Brownsburg Magazine June 2023

JUNE 2023

MAGAZINE

MOVING FOR MENTAL ILLNESS

Hendricks County Woman Honors Father and Fundraises for Suicide Prevention Through Marathons WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HOME WARRANTIES

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GROWING VEGETABLES IN YOUR GARDEN

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name a few. Do not forget to plant peppers of all kinds and BASIL, BASIL and more BASIL! Success in the veggie garden comes from two main components — eight hours of sunshine and great organic soil. I grow my veggies in the front yard of our suburban home and use what is called a natural raised bed. This is where you dig the soil from left to right to make a long mounding row of dirt in which you plant your crops into. I have not built a wooden raised bed, but if you do choose to do so make sure you do not use treated wood. I feel this seeps into the soil. Your soil should be healthy and well nourished with compost and have great drainage. I love mushroom compost for my edibles.

The vegetables take up what is in the soil and we consume its contents.

This is why the other two most important things, for consumption purposes, to remember are never use soil with any enhancements like ‘moisture control’ or ‘fertilizer pellets’ and always choose organic soil to put in the garden. Also, keep grass fertilizer and herbicides away from the edge of any garden from which you will eat what you grow. Not good. Also, I like to remind folks really stretch before you get out there and work. I had a very serious back injury this spring and could not continue cutting in my new bed or mulching.

No room for a big farm garden? No worries.

All crops do very well in containers. As long as those patio pots get eight hours of sun you are good to go. Lettuce does great on the deck, so do cherry tomatoes and herbs. Try some container gardens this summer too and see which method you like best.

Writer / Carrie Petty Photography Provided

like spinach, cilantro, peas, beets and more are all considered ‘cold crops’ and love the coolness of early spring soil. Now we are really cooking with Crisco, because summer, warmseason crops are the bulk of what vegetable gardening is all about.

Momma knew what she was talking about when she told us to eat our veggies! Growing your own vegetables can be equally as beneficial. It is not nearly as hard as we make it, and it is so rewarding come harvest time.

Warm season growers are the primetime players in the vegetable garden. These will Spring rains have given way to flourishing be able to thrive in your garden until late foliage in the summer garden. The crops of September. So let’s get planting. Beans, early spring are now past their prime. Veggies tomatoes, melon, eggplant and corn, just to

6 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / JUNE 2023 / TownePost.com

Every growing season I pick one thing that I have never grown, this helps me ‘grow’ as a gardener. This year’s unknown in my garden is going to be Pumpkin!

Yes, I know, you would think when the children were younger we would have already tried this happy little gourd. But I must have been too busy working and mothering. I have always been so intimidated to grow them, so this summer I am facing my fears. Gardening should not be intimidating as a hobby. Start

small and grow each year.

Mulch your veggies and keep them well watered twice a week. Don’t water the foliage, this creates disease, so water around the base carefully so not to splash soil up onto the foliage. More disease. Keep weeding, this keeps moisture thieves away from the root systems of our veggies. Weeds are notorious criminals when it comes to stealing water.

And finally, for those pesky critters, you know I love a product called Shake Away. It is coyote pellets of urine (sorry, gross I know!) but it works so well if applied properly. Read all labels. You don’t want to guess on any type of applications.

Get going with your growing. And as always, I hope this has helped contribute to teaching you all, “How to Grow a More Beautiful Life!”

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MOVING FOR MENTAL ILLNESS HENDRICKS COUNTY WOMAN HONORS FATHER AND FUNDRAISES FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION THROUGH MARATHONS Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Four years ago, Vicki Hopkins had just gotten out of a yoga class when her phone rang. It was her father, Bob Riley. The pair chatted for an hour, which was rare but appreciated. That night he sounded positive and upbeat, talking about the plans he had for the following week.

A sense of relief washed over Hopkins to hear her dad’s happy voice, because he had spent the majority of his life struggling with depression. The sadness had only been exacerbated after his wife passed away, as they had been together for 33 years.

Following their call, Hopkins texted her dad saying she hoped he continued to feel

Indianapolis Marathon - Nov 2022

better, both mentally and physically. He responded, “I’m proud of you. Your mom would have been proud of you and the parent you’ve become. Never change. I love you.”

In hindsight, Hopkins can see that this was his goodbye to her. The next day her aunt called with tragic news that her father had attempted suicide, and was on life support because he was an organ and tissue donor. Hopkins and her husband, Brett, gathered their three children, Veralee, Vayzen and Acadia, and drove 1,000 miles to the hospital where she spent the next three days making excruciating decisions and saying her goodbyes. Then the horrific grieving process began.

JUNE 2023

Grief following a suicide is all about survival mode.

“It’s completely devastating,” Hopkins says. “You’re in this fog. Everything feels unreal.”

Shortly after her dad died, her aunt started a memorial fundraiser to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), a national organization that funds research, education, advocacy and support for those affected by suicide. The AFSP has chapters all over the country and hosts overnight walks, community walks and campus walks for those who wish to support mental health.

With Husband Brett & Kids

Although Hopkins previously lived in Boston, it wasn’t until she moved from Boston to Hendricks County that she decided to fundraise for the AFSP by running the Boston Marathon.

“I’m not fast at all, but I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to be a mental health advocate,” says Hopkins, who applied to be part of a charity run, and only got the green light to do so three months prior to the race. That meant she had a brief window of time to raise the mandatory $10,000 for the charity run.

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“If you don’t raise it, it charges to your card,” Hopkins says.

When she was fundraising for the Boston Marathon, she employed some rather creative means to raise money. For instance, she painted several watercolor portraits of houses and photographed weddings. In fact, she shot a wedding the day before she left for Boston.

Running the Boston Marathon was grueling but gratifying.

“It was so freaking hard,” she says. “I had blisters. My hands were swollen. I was in pain. I crossed the finish line and said, ‘I hated that. I have to do it again.’”

And she did - two more times. She ran the Chicago Marathon in October of 2022, and a month later completed the Monumental Marathon in Indianapolis.

Next up is the New York City Marathon, which will take place in November. In total, Hopkins has raised more than $15,000 for the AFSP, and she’s currently fundraising for her New York City race.

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LOSING SOMEONE TO SUICIDE IS NOT THE SAME AS LOSING A LOVED ONE TO AN ILLNESS, AN ACCIDENT, OR THROUGH NATURAL CAUSES. FOLLOWING A SUICIDE THERE IS SO MUCH ATTENTION AROUND THE ACTUAL LOSS, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SURVIVING THE LOSS DON’T GET THE ATTENTION AND SUPPORT THEY NEED.” - VICKI HOPKINS

With Dad & Mom at her wedding in 2009

Hopkins started running 12 years ago to help her rebound from postpartum depression. Although she enjoys the activity, she doesn’t do it regularly.

“I have knee pain and scar tissue from tearing a meniscus in taekwondo back in middle school,” she says. “The week before the Chicago Marathon I told my doctor, ‘I’m going to run either way, but will I severely injure myself by running this?’ He said not to make any sudden movements and stay on level ground.”

Part of the reason Hopkins runs marathons to promote mental health is because she finds that completing a marathon is more mental than physical. This is especially true when you’re slower.

“When you’re running for five or six hours straight, you need mental fortitude to get through that,” Hopkins says. “Plus, it’s a good time to think. Running is meditative.”

The difficult factor in any mental health issue is that it’s not visible the way physical ailments are, and we can’t possibly know just by looking at someone what they are thinking.

“Losing someone to suicide is not the same as losing a loved one to an illness, an accident, or through natural causes,” Hopkins says.

“Following a suicide there is so much attention around the JUNE 2023

Chicago Marathon - Oct 2022

actual loss, but the people who are surviving the loss don’t get the attention and support they need.”

Research shows that it takes suicide loss survivors an average of four years to reach out for assistance after suffering the loss.

In addition, loss survivors are more likely to die by suicide themselves.

At the time her dad died, Hopkins didn’t know anyone else who had dealt with suicide loss, but that’s no longer the case.

Hopkins found it therapeutic to connect with other suicide loss survivors through the AFSP. “It was so powerful to talk about things with them that you can’t with people who haven’t experienced this type of loss,” she says.

Hopkins is frustrated by the lack of mental health resources in this country.

“Therapy often isn’t affordable or even accessible,” she says. “Plus, there’s a severe lack of mental health professionals.

There’s nothing more disheartening than being in the midst of mental health crisis and being told that there’s a six-month wait list. That’s an eternity when you can’t think about what’s going to happen in the next hour.”

Mostly, Hopkins just wants people to feel less alone.

“Literally everyone has struggles,” she says. “Just not everyone is open about it.”

suicide survivors meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at Hendricks Regional Health in Danville. For more information, call Sharon Samsell at 812878-2034.

If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, text 988 for crisis support. Use this QR code if you’d like to donate to Hopkins’ New York City AFSP race.

SCAN HERE

This is precisely why Hopkins is passionate about raising money and awareness for the AFSP. She wants to make known all of the resources that do exist, so people can utilize them.

To connect with Hopkins, email vrhopkins25@gmail.com. If you’ve lost someone to suicide, a support group for

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When it’s chilly outside and the holidays are around the corner, many of us think of sitting around the fireplace, enjoying some hot cocoa and family time.

Have you ever thought about the fact that you are intentionally setting a fire in your home?

every year. It should be the same with our chimney.”

“It typically shocks people to see what a chimney fire actually looks like,” Wald says. “You can hear the cracking of the The National Training Academy is held at liners inside, the smoke and flames the CSIA once per month, which provides coming out, and it’s just a shocking experience. We literally put students trainees with a variety of classroom through hands-on training for everything time and hands-on work to achieve they will ever encounter.” certification.

Bill Wald, executive director of Plainfield’s Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) says there was a time when he thought a chimney sweep was Dick Van Dyke. However, once he learned about the science and training that go The Plainfield campus is home to a mock into properly caring for a chimney, he was three-level chimney, designed by veteran hooked. chimney sweeps and featuring more than 100 problems, allowing students to find “It’s important to have a certified chimney each concern. sweep come out, take a look at your chimney, clean it out, and inspect for any In addition, they have a chimney that blockage or damage,” Wald says. “We have they set on fire in each academy for our furnace and air conditioner checked educational purposes.

JUNE 2023

The industry is growing as people are looking for hands-on trades.

“They don’t want to sit behind a desk, and they’re looking for a way to be hands-on and help families,” Wald says. “We also see a lot of people who have been working in the industry for a while but want to be certified so they can help others. For

example, people from the administrative offices of the company want to be able to explain information to the customers.”

Many are former firemen and know all too well the dangers of house fires, and specifically how the fireplace can play a part.

Hands on training provided at their Plainfield center.

Not only do they offer chimney sweep certification, but the CSIA is also branching out to other industries that may benefit from knowledge surrounding the chimney.

They host classes on masonry, relining a chimney and replacing a factorybuilt chimney. Students in the industry can learn about gas fireplaces, venting regulations and troubleshooting. Most recently, the CSIA designed a realtor class for those looking for additional information on buying and selling homes with fireplaces.

The organization is dedicated to their consumer public awareness campaign.

Tucked away on Commercial Drive in the business district of Plainfield, the organization’s leaders have watched as warehouses, housing and other developments have built up around them, but haven’t been as vocal about their presence in past years.

In an effort to share with the public regarding what they do, they recently opened their doors to the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce for a tour of the 10,000-square-foot Technology Center.

“CSIA was kind to invite our members in for a networking and informational event earlier in the years,” says Brad DuBois, president and CEO of the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce. “Most folks in Plainfield don’t know they are there or what they do, but we at the chamber want to do our best to let citizens know of this great resource and look forward to more partnerships with CSIA.” Certified technicians take pride in educating the public during routine chimney-sweep visits and try to help when they see danger lurking.

JUNE 2023

“We want people to understand how important this is for the safety of your home and your family,” Wald says. “It’s not uncommon when a chimney sweep arrives at the house to find the gas key sitting in the keyhole for the gas fireplace.

All it takes is a child to turn the key or someone to bump into it to release gas in the house.”

That’s right. It doesn’t matter if you have a wood-burning or gas fireplace - the dangers are similar.

“Even if you have a gas fireplace, you’re still burning something in your home,” Wald says. “Many start gas fires and don’t use the correct material. The plugs that release the gas can become clogged.”

In order to reach as many people as possible, CSIA President Tommy Nelms, a former fireman, hosts a Fireside Talk on Facebook every other Thursday evening.

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He and special guests discuss topics including what size of wood should be used, where to store it and how to season it, what creosote is (the tar-like substance that builds up inside the chimney), and dangers to the home.

It may seem strange to think of fireplace safety as summer is around the corner, but Wald recommends getting your fireplace inspected and cleaned in the warmer months.

“Once winter is over, you can hire a chimney sweep much faster and get it

cleaned out for the next season,” Wald says. “If there are any issues, it gives you time to fix the problems. You can imagine how many calls they receive in the fall, right before the weather gets cold.”

but these are appliances in our home that need the same attention as others.”

The most important factor is keeping homes and families safe, and the CSIA is working to do their part.

In addition to the chimney safety industry, the CSIA also works in the dryer-vent industry - another dangerous and often disregarded area of the home.

“I had a friend who bought a new dryer and didn’t have their vent cleaned out,” Wald says. “They hooked it up and it caught on fire, causing $50,000 worth of damage. We often don’t think about it,

“Little things can happen and can create a lot of damage, and possibly hurt your family,” Wald says. “We want to ensure that everyone with a chimney is safe.”

For more information on the CSIA, visit csia.org, or follow them on Facebook for daily tips and the Fireside Talk.

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MAGAZINE

PURR-FECT PET TRAVEL TIPS get to your destination? My pup likes to share my food. Often when I swing through the drive-though I will get a kids Warm weather may decide to show up one meal for her. There are advantages to day. When that time comes, we may want this. She eats when I eat, so I don’t have to get out and travel. Some people just to make an extra stop to feed her. The toss a few clothes in a suitcase, put a hold downside is the outgassing that can occur. on their mail, lock the doors and head Sometimes it’s better to take the time for out. For those of us with pets, it’s a bit a proper lunch/stretch break. more complicated. Do we take our furry friends with us, or do we find someone to Toys and Blankets watch them?

Just like us, pets get bored when they are

room you have for supplies. I knew a guy who ordered a special carrier for his ferret so they could go on motorcycle rides together. The carrier had an extra compartment for supplies.

Let’s explore the first option. What do you need to take with you? For dogs and cats, leashes and collars/harnesses are essential. A crate or carrier is a must. Cats will also need a litter box. My cat loves to travel, but she also likes to leave a very fragrant present for me not long after we get on the road. Once that deed is done, she is content to snuggle on a soft blanket and watch the world go by.

Lodging Where will you be staying - a tent, travel trailer, friend or relative’s house, or hotel?

Whatever your accommodations, confirm and reconfirm that your non-human travel companions are welcome and allowed at your final destination, and overnight stops along the way.

Writer / Tara Dorsett Photography Provided

Meals and Snacks Are you bringing a bag of your pet’s food?

Will you buy along the way or when you

cooped up for long periods of time. Have a few toys and chews to keep them from going crazy. Their favorite blanket helps them feel safe and reminds of them home.

Travel Time The distance you travel will determine what you need to bring. A two-hour trip won’t require much. A seven-day trip will require a few more supplies.

Transportation How are you traveling? By car, motorcycle, plane or ship? Your mode of transportation will determine what JUNE 2023

Does your pet like to travel? Not all birds - or dogs or cats, for that matter - are like Tweety bird, who will happily sing in his cage no matter where he is. If your pet doesn’t like the road, sea or air, it might be best to leave them at home.

Now that we have gathered all our supplies and have our housing arranged, what are we going to do with our pets once we arrive? Will they be content to wait at the temporary house while you go

out for the day? Keep in mind that not all hotels want pets staying unattended all day. Will they join you on your daily adventures?

Make sure you add a few critter items to your backpack - food, water, bowl, treats before you start your exploring each day.

If you decide not to take your pet - your goldfish might be happier staying at home - where will they spend their time?

You can have a friend, neighbor or professional pet sitter swing by the house every day to check on your critters. This is a great option for pets who are most comfortable in their own home.

The second option is to board your non-human pals. Many vet clinics offer boarding for current clients. You can find a variety of boarding kennels around town. Some only take dogs, while others accept other animals. If you decide to board your furry, feathered or finned

family members, visit the facility before you drop them off. Ask questions about daily routines and the knowledge of the staff. If you aren’t allowed to tour the boarding area, you might want to consider another place.

Some kennels are simple and practical in providing your pet’s necessities. Others offer extra services like daily play groups or walks. Curbside Clips in Roachdale offers home-awayfrom-home boarding.

Visiting pets have their own apartment attached to the main house. The apartment includes a living room with a couch and TV, a dog-sized door that opens to a fenced yard, and a bedroom with soft blankets.

If your pet isn’t quite ready for a summer adventure, reach out to a professional trainer to help with socialization and manners. T&D Forever Home Training offers some expert advice for humans and pets.

Whatever you decide to do this summer, remember that time spent with your pet will create the best memories.

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SAFETY REMINDERS FOR GRANDPARENTS THIS SUMMER

Writer / Renee Oswalt, Childbirth Educator at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided

With the summer finally here and kids out of school, grandkids have more time to spend with their grandparents. Though many activities are fun, there can also be potential dangers. With that being said, it is important to know what to look out for while watching your grandchildren this summer.

CAR SEATS

According to the Indiana State Police, in Indiana all children under the age of 8 must be properly restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat, according to the child restraint system manufacturer’s instructions. All car seats are different, so it is best to read the instruction manual and go to a local inspection station.

MEDICATIONS

Make sure you know your grandchild’s medical history, so you know if they need to take any medications and in case the child experiences a medical emergency

while in your care. If so, know how much and how frequently to provide the dose.

Children aged 12 and under should not be given aspirin since it is connected to Reye syndrome, an illness that causes nausea, vomiting and behavioral changes, and also often requires treatment in a hospital. Medications should always be out of reach and out of sight of children, or stored in child-resistant containers. It is important to keep your purse or backpack away from grandchildren as well, because medications may be kept there.

HELMETS

Whenever your grandkid is on a bike, skateboard, rip stick or other toy, make sure they are wearing a helmet to prevent serious injury. It is recommended that children use helmets while riding bicycles to reduce the likelihood of head trauma, including traumatic brain injury and related consequences. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is important for kids to wear helmets until they are at least 16 years old.

JUNE 2023

WATER

Children are curious and drawn to water. Keep small children safe from any open water. Even a cooler with melted ice can be a hazard to a toddler.

AVOIDING SMALL OBJECTS

A good rule of thumb is that if it can go through a toilet paper roll, it is a choking hazard. Small button-shaped batteries, like those used for hearing aids, can cause severe damage if swallowed, inhaled or put up a child’s nose. These items can cause life-threatening chemical burns as well.

BACKYARDS AND GARAGES

Inspect your backyard for anything hazardous or poisonous. Keep the grandchildren out of the yard when you are mowing the lawn. Never let children ride on a lawnmower with you. Garages can have garden chemicals, auto products, pesticides and tools. Make sure to keep them in a locked cabinet and out of reach.

Writer / Claire-Anne Aikman Photography Provided

One of the questions I am frequently asked is: What can you tell me about home warranties?

A home warranty is like health insurance for your home’s working systems. It provides discounted repair costs and, depending on the coverage, replacement costs on the mechanical items in your home (furnace, air conditioning, water softener, etcetera). Some providers also cover appliances and even swimming pools.

Obtaining one is simple. Call a provider, discuss coverage needs and agree to a plan. The payment amount depends on the provider and the coverage, and it can be paid in one lump sum or monthly. When you have a repair need for an item covered in your plan, call your provider and they will arrange for a contractor to assess your situation. You pay a service fee for the call and, if a repair or replacement is needed, the warranty provider covers that according to the terms of the plan. It is indeed that simple.

Here is a tidbit that may surprise you: You can get a home warranty if you recently purchased your home or if you have lived in it for years. “The likelihood of failure of major home systems and/or appliances in a given year is 68%,” says Heather MacLaughlin with Choice Home Warranty. To me, those odds make sense to justify getting a little peace of mind. “It is important to know that warranties don’t cover known preexisting conditions, misuse or abuse of the covered systems or appliances,” MacLaughlin adds. So basically, keep up on maintenance.

For me personally, I have had coverage with various companies throughout my years of homeownership. They are not all the same, and I looked for the best option for me based on the coverage I wanted. Through the years my coverage has more than paid for itself and, given the rising costs of everything, this might be an avenue for you to explore that could save you a lot of money down the road.

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Lacing ‘em Up HOCKEY IS LIFE FOR BHS STUDENT EVAN MAXWELL Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographer / Dorian McDaniel

When Evan Maxwell’s preschool soccer coach suggested he should be a hockey goalie, the idea was new to his family.

After all, ice rinks aren’t readily available in Hendricks County and the sport might be considered unique to some.

The Brownsburg resident took a year of ice-skating lessons, and by the age of 5 he was playing hockey games in Greenwood.

“I love the difficulty of the sport,” Maxwell says. “There’s always something you can

improve on and I’ve always found that really fulfilling.”

Now a junior at Brownsburg High School, Maxwell competes with South Stars, a team that unites hockey athletes from Brownsburg, Avon, Center Grove, Perry County and surrounding areas.

They compete all over the state and have recently seen some massive growth and success.

“We’re a club hockey team and in my freshman year I was double rostered, playing on JV and varsity,” Maxwell says.

“As a sophomore I was full-time varsity and the same with my junior year. We’re changing the culture at South Stars. When I started, the varsity team only had five “The skating portion itself requires keeping wins. The next year we were half wins and half losses, and this year we won the your balance and learning how to use championship.” the blades,” Maxwell says. “You’re going forward, backward and transitioning.

Then you have stick handling, maintaining The last time the South Stars took home control of the puck and shooting. There are the state championship was in the late 1990s - a testament to all the hard work the multiple types of shots you can make and athletes have put forth. each of those areas can always improve.”

Many of us are happy to simply remain upright on ice skates, but hockey requires a bit more skill.

TOWNEPOST.COM / JUNE 2023 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / 27

“We put in a lot of work off-season to keep everyone in top shape, and we needed to build our camaraderie and communication,” Maxwell says. “As the year went on, it was evident that we were a team that could go far this year and win the season.”

How do you become a winning hockey team?

For starters, the ‘season’ is a year-round commitment.

After a win in March, Maxwell went directly into tryouts for the spring league. Off-ice training begins this summer, and many including Maxwell will attend hockey camps to work on skills and practice in the warmer months.

“Once the summer is over, we’ll have our first fall game in late August and that goes through the end of March,” Maxwell says.

“We might have a couple weeks off in June, but really it’s a year-round sport.”

Despite a sometimes-grueling schedule, Maxwell wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I think for myself and most hockey players, we’d say it’s for the love of the game,” he says. “Your best friends are the guys you play hockey with, and you want to be at your best for that guy playing next to you.”

His mom, Kimberly, says the Brownsburg Community School Corporation athletic department has always encouraged student participation in sports, even if they don’t offer a team on the school grounds.

“Evan wears a letterman jacket with a hockey letter on it, and kids often ask him about it because they didn’t realize there was a hockey team,” she says.

There isn’t a Brownsburg team per se, but anyone from Hendricks County is invited to tryout for the South Stars team.

In fact, the sport has allowed Maxwell to have a well-rounded group of friends and interests.

28 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / JUNE 2023 / TownePost.com

“It’s like having a whole different friend group,” he says. “I have one group of friends in school and another at hockey.

It allows me to build a lot of relationships and meet lots of different people.”

Travel is significant in the sport, particularly for the young men in Brownsburg and Avon who participate in the program.

“We travel all over central Indiana - Fishers, Westfield, Carmel and Perry,” Maxwell says.

“We also go to Evansville, Fort Wayne, South Bend and Columbus for games,” Kimberly adds. “We’re very limited in ice rinks locally, but there’s so much more to it than hockey.

The ice rink offers hockey, ice skating, public skating and sled hockey for people with a disability. It pulls people together and we often see kids at these rinks hanging out at the public skating.”

The sport might come with some reservations from parents. Hockey has long been thought of as a dangerous game.

“Evan is a very smart player,” Kimberly says.

“We’ve heard that from every coach he’s had.

He plays the game in its purest form, and over his whole career he’s only had two injuries. ter He got aW mild when he bwas er11bor ebsconcussion ster ter We st W e u ueestate ue Webs ique q iq i n n 12 yearsTold, and just recently played the h c q n i Te h c ech ed n e d T h ie Cert”ifTec tified tournament tifia fractured clavicle.

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TOWNEPOST.COM / JUNE 2023 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / 29

Team with State Championship trophy

“He’s a super-smart, well-rounded kid and hockey is just part of what makes him him. We knew nothing about hockey at the time it was suggested and he loves it. It’s different and he’s been really driven over the years.”

Upon graduation, he hopes to continue playing in college and beyond.

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“You can go into the NCAA - that’s higher-level college hockey - or there’s ACHA and Juniors,” he says. “I’m looking into the Air Force Academy and their hockey programs.”

With his interest in engineering and serving as a pilot in the Air Force, he thinks it’ll be a good fit. However, hockey will be involved in one way or another.

“I like that they don’t make you choose a major until your junior year, so it gives me time to look into a few directions,” Maxwell says. “As for hockey, I don’t think I’ll ever let the game go. Whether I’m playing competitively or just for fun, I’ll be playing either way.”

The South Stars High School Hockey Club practices at Perry Park from mid-September through March. Prior to the rink opening, practices occur in Fishers or Columbus. Visit southstarshockey.net for more information.

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