to want to share her love of level are even framed and added to the Permanent art with others.

Art Collection made possible by the PTO. They “I enjoy being a part of guiding my students are displayed in the hallway for everyone to enjoy through the creative process and showing them in the years to come. a technique and then seeing how they use their For the past two years, professional artists imaginations to make it their own,” she says. have come in and create work during the show.

Both Barnes and Curtis have favorite media of The artists talk to the students and their guests art. about what it is like to be a professional artist.

In addition to having a They see the impact teaching degree, Curtis also art has on the school and has a degree in furniture community. Curtis and design.

Her favorite Barnes agree that art medium of art is wood. has allowed students to She enjoys designing and have an outlet to express building custom furniture themselves. They believe in her basement workshop. art allows them to be free She also does small hand thinkers and problem carved sculptures. solvers. For some of their Barnes loves sculpture. students, art is the one When she was in college, area of school that they she got the opportunity to enjoy and excel at. For www.eastmakesart.weebly.com study abroad in Italy and was fascinated Barnes and Curtis at the Art Show those students, having the opportunity by the sculptures there. She tries to work to take art may be what helps them clay into the curriculum because it is a medium that stay in school. many students cannot work on at home.

The opportunity for students to express Another favorite medium of Barnes’ is themselves creatively has been made possible by photography.

Curtis and Barnes.

Students have been using iPads that they

10

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP MIDDLE SCHOOL WEST

Joseph Huffman It is always important to have

variety. With one basic pattern for your day, things may tend to get boring often.

Eighth grader Joseph Huffman understands the importance of variety, and that is why robotics team, track team, academic team, and travel soccer are only some of the activities that he has been a part of.

“Not a lot of people have this kind of variety,” says Huffman, “it’s pretty unique.”

This is only Huffman’s second year on the robotics team, and last year the team made it to the Worlds competition. Huffman has plans to continue with robotics onto the high school team, which is famous for its repeated high placement in competition.

“I just find it fun to show off,” Huffman jokes, explaining why he has such a mix of extracurricular activities. Huffman later detailed that these kinds of activities stay on your record for a very long time, so it is nice to have so much for colleges and employment providers to see.

Huffman is the youngest of six children in his family, so there has been a bountiful amount of pressure to live up to the expectations set by his brothers and sisters’ performances before him.

Huffman has stayed positive though, and even hopes to become the future Captain Flash.

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Nancy Moore

“Education is the heart and soul of the United States,” says Nancy Moore, an eighth grade science teacher at Middle School West.

Moore has been a teacher since 1980, and began teaching at Franklin Central in 1985. This hasn’t been the only thing she has done for the school though. She is also the coach for the eighth grade volleyball team and runs the volleyball club, coaches the eighth grade academic team, and currently runs the D.C. trip program.

The D.C. program allows for eighth graders to take an extended field trip to Washington D.C. to explore the history of the United States government. Moore was a chaperone for several years before being placed in the head position.

“Educating a student goes beyond the classroom,” explains Moore.

Moore claims to be self-motivated, and doesn’t necessarily rely on outside sources to get her going. “We all have the ability to get moving on our own,” she says.

Cadence Neal “Even if you fall once, make sure you climb twice.” This is the quote that hangs in the bedroom of eighth grader Cadence Neal. She originally heard this from her grandmother, and it has since become her life’s motto.

Neal’s favorite part about the surplus of extracurricular activities under her belt is that they have provided her with many opportunities to meet and socialize with new people.

Currently, Neal plays volleyball, is a member of Honor Choir, is in the REACH program, and is a part of her church’s youth group. Previously, Neal had dabbled in cheerleading, student council, and girl scouts for seven years.

“I just love meeting new people and making friends,” Neal says.

Neal enjoys being nice to everyone, and treating every individual with respect, for her younger brother has a prosthetic eye due to a cancer he contracted when he was young. While he is currently in good health, he was bullied in the past.

As a witness to such cruelty, Neal tries her hardest to interact with people and make new friends, all while promoting happiness to all.

Lisa Freeman Our personal environment is constantly surrounding us. It consists of all people, plants, animals, and objects.

Few have quite the same amount of respect for the environment as Lisa Freeman, a SIP teacher at Middle School West.

SIP stands for “Session Initiation Protocol,” and is a class that specializes in assisting those with disabilities by giving them interaction in real world situations.

“Allowing the kids to experience work with the community and develop social skills,” is what Freeman says is the true objective of the SIP classes. She has been teaching SIP at FTMS West for four years now.

Freeman and her class as a community, has organized the planting of trees in the areas around the school. Not only that, but Freeman has also worked with FC alumni Jeb King on the creation of several gardens for the school.

Freeman also works with the students in cooking, and provides monthly lunches for the school’s faculty. Because the SIP program is entirely self-funded, the money earned from the lunches is used to help fund field trips and other fun projects for the students.

“We have a very supporting staff,” says Freeman, “it wouldn’t be the same without them.”

Freeman demonstrates extreme value for the community, and wishes to only move forward in creating a healthier environment.

T h e M u s i c Wi t h i n D a n i e l F y ff e

Music is something we have all heard, and something we all enjoy. However, no one has had truly the same experience with music as Franklin Township Middle School West’s band director, Daniel Fyffe.

Fyffe found his love for music at an early age, and began participating in the school’s music program as soon as he could in the sixth grade.

“I just liked the way drums looked. I enjoy the whole percussion idiom.” Fyffe says.

Once he reached high school, Fyffe had a busy schedule.

When he wasn’t a paperboy delivering papers to doorsteps during the week, he was a musician on the weekends, practicing and playing for hours to improve. Fyffe states that he was very lucky to have been gifted with such a great high school band program as a student. He even still communicates with some of those he was involved with in the program.

Fyffe’s hard work and dedication has paid off greatly, for he now has a tremendous list of accomplishments that is only growing.

He began teaching 20 years ago, and it wasn’t long until Fyffe was approached by FTMS West asking if he would work as an assistant band director. He jumped on the occasion and began working as quickly as he could.

After 10 years as assistant director, Fyffe was rewarded with the position of head director, where he has now worked for five years. Fyffe acts as director for all three grades at West, and runs the school’s Jazz Band Club.

Throughout his involvement in West’s school band, Fyffe

Photo courtesy of Daniel Fyffe

has assisted in getting the band to win the World’s competition six times.

“My favorite part is probably seeing what exactly the students can achieve,” says Fyffe, “I find it is a way to pay it forward.” Fyffe went on to discuss how much he enjoys seeing the students practice to reach their full potential, and that that is the reward for him directing them.

He is also both a section leader and a board member for the Indianapolis Municipal Band. Fyffe has worked as a judge for band competitions, and as a general advisor for band concerts.

Fyffe also has an extensive involvement in specifically percussion. Not only did he create West’s indoor percussion drumline, but Fyffe is also one of the founders of the Indiana Percussion Association (IPA), an organization that emphasizes its assistance of youth percussion enthusiasts and its act as a guide to further achievement.

A new series of drum mallets invented to be used for educational purposes was created by Fyffe. The mallets are published by one of the largest Americanbased drum stick production companies, Pro-Mark.

Fyffe has also managed to publish his own educational book on percussion, Indoor Percussion Ensembles and Drum Corps.

All of Fyffe’s involvement with the industry of music and percussion has allowed for him to not only be inducted in the IPA Hall of Fame, but also the Winter Guard International Hall of Fame.

“It is very unique seeing the development of the students, and watching them become great musicians,” says Fyffe, “It’s a wonderful feeling.”

12

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY

Marikay Raters

Laura Vanarendonk Baugh

Marikay Raters believes that community brings a sense of family. Since a majority of her family came from here, it makes sense how she devotes her time to the Township through the Franklin Township Education Foundation, a nonprofit group that focuses on giving money towards innovative classroom ideas that aren’t funded by the school.

“There’s such a need for projects that are not being funded that we can serve as an avenue to make sure those projects will be funded,” Raters says.

FTEF started with a grant from Eli Lilly and the Central Indiana Community Foundation from whom they received an endowment. To raise their funds, FTEF hosts fundraising events or pulls from the endowment. One of the fundraising events is the Fast Flash, a golf tournament.

Through this, FTEF gets sponsors and raises money from individuals participated in these events.

Teachers can also pitch in with payroll donations. The foundation also receives money from an education license plate. All of their events bring the community together and help out a good cause.

Unfortunately, Raters, as an executive director, is so busy with putting these events together that she hasn’t had the chance to attend them herself just yet.

Her job is to make sure everything’s running smoothly and to promote the Franklin Township Education Foundation. Raters is excited to work with the new board members that have been brought in, and hoping to fund more projects and programs after going for larger grants.

Laura VanArendonk Baugh is a good example of Franklin Township’s versatile community.

Baugh loves her job and does it well.

Baugh is an author of fiction books such as Con Job, and KitsuneTsuki. Baugh believes an important aspect to writing is raising the bar for oneself and pushing to get the first million words out. After that getting the sort of feedback that a piece has changed someone’s life is an accomplishment, but there are those accomplishments we may not even know the impact or difference one makes. Baugh makes a good point about how creatives don’t seem to draw from one point for inspiration.

“You draw from what you’re exposed to,” she says.

As for a dog training, Baugh has always enjoyed working with animals. Baugh personally loves clicker training, because it’s fun for both trainer and pet. Baugh owns Canines In Action, a dog training business, in the township.

Baugh has also volunteered within the community, helping with fundraising for multiple groups.

Her philosophy on work and life is that one shouldn’t limit themselves and wants people to go out and do what they want.

Kasie Foster Kasie Foster is the editor for Franklin Township’s newspaper, the Informer. It started over a decade ago when she applied to work at the Informer. Before that she was a board member of the Civic league. Now she practically runs the paper.

Foster she designs ads with the help of the volunteers to put together the Informer. Foster finds herself in the position to provide information, whether it’s good or bad, every

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Marikay Raters, kasie Foster, Laura vanArendonk Baugh

day. She upholds the importance of factual print, and loves to receive advice from readers.

Foster speaks to many people in the township, whether it’s to gather the information or someone calling in to make a suggestion. The work requires a lot of research to stay on top of the truth. The Informer has a small staff, so Foster has a lot to do.

“A great deal of our community is the backbone of Franklin Township,” says Foster.

The Informer relies on information sent in and with the help of sources, volunteers, and people in the community the paper comes together. Thanks to Foster’s devotion and all her hard work, the Informer gives the community an in-depth look into the township.

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Kelly Foulk

A name that comes to mind when thinking of a dedicated parent and someone extremely involved in the community is Kelly Foulk. She’s volunteered since she was a private school student, doing service work, Habitat for Humanity, and mission trips. Foulk also got to work for Pikes mayor where she was able to help in a different way, such as making sidewalk repairs and trash pickups happen.

“A community is what you make it,” says Foulk.

Foulk got involved in her community to make it the place she calls home.

Foulk is a past Civic League president and Lions Club member. Foulk also was awarded Martha Bramlett Community Achievement Award by the Civic League, which is only for those who have done great work for the community.

The Lions Club is a small group that looks for service projects and financial aid to help the community. Foulk started as a member and worked her way to the top. As a part of the club, she helps manage their street fair, the clubs biggest fundraising event, the club’s golf outing, and demolition derby. The Lions Club also works within the schools, such as giving dictionaries to third graders or even passing American flags to first graders. They also created a fully handicap accessible camp in Greensburg, which is a part of the district Lions Club, not just the Franklin Township club. Foulk keeps branching out doing even more, now on the school board.

“Schools are very important to the community; the community is invested in the schools. It goes both ways,” she says. Foulk wants to form a better connection between school and community.

Foulk does all this work to help her community and also balances work and family.

Photos coutesy of Kelly Foulk and Jim Talhelm

Jim Talhelm Jim Talhelm is a Franklin Township resident with expertise in real estate. Talhelm owns Hoosier Realtors, a realty company in the community.

Talhelm started his company almost ten years ago after repairing and selling old homes for a while. His experience has taught him that one hasn’t taken any risk when owning a business if it doesn’t come to a low point before turning around.

As a hardworking business owner, it may seem like it would cut into his time as a parent of ten and his time with friends, but Talhelm finds a way that he can balance work and life. Many of his friends are even past clients. Real estate is the kind of business that takes a while to get established, to the point where people feel confident in letting realtors represent them in making the largest purchase of their lives, which is why Talhelm is proud of his work. It’s a competitive environment, one that those realtors are rewarded for.

“You win when you sell, and when you meet or surpass the needs of the client,” Talhelm says.

When it comes down to it Talhelm sees work as a lifelong process, he doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.

14

FRANKLIN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Paul Osterman

Paul Osterman became a teacher because he’s a lousy artist, a fact he claims his students can attest to. Osterman has been teaching biology and anatomy at Franklin Central for all 13 years of his teaching career.

He loves nature photography and landscape painting.

“I realized pretty early on in my education that I could not do this professionally as an artist, but teaching allows me to help students see the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, of biology.”

Osterman loves his job and getting to work with students, stating, “Every year I am privileged to work with thoughtful, engaged, and interesting people who are finding out about how biology works at a time in their lives when they’re also learning about who they are as individuals, as students, and as citizens.

I very much appreciate the energy, enthusiasm, and hopefulness for the future that is a feature of working with students who are preparing themselves for the next phase of their lives.”

David Gowan

David Gowan is a junior at Franklin Central who has lived in Franklin Township his entire life.

Gowan participates in both FC’s television and radio programs.

“I’m interested in broadcasting and up until this point there hasn’t been much opportunity to pursue those interests,” says Gowan.

Broadcasting is more than just a passion for Gowan though, it’s a possible career.

“I’d jump at the chance to get involved with the production of a TV show or movie.”

Gowan has struggled with a combined type of ADHD and ADD throughout his education and has more difficulty focusing on tasks than others. Gowan hasn’t let this hold him down though, and strives to do the best he can academically. He loves math and science and takes challenging courses like advanced placement Physics. Gowan even won the regional science fair when he was in fourth grade.

Gowan is credited by friends to have a wonderful sense of humor. He believes that he is unique though because of his fear.

“If I had no fear I would make incredibly poor choices,” says Gowan. He turns his fear into strength.

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Photos courtesy of interviewees and Yearbook

Halle Catlow Halle Catlow, a junior at Franklin Central, thrives in the choir and theatre programs at school.

“Choir and theatre are really outlets for me and it’s definitely a second home. FC Singers has become a family to me. It’s also gives me a place to do what I love, singing. I have been singing for most of my life. I have adored being involved in the school musicals.”

Many FC theatre productions can boast Catlow’s name. “I was Pilar (one of the three featured sorority girls) in Legally Blonde, Roxie Hart in Chicago, and a part of the featured flight attendants/nurses in Catch Me If You Can.” Catlow says that one of her biggest achievements in her high school career was playing Roxie Hart in Chicago, stating, “I worked so hard for that role so actually getting it was a dream come true!”

Catlow also plays acoustic guitar, has traveled to Austria and Germany, and works at Indian Creek Christian Church as a worship leader. She used to volunteer in the nursery at the church as well.

Vincent Lopes

When you think of a key figure in Franklin Central’s theatre Department, student senior Vincent Lopes may come to mind. Lopes helps run events in the auditorium such as Flashes Around the World, Lip Sync Battle, and Coffee House (yaaassss).

“Being able to partake in school events that people love is so rewarding because I can feel like I accomplished something incredible that everyone can appreciate,” says Lopes.

Lopes is also a member of the Thespian Society, which is an honorary organization for middle and school theatre students. He was inducted in his sophomore year for the clear effort and passion that he puts into his craft.

“Being able to express myself is something I take very seriously. One of the most important things I place in my life is always leaving room to be creative!”

Lopes’ purpose for participating in theatre isn’t just because he loves it. He hopes to inspire himself and others with his talent. “The way I see it, if I show that I have the strength to be who I am, maybe others who have the same fears will do the same!”

Lydia Laker

Freshman Lydia Laker walked into the high school with huge shoes to fill: her father is a middle school teacher, her mother is the 2015-16 Franklin Township Teacher of the Year, and her sister Addison is highly involved in the school.

Yet, Laker wasted no time getting involved. Within the first few weeks of school, Laker found herself in student council, Friendly Flashes, Key Club, Model UN, and the volleyball team. On top of that, she was elected class president.

‘Not only do I think it’s exciting to meet new people, but I believe it prepares you for the future,” says Laker.

As far as giving back to the community outside of school, Laker volunteers at St. Francis Hospital and is planning on hosting a Christmas Carol for Friendly Flashes.

Laker says she loves to give back to the community.

“I believe it betters yourself as a person and allows you to make new relationships with people,” says Laker.

She says her biggest achievements up to this point of her life were being elected class president and being awarded student of the year.

Christina Veal

Sophomore Christina Veal’s friends describe her as “peppy, cheery, and upbeat” and teachers say she often has a smile on her face.

Veal, adopted from Haiti when she was a child, has had a desire to give back to the school and the community.

Veal is in student council for the first time this year and wants to help with unified track and field for the second consecutive year in a row. The unified track and field team pairs students of all abilities together for friendly competition.

Veal feels that being a member of student council will allow her to become a leader for the school.

On Sundays, Veal helps a little boy named Colton who is physically disabled. On Wednesday nights, she volunteers at St. Francis hospital. She is considering nursing and special education as possible careers.

Veal says that her struggles in life have made her strong and resilient.

“I had brain surgery when I was three, to repair a birth defect, and another brain surgery to remove a cist when I was five,” says Veal.

And yet, Veal keeps a positive outlook in life.

“Well in anything I do, I believe the purpose is to serve God,” says Veal.

Bilal Mozaffar

National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist, senior Bilal Mozaffar has had a very successful and fulfilling experience during his time here at Franklin Central.

He has dedicated his consistent giving spirit to the passing of Maddy Justice, a former student of FC who passed away in 2013 after a hard battle with Luekemia.

“Giving back to others personally I believe is very rewarding and makes you a better person,” says Mozaffar.

Mozaffar is someone you would describe as a willing multi tasker. He’s involved with Key Club, World Cultures Club, Student Ambassadors, and has played tennis all four years of high school.

Bilal contributes outside of school as well; he is the lieutenant governor of the Circle City Division, works part time as a tutor, and every Sunday he volunteers at St. Francis to help out patients in need.

“I believe that getting an education is empowering, this is why love tutoring other kids when I can,” says Mozaffar.

Abby Hershberger

Positive freshman Abby Hershberger expresses her passion in creating a better world around her by lifting up others and constantly finding opportunities that affect her

community.

“You really have to want something or believe in something in order to succeed at it,” says Hershberger.

Even though Hershberger has only been at FC for a few months, she’s wasted no time getting involved.

Hershberger is a part of student council, Riley Dance Marathon, World Cultures Club, Creative Writing Club, Key Club, swim team, and choir.

Hershberger is the type of person that genuinely loves to give back and couldn’t care less about receiving any compensation.

Hershberger also belives in being yourself: “I try to tell people that if you try to be someone else, then there is two of a person and if that trend continues then there will be no uniqueness left.”

Photos courtesy of interviewees and Yearbook

16

FRANKLIN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Caleb Johnson

Sophomore, Caleb Johnson is an interesting individual who is a good student in the classroom and has overcome cancer.

Johnson is in Jazz Band, thanks to former student Hannah O’friel, who influenced him to join. Johnson says he feels that being a part of Jazz Band gives him something to be connected to within the school.

However, Johnson says his biggest achievement up to this point of his life was overcoming melanoma, which is a malignant tumor of melanin-forming cells, a type of skin cancer.

“I was pretty calm because I’m not a person who panics and because it was a minor cancer, I had faith the doctors knew what they were doing”, says Johnson.

Not many people in Johnson’s situation with cancer would have responded as calmly as he did, but that’s the type of person Johnson is, a very calm and confident individual with lots of potential to contribute to the community in the years to come.

Saki Tanaka, a fluent Japanese speaker, globe trekker, and free time baker is the newest orchestra teacher at Franklin Central. She has only taught at the high school for a year but taught three years of elementary school while attending Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

Tanaka wasn’t always sure that a career of teaching music was for her, but the more she taught the more she grew to love teaching.

“Tanaka gives us challenging peices that are fun to work with,” says Tucker Knoop, a sophmore Concert Orchestra student.

Tanaka loves seeing students be proud of the successes they earned in their music and knowing that she helped them get there.

“Students are honest about their success, and they know when they worked hard and succeeded. It’s always great to see students being proud for their success. Every time I see students’ success is when I’m reminded that what I do is worth all the work and time. It’s nice to be reminded of what I do and how it affects students.”

Tanaka notes that teaching sometimes has its oddities though, such as when students will ask for help in other classes, like geometry or advanced placement English.

Saagar Barmeda

Photography has become very popular among the students of Franklin Central. Saagar Barmeda, junior, has joined in on the action.

“I really got into taking photos after Christmas last year, I don’t really know what but something sparked my interest and it’s Saagar Barmeda continued ever since.”

Barmeda started using his mother’s camera to take pictures of sunsets and place around downtown Indianapolis. Since then, he has found himself in some pretty awesome situations.

This past May, Barmeda attended the Indy 500 Festival. He applied online asking for press credentials and was surprised to learn his request was granted.

“When I got there, I was told that they lost my credentials. The head of volunteer services for the event found me and handed me an all-access pass which ended up carrying a lot more weight than the media credential,” Barmeda says.

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Saki Tanaka

Photos courtesy of interviewees and Yearbook

In June, Barmeda attended the 99.5 WZPL Birthday Bash concert. He was given three press credentials and tickets for his mom, best friend, and himself.

“We somehow ended up front row in the concert and it was one of the best nights of my life.”

As well as photographing big events, Barmeda has also been able to capture the many happenings of track and cross country meets.

Some of Barmeda’s best running photos were taken at the Flashes Showcase.

“I was able to work with a running website called DyeStat.com and my photo ended up being published on their website which was absolutely amazing,” Barmeda says.

Barmeda is always on the lookout for photography inspiration.

“I see a lot of insanely creative work and this inspires me to go out and shoot. I see all these photographers enjoying their lives posting amazing photos and I want to be just like them.”

If you’re interested in checking out Barmeda’s work, head over to his Instagram (@SaagarBarmeda) or shoot him an email (Saagar1999@yahoo.com) to schedule a session.

Kayla O’Malley is a senior at Franklin Central, a globe trekker and an exemplary student. As a member of several clubs and organizations, she plays a key role in her school and community. O’Malley is a member of Chamber Choir and president of FC Singers, National Honors Society, Student Council, and is also the leader of the Riley Families Committee of FC’s Dance Marathon.

O’Malley works year round year-round to fund raise for Riley Children’s Hospital through FC’s Dance Marathon. She also volunteers at various events through Student Council and National Honors Society.

One would think that being so involved in school would leave little room for anything else, but O’Malley explored one of her other passions this past summer by spending her summer abroad in Spain. O’Malley loves to travel and has been to six countries: the United States, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, and Holland. That number will soon raise to seven as O’Malley visits the Bahamas over this coming winter break.

O’Malley traveled to a small city in Spain with the Indiana University Honors Program for Foreign Languages. She stayed with a host family for six weeks and was only allowed to speak Spanish for the duration of her trip. Naturally, the first few days of her trip were difficult. She had to figure out how to communicate herself properly in Spanish and adjust to a new environment and culture, but O’Malley’s work soon paid off.

“By the third week, I was thinking and even dreaming in Spanish.”

O’Malley had to care for herself while in Spain, managing her own time and transportation while in the foreign nation. She had some trouble navigating on her own for a while but eventually got the hang of exploring her new surroundings.

“Experiences like this helped improve my independence. I now feel comfortable navigating unfamiliar cities and handling my schedule.”

O’Malley favorite parts of her trip include visiting Portugal, walking part of the Camino de Santiago,

mountain climbing, seeing ancient castles and cathedrals, and watching a bull fight.

“My time in Spain was the best I’ve had thus far, and I will always remember it fondly.”

Travelling allowed O’Malley to learn about Spanish culture and language in a way that would be otherwise unavailable to her. She genuinely loves the language and takes additional Spanish classes twice a week at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

O’Malley says, “This class is very important to me because I want to keep learning and improving my Spanish speaking abilities. I plan on majoring in the language in college.”

O’Malley had to work hard to travel to Spain. She believes her travels and experiences have helped her grow as a person and hopes that her journey can help guide others.

“I am a huge advocate for travelling outside of the US because it increases your global awareness, and that is something that many US citizens lack. I also feel as though my actions can be seen as inspiring to those who have big dreams and aren’t sure how to accomplish them. Most people don’t realize that, if you really work for it [your goals], anything is possible, and I hope my story helps people see that.”

One thing that O’Malley has close to her heart is her memory of Maddy Justice. Justice passed away in O’Malley’s freshman year after battling Leukemia for two years. O’Malley and Justice were very close friends and losing her was difficult for O’Malley.

“My experience with her changed the way I see the world and inspired me to always be improving. Whenever I am feeling down or angry, I think of her legacy and my mood is instantly lifted. I owe many of my accomplishments to Maddy, because she inspires me to take risks to become the best version of myself and to always ‘Keep on Shining’.”

O’Malley also thanks Val Thoreson and her professors in Spain. Because of all her hard work in Spain, she was nominated for Indiana Outstanding High School Student in Spanish Award. “I worked very hard during the trip and was ecstatic when I was told I would be a recipient.”

Photos courtesy of Kayla O’Malley

FRANKLIN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 19

Kayla O’Malley student, explorer, volunteer

O’Malley with her parents at Neuschwanstein Castle

Photos courtesy of Kayla O’Malley

The Face of Franklin Central Kevin Koers

Every person in this school knows Mr. Kevin Koers, or at least who he is. Some know him more than others. Many just know him as the tall guy they don’t want to mess with. Very few people know about Koers or who he truly is, so why leave it a mystery?

Koers knows himself better than anyone else does, so what better way to shed some light on his mysterious past than by just asking him about it.

Koers has been the head principal at Franklin Central for 17 years.

“That’s longer than most students have been alive,” says Koers.

However, he has been in the education business for about 37 years. Koers says that he doesn’t know exactly, but it’s around that time frame.

Koers says, “It was a blur; it seems like yesterday.”

With all this time, there has to be experience, and there is. Koers was inspired to be an educator because he had a natural knack for service.

“I was interested in serving and helping others.” Koers says it was a “natural thing” that eventually caught up to him.

But he didn’t start off in the education field however, and there is a lot of blank space left to fill. Before education, Koers decided that science would be his field of study.

Koers started college as a biology student, graduated, and then became a forensic specialist for the Indianapolis Police. He worked in their crime lab for quite some time, but eventually decided that a focus on helping people would be a good change for him.

Koers jokes that he was in forensics “before CSI was cool.”

After his career in forensics, Koers decided that he was going to change fields, and began pursuing education. When he began work at Franklin Central, it wasn’t as reformed as it is today.

“Franklin Central was lost as far as discipline [was concerned],”says Koers.

The subject departments were unorganized and so was the grading scale. Several departments even had separate rules.

Koers says that, overall, FC “wasn’t one school.”

After Koers started, things changed and he brought some valuable changes that transformed our school from being unorganized and dysfunctional to being

better organized and functional.

Another trend that Mr. Koers started is the Words of Wisdom. He began this in 2005 when FCTV was first set in motion. He wanted to remind students of the Golden Rule.

Koers says “every day to treat others the way you want to be treated.”

Koers says that he wants the words to “resonate with students” and make them better people.

Being able to interact with the students is one of Koers’s favorite parts of his job. He also loves attending band, choir, and orchestra performances.

He also enjoyed the “We The People” event which was attended by a handful of students held on November 9, 2016. He also is a frequent attender of athletic events.

It hasn’t all been fun and games though. Several years ago, Koers was at a football game and something embarrassing happened.

Koers says the game took place “…back before they had cordless mics.”

It was on such a cord that Koers tripped, sending him tumbling onto the concrete.

As he got up, he received a “standing ovation.” He then brushed it off but as soon as he started walking, he tripped again over the same cord! Koers says “I stood up and smiled and carried on.”

It was “the most embarrassing experience” he has had, but he didn’t let it get him down.

Koers hopes that this story resonates with students who are struggling and that eventually they will get back on their feet and smile and carry on.

Looking ahead to the future, Koers sees FC as a “leader in the state, if not in the country” in overall school performance and quality of education.

He believes that “[Franklin Central has] phenomenal students and teachers.”

Koers also believes that “as long we continue looking forward” FC will very successful and will produce the most sought after graduates for colleges and the world of work.

Koers’s advice for students is to “be confident in yourself regardless of the situation you are put in and that you will get through it.”

FTCSC Staff Photo

20

FRANKLIN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 21

From Riley Kid to Riley Dance Marathon Co-President Malia Mulligan

Mulligan says, “I took some time off and got treatment, Malia Mulligan is a senior at Franklin Central, where she stays very busy. Impressively, but when I came back to competitive cheer it was just too Mulligan is a part of over four clubs, while taking hard.”

Though she’s unable to compete, Mulligan says she Advanced Placement classes and participating in the still attends her gym so that she can practice her tumbling, cheerleading team.

“I never want to lose my ability to do it because Mulligan jokes, “Because of these clubs I’ve been either setting up, planning, volunteering at, or perfecting it was all I worked on the first 16 years of my tearing down every school dance or function you’ve life.”

Out of all of her volunteer work and extracurriculars, probably ever been to.”

Mulligan has dedicated herself to her school Mulligan says Riley Dance Marathon is the most important.

As a child, Mulligan received treatment at Riley, which and community; she is the social media director for WRFT, is a member of both Student Council is why she believes her work for Riley is so important.

Mulligan suffered from severe and National Honor acid reflux that stopped her from Society, recently eating when she was younger. finished her position as She says, “Riley was great the cheerleading captain and helped me and my family for FC, and is the countil I was able to eat regularly president of Riley Dance and live a healthy life again.”

Marathon.

In fact, her time at Riley In her position at had such an impact on her WRFT, Mulligan is that Mulligan says her biggest in charge of staff and achievement happened last class pictures as well year when she was awarded as managing all of the the position of co-president for numerous social media Riley Dance Marathon. accounts for the radio “Only two people every year station. This position Jordan Schneider get this position and I was up against some tough allows her to help keep Franklin Township informed on interesting and important topics and competition for it. I remember Mr. George called me into his office, extended his arm for a handshake, and said, events.

Through Student Council, Mulligan helps plan ‘Congratulations, you’re next year’s Riley Dance Marathon school events such as Homecoming, while National co-president,’ but I completely bypassed his handshake Honor Society allows her to do volunteer work, such and gave him a giant hug. It just means so much to me that as helping freshmen find their textbooks before I get to be a leader of this club that I’ve given everything to school starts and helping out at huge community since freshman year.”

Riley Dance Marathon is one of our largest school fundraisers like Bug Fest.

Mulligan just finished her last year of events and is run mostly by students. They spend all year cheerleading; she’s participated in cheer and working incredibly hard to fundraise money for Riley gymnastics throughout her childhood and high Children’s Hospital. Last year, the dance marathon raised school. This year, Mulligan was the captain of the $44,102; Mulligan hopes to top that number by raising Cheer Team for the fall season and even received $50,000 this year.

Mulligan understands the importance of her the Most Valuable Player award for her hard work.

However, due to a fracture in her lower back, she has fundraising for Riley and just how much those families had to stop cheerleading competitively.

need it. Last year, both of her parents were diagnosed with cancer within months of one another. Mulligan’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and her father with kidney cancer during her junior year.

Their diagnoses were tough on Mulligan and her family, “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with and it was even harder to find motivation to go to school, much less to stay involved in all the activities I was in.”

Thankfully, both of her parents are now in remission.

However, this struggle taught Mulligan some invaluable life lessons.

She says, “I knew if they [her parents] saw my moping around and feeling sorry for myself they would be disappointed. So I pulled myself up and dove deeper into my work and the things that I loved to distract me from everything else going on. I found that it worked, so I kept it up. I volunteered for more things, joined more clubs, and went out for leadership positions in the clubs I was already in. The time flew by faster than I expected and soon enough my parents were both back on their feet and I had an even greater interest in volunteer work because it’s what got me through the toughest time in my life.”

Now, halfway through her senior year, Mulligan is pushing herself harder than ever before, something that is very evident to those around her.

One of her friends, Maddison Stafford, says Mulligan always has a poistive attitude, despite her sometimes hectic life.

“Malia keeps a smile on her face no matter what’s going on in her life, and the fact she uses her struggles to help others and motivate herself is truly inspiring.”

Mulligan says, “Now, my motto is if my dreams don’t scare me, then they aren’t big enough. Being the leader of all of these clubs honestly scares me. It’s stressful and requires constant work and energy, but I like the feeling.”

Mulligan loves to go for everything, even those things that may scare or intimidate her.

As a closing note in her interview, Mulligan also offered this piece of advice, “To anyone who has a billion things going on and is struggling to find motivation, just take a deep breath and watch an episode of ‘Parks and Recreation’ on Netflix. The inspiration you’ll get from Leslie Knope is honestly unmatchable. That’s what I always do.”

Malia and her Mother

This year’s Riley Dance Marathon co-presidents, Malia Mulligan and Alexa Carr

Dates to keep in mind for this year’s Riley Dance Marathon:

•Jan. 20... FTMS West Mini Dance Marathon •March 6 to 10... FC’s Riley week •March 10... FC’s Riley Dance Marathon •FC’s Riley Convocation date is to be announced

Photos courtesy of Malia Mulligan

22

“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

THE PILOT FLASHES SENIOR ISSUE 2016-2017

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FRIDAY MAY 19, 2017

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