Plainfield Gym Owner Takes on Navy SEAL Challenge to Honor Heroes & Inspire Others Not Your Typical School Lunch Brownsburg Schools Elevate Nutrition Through
BROWNSBURG BAND PREPARES FOR A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TRIP
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BROWNSBURG BAND PREPARES FOR A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TRIP
There are two famous parades in the U.S. that top the list for marching bands across the country: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and the Rose Parade (also known as the Rose Bowl Parade) in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day.
This January, more than 230 Brownsburg Marching Band and Color Guard members will make a trip to California for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“Between the Rose Parade and Macy’s Day, several hundred bands apply each year,” says Chris Kaflik, director of bands
and performing arts department chair at Brownsburg High School. “We did the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2021, and we were waiting for the Rose Parade because that particular parade really exposes the size of your band. This year, we have 20 to 30 more members in the band than we did in 2021.”
Writer / Melissa Gibson
Photographer / Curt Moss
Kaflik says over the years, they’ve worked to improve the competitive nature of the marching band and have focused on the types of shows they select year after year. They’ve also strengthened the marching band through new schedules at the middle school level.
“This year, middle school band will meet every day,” he says. “In the past, it used to
be every other day for less than an hour, but if we’re looking at the competitive side of band, they were getting half the time other bands received. Now that they’re meeting every day, it sets us up in performing arts at a much higher level moving forward.”
Band leadership applied for the Rose Parade in the summer of 2024, and this fall began working on a show that
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included bright colors, floral designs and specific music for the season and the upcoming parade.
They’ll leave on Dec. 27 and return Jan. 2.
“On this trip, we’ll do four different performances,” Kaflik says. “All groups that go to the Rose Parade also do a performance at Disneyland. We’ll participate in Band Fest, a fall competitive showcase from groups all around the world. Also, Bands of America (BOA) holds a combined performance for the high school bands while we’re there.”
The schedule does allow for a bit of sightseeing too.
Kaflik says students will visit Huntington Beach, the Griffith Observatory and theme parks — Universal Studios, Disneyland and California Adventure — and of course, the famous In-N-Out Burger.
They’ll have the opportunity to get a backstage look at the preparation for
the Rose Parade and help work on the finishing touches for various floats.
“There are storage areas where the floats are built, and our students will walk through and see some of those in the final stages, but you can sign up to help too. Then, on the morning of the parade, we have to be there extremely early, and they’ll get another behind-the-scenes look,” says Ed Rouch, director of bands at Brownsburg High School.
When the announcement was made earlier this year, students were excited, but some didn’t know what it was.
“We have kids who have never traveled,” Rouch says. “For some, this will be their first time on an airplane. For some, it will be their first time seeing the ocean. Most haven’t seen the Pacific Ocean at least. Once we told them all the details of the experience, they were even more excited.”
Not only is the California trip meaningful for the individual student, it’s a memory they’ll have as a group — a group that
spends a lot of time together throughout the year. It’s something the directors hope they will cherish.
“We are building a culture where students are learning how to work together and develop their skills at the national level,” Rouch says. “Those skills really apply to things outside of music and band. They’re learning work ethic, the feeling of family and being a part of something larger than yourself. They spend a lot of time together.”
Students learn the value of pushing through and working as a unit.
“You have to be fully engaged, and there’s something about knowing that you can accomplish something that you thought was beyond what you could do. It’s invaluable,” Rouch says. “They learn to work hard and have fun while they’re doing it. You’re not necessarily going to receive anything. You learn that working hard at a high level can be fun and fulfilling anyway.”
Kaflik says when you spend two hours working on eight counts of a 10-minute performance, it teaches focus, commitment and other skills that transfer to that engineering career or other similar options.
Just like any team sport or program, they’re only as good as their weakest link, and the results are a passionate group of students who want to make themselves and those around them proud.
“This isn’t just how good a person is with their music, but are they practicing with the same intensity and level of execution as you are,” Kaflik adds. “When it comes to game time, we want to be great. It’s challenging athletically, and it is like a sports team, but no one is on the bench. Every person participates, and we’re all in this together.”
The trip is an opportunity the band directors have been aiming at for several years.
“Few students in America get to experience this, and this is something we’ve been really thoughtful in planning and trying to provide something pretty special,” Rouch says. “But we would be remiss not to say it takes so much support from our parents and the community to make this possible. We’re incredibly thankful for the businesses, community members and parents who make it happen.”
The Rose Parade trip is expensive with airfares and lodging, but simply driving the semi-trailers with their equipment will cost thousands. The band department is still accepting donations to help with the cost.
Visit brownsburgbands.com to support the Brownsburg band students in this unique opportunity.
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NOT YOUR TYPICAL SCHOOL LUNCH
BROWNSBURG SCHOOLS ELEVATE NUTRITION THROUGH SCRATCH COOKING & GLOBAL MENU INNOVATION
Writer / Renée Larr
Brownsburg Schools’ Nutrition Services Department is proving that today’s school meals can be both nutritious and exciting. Under the leadership of Director of Nutrition Services Jordan Ryan and Assistant Coordinator Victoria Sparks, the district has launched initiatives that emphasize scratch cooking, cultural inclusivity, and student engagement, transforming how children experience food at school.
One of the most popular new initiatives is the Global Harvest Initiative, which introduces students to international dishes such as jollof chicken and rice and lemon-zest broccoli. The program grew from a desire to reflect the diverse tastes of Brownsburg’s student population.
“Our kids eat lots of different foods,” Ryan says. “We wanted our menus to reflect that. It’s not just pizza and chicken nuggets every day.”
The menu development process is surprisingly comprehensive. Recipes often begin as suggestions from staff, students, or parents before being adapted to meet nutritional standards and the capabilities of the school kitchen. Each new dish goes through multiple rounds of testing with staff and student focus groups.
“We make modifications to keep recipes authentic but feasible,” Sparks says. “Once it passes taste tests and nutrition checks, we roll it out across schools.”
While expanding student palates is a priority, the department’s foundation remains balanced nutrition and broad appeal. Because Nutrition Services operates as a self-sustaining fund, participation is vital.
“We rely on students choosing to eat school meals,” Ryan says. “So every menu decision must balance appeal with nutrition.”
Scratch cooking has become another cornerstone of Brownsburg’s approach. With full kitchens in every building, staff can prepare fresh, flavorful meals daily, often from scratch. Favorites include homemade salsa, cinnamon rolls, and even brick-oven pizza at the high school.
“It’s a totally different flavor profile than oven-baked pizza,” Ryan says. “The kids love it.”
Brownsburg’s cafeteria redesigns complement the culinary upgrades, with bright, welcoming spaces meant to encourage positive dining experiences. Sparks says the environment where students eat matters almost as much as the food itself.
“We want it to be a safe, comfortable, enjoyable space,” she says.
The results are measurable. Meal participation has steadily increased during Ryan’s 9-year tenure, alongside a growing population of students
qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches, now at 36%, up from 25% when she began.
“For many students, this might be the best meal they get all day,” Sparks says. “It’s our responsibility to make sure it’s nutritious and delicious.”
Beyond meeting nutritional needs, the department views its work as an opportunity to instill lifelong habits. This mission is clear.
“We’re influencing the food choices these kids will make as adults,” Ryan says. “Serving nutritious, appealing meals supports both their learning and longterm health.”
Looking ahead, Brownsburg Schools plans to continue expanding scratchmade offerings, enhance staff training, and explore more culturally diverse recipes.
“It’s continuous improvement,” Ryan says. “The more we can make from scratch and the more we can excite kids about trying new foods, the better.”
In Brownsburg, school lunch isn’t just a midday meal. It’s a community-driven effort to nourish, educate, and inspire students every day.
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DECEMBER
Submit Your Events!
2-7, 9-14, 16-18, 23-28
THE LUME INDIANAPOLIS FEATURING CONNECTION
Newfields, 4000 N Michigan Rd.
10 a.m.
Be transported to the other side of the world at THE LUME Indianapolis featuring Connection: Land, Water, Sky – Art & Music from Indigenous Australians in this stunning exhibition.
5-6, 12-14, 16-21, 23-24
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Indiana Repertory Theatre,
140 W. Washington Street
2 p.m., 7 p.m., 12 p.m. (Dec. 24 only)
Indy’s holiday tradition Banish your bah humbugs and celebrate the season at the Indiana Repertory Theatre!
5-7, 9-14, 16-21, 23
INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - YULETIDE CELEBRATION
The Shops at Perry Crossing, 2499 Perry Crossing Way
1 - 3 p.m.
Free photo opportunity with a living reindeer and her festive helper in front of our 54ft holiday tree!
5-7, 12, 14 TREES OF PLAINFIELD
Al and Jan Barker Sports Complex
6 - 9 p.m.
Step into a winter wonderland and get ready for some holiday fun! Admission is free for the entire community!
16
NUTCRACKER! MAGICAL CHRISTMAS BALLET
Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St. 7 p.m.
Murat Theatre at Old National Centre Doors: 6:30 p.m. Show: 7:00 p.m.
19, 20
HENDRICKS COUNTY HOLIDAY MARKET & FOOD FESTIVAL
Hendricks County Fairgrounds, 1900 E Main St.
4 p.m., 5 p.m. (Dec. 19 only)
Family Fun, Door Prizes, 100+ Vendors, Arts & Crafts, Jewelry. Home Remodeling Ideas, Food Trucks, Santa, and Much More!
•
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• Demonstation kitchen
• 12,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose
• 24’ x 36’ stage
• Easy load-in areas with overhead door
• High ceilings
• Epoxy covered flooring
• ADA accessibility
UNBREAKABLE SPIRIT
PLAINFIELD GYM OWNER TAKES ON NAVY SEAL CHALLENGE TO HONOR HEROES & INSPIRE OTHERS
In his youth, Jim Beebe, owner of Unbreakable Athletics Academy in Plainfield, loved working out and living a healthy lifestyle.
But like many, when he went to college, the “freshman 15” became a reality — with weight gain, bad food and beer.
However, once Beebe became a father, he changed his personal goals and was eventually offered the experience of a lifetime.
“I had become really unhealthy, but when my son was seven or eight, he said he wanted to be an athlete, and that was sort of a bottoming-out moment for me,” Beebe says. “I needed to get myself in shape, lead by example and show my kids how to live a healthy lifestyle.”
After 15 years in the finance industry, Beebe switched gears in 2013 and became owner and head coach at Unbreakable Athletics. It led to publishing a book, “Athlete Builder: The Blueprint to Build Champion Athletes,” and launching his “Athlete Builder” podcast.
Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographer / Bazz J. Holmes & Vincent Duke
The weekly podcast is what led Beebe to a unique challenge.
“I interview a lot of people in Special Forces, Navy SEAL veterans and others,” he says. “Kenny Bigbee, a retired Navy SEAL and owner of DragonFly Martial Arts Academy in Plainfield, was on the podcast, and he introduced me to Bill Brown, also a Navy SEAL who runs the New York City SEAL Swim each year.”
The NYC SEAL Swim is an all-day event starting in Liberty State Park in New
Jersey, where participants jump into the Hudson River and swim to the Statue of Liberty. There, they do 100 honor pushups and 22 pull-ups — symbolizing the average number of veterans who die by suicide every day.
The athletes then swim from the Statue of Liberty to Ellis Island, where they do another 100 honor pushups and 22 pull-ups. From there, they swim across the Hudson River to Battery Park in Manhattan. They pick up an American
flag and run to the World Trade Center, completing another 100 honor pushups and 22 pull-ups. The event concludes with guest speakers and benefits the Navy SEAL Foundation.
The foundation supports wellness programs, higher education and other
needs — addressing gaps found in Department of Defense and Veterans Administration programs.
Approximately 350 participants raise a minimum of $2,000 each, often collectively generating more than $800,000 for the Navy SEAL Foundation.
Get Ready for Gatherings!
Brown invited Beebe to participate, but at first, Beebe said he wasn’t prepared. He had just turned 50 and was primarily a strength trainer without endurance swimming experience.
Though it would be a challenge, he chose to accept it anyway.
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“I trained for a year,” he says. “I had to learn how to swim, and that first day, I did 10 lengths in the pool and had to rest after each length. Fast forward one year, and I’m swimming three miles without stopping.”
On Aug. 16, 2025, Beebe joined hundreds of others for the annual event.
The group ran into some challenges this year that were not typical in the past. Due to recent tropical storms on the East Coast, the Hudson River current was severe.
“It’s normally a 30-minute swim to the Statue of Liberty, and 45 minutes in, we weren’t getting there,” Beebe says. “Some of the guys were saying we should call this event. I felt like on a good day, this was going to be hard for me, and I think with the current challenges, the event was beyond me.”
As they moved into the second swim toward Ellis Island, Beebe and one other
participant chose to sit it out.
“I felt confident about my decision but felt horrible emotionally,” Beebe says. “The next leg of the swim was supposed to be about 30 minutes, and the current was so strong, guys were finishing in 10 minutes. You had 350 people trying to climb up to the barge, and they were smashing into it. Several got sucked up under the barge, and one guy got a broken hand.”
Beebe says it was the first year the current caused major issues and the first time the Navy SEAL Foundation called off the final swim portion of the event.
“In the end, everyone was fine,” Beebe says. “There were a lot of safety precautions, and no one was seriously hurt, but I think I made the right choice for myself.”
With the challenge behind them, participants resumed the day. They grabbed their flags and began the run to
the World Trade Center.
“Overall, the day was awesome,” Beebe says. “Running through the streets of Manhattan, the bagpipes are playing, the weather was perfect, and I met so many new people. Everyone was positive and willing to help each other. We heard from 9/11 survivors, a Navy SEAL Team Six member and veterans coming back together. It was super moving, and I was so happy to be a part of it.”
Would he do it again?
“Never say never, but I think I need a couple of things,” he says. “I need to train in open-water swimming. A lot of these guys live on the coast and are trained for that type of swimming. I don’t want to be a liability. Secondly, I’d like to have a teammate. Many of them showed up in a group of two or four.”
More importantly, he’s proud of his accomplishment and the example he’s set for his training facility and his family.
“It feels cliché to say it was about the journey and not the destination, but really, all the fears and insecurities I had had to be broken up and smashed through,” Beebe says. “It’s a huge feeling of confidence I’ve gained. I’m healthier, I can swim two to three miles, and when
your family wants to do things like this, there’s nothing better than that. My daughter has been training and practicing and just made the rowing team at her university. My son plays football for Ball State. It’s a blessing.”
Medicare Open Enrollm.ent
Navy SEAL Foundation donations are accepted all year. Find Beebe’s page at impact.navysealfoundation.org/ fundraiser/6145281. Hear Beebe’s full account of the 2025 NYC SEAL Swim on his Athlete Builder podcast, Episodes 101 and 102.
