ILLUMINATING EXCELLENCE
SCHMIDT ELECTRIC IS SHINING A LIGHT ON JOHNSON COUNTY
Dog Grooming on the Road
Wash Ur Pawz Goes Mobile
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5 BUSINESS DIRECTORY
6 DOG GROOMING ON THE ROAD Wash Ur Pawz Goes Mobile 9 MOVIE & TELEVISION MAGIC
Center Grove Grad Aaron Waltke Enjoys Successful Career in LA
13 A STRATEGY FOR STUDENT SUCCESS A Behind the Scenes Look at Building Center Grove’s New Strategic Plan 16 ILLUMINATING EXCELLENCE
Schmidt Electric is Shining a Light on Johnson County
Greenwood Welcomes New Foot and Ankle Surgeon
22 MAKING AN IMPACT Girl Scout Troop Earns Bronze Award with Animal Shelter Project
24 GOING GREEN Center Grove Schools Kick Off a New School Year with Sustainability
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DOG GROOMING ON THE ROAD
WASH UR PAWZ GOES MOBILE
Writer / LS Miller Photography / RSC Imagery
Grace Bowman is a young woman on a mission. She launched her full-service dog grooming business, Wash Ur Pawz, earlier this summer — but with a twist.
“When COVID hit in 2020 and it was at its height, I started grooming dogs of just close family and friends,” Bowman said. “I loved it. I love animals. I love spending time with them and their different personalities. I have always loved dog grooming, but I wanted to make my business mobile. That is where my idea for all of this started really coming together. Once I knew my business model would be mobile, it’s like so many things clicked into place.”
Wash Ur Pawz launched full services from a
mobile grooming, so it is ready for anything. We have a wash basin, blow-dry area — it literally is just my mobile office, all in one.
“The mobile aspect is such a game changer — really for any business — but I’m especially thankful for this one. It’s a convenience factor for the customer, and we can all relate to that.”
Bowman services areas in Johnson County including Greenwood, Bargersville, Franklin and Whiteland. She now also travels to customers in and around Martinsville and Mooresville.
haircut, brushing and ear cleaning. Clients can also opt for services excluding the cut, depending on breed. Prices vary based on breed and size.
Bowman didn’t begin her adult life with this career in mind. She started college at
“I graduated from Butler in 2022,” Bowman said. “I studied strategic communications, which I consider an umbrella degree. I could have gone into marketing. I wanted to do corporate events — and that was a really cool thought, but the schedule is grueling. I wanted more of a 9-to-5, so I got myself into a position with an insurance company, and I did that for about two years. I was behind the desk taking phone calls, and one day I just thought, ‘This is not for me either, even though the culture and the people are so great.’”
It was then Bowman began considering a viable career in dog grooming.
“I actually went to the Grooming School of Indiana. It was a 12-week program from September to December.”
There, she learned bathing techniques and grooming for specific breed hair types.
“The first week is all information-based — you learn the parts of the dog’s body. Then we went into bathing with German shepherds, labs and beagles. A few weeks later, we started with doodles and other breeds that call for a specific haircut style.
“After my program was finished, an instructor there talked with me about wanting to start
her own business. She had previously owned a grooming business and sold it, and she was interested in getting back into it.”
That instructor eventually did start her business, and Bowman, in the right place at the right time and willing to work hard, gained valuable experience under her mentorship.
“I worked with and under her from January to May, and I had a ton of learning experience from her. It was awesome learning how she started out — things about customer relations too.”
Then came time for Bowman to go out on her own. She credits her success, in part, to her Center Grove community.
“The chatter group page on Facebook for Center Grove has been just absolutely incredible,” Bowman said. “This is solely a clientele-based business, so it was very scary when I went out on my own.”
She needed to build a client list, complete with recurring appointments booked six to eight weeks out.
“The chatter group’s response to me has been so overwhelming,” she said.
In a year, she hopes to have her client schedule completely full — a goal she believes is within reach, given her business’s current growth.
“It seems like I’ll be chock full at the rate I’m going,” she said. “I am very dedicated to building this foundation of customers who come back because they are so happy with the service their fur babies receive.”
Bowman said making a good first impression is crucial.
“Even though it’s just a dog and a haircut, for a lot of people, this is literally their family member, and they want to feel comfortable with the person doing the grooming. I want to always make sure of that.”
Because in the end, she said, she would rather argue with a dog all day.
“By the end, we’ll still be friends.”
Wash Ur Pawz can be found on both Facebook and Instagram. Bowman can be reached directly at 317-306-0710 or by email at washurpawz@gmail.com.
MOVIE & TELEVISION MAGIC
CENTER GROVE GRAD
AARON WALTKE ENJOYS SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN LA
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
Steven Spielberg wasn’t the only young lad who carried a camcorder in his youth, making short films with his friends. Aaron Waltke, who graduated from Center Grove High in 2002, did the same. As a teenager, he discovered that if he made ambitious short films entirely in French, his French teacher would give him an A.
“That was when I caught the filmmaking
bug. I also made comedy shorts, which my parents politely tolerated,” said Waltke, who also participated in the Center Grove marching band and was active in Troop 245 of the Boy Scouts of America, earning Eagle Scout ranking.
He chose to study at Indiana University because his family had a deep relationship with the school. His dad, aunt and uncle
were alumni, and his grandfather worked not only as head usher at Assembly Hall but also as an engineer in IU’s psychology department, building custom inventions for experiments. In his free time, he built mechanical sculptures that were displayed around town.
“My personal favorite was one called Franklinstein, a 12-foot mechanical
Aaron Waltke with wife Ellen Tremiti and daughter Ramona
Aaron Waltke at Center Grove High School, circa 2002
sculpture. From one angle it looked like Benjamin Franklin and from another angle Boris Karloff’s Frankenstein,” Waltke said. “This giant animatronic would rock back and forth when you got in front of it, shouting quotes from ‘Poor Richard’s Almanack.’”
While at IU, Waltke took eclectic, broad coursework, majoring in telecommunications and minoring in English, theater and culture.
“I knew that if I wanted to be a storyteller, I needed to have stories to tell,” said Waltke, who joined the oldest sketch comedy group in the state, Boy in the Bubble, where they put on a brand-new sketch show every two weeks.
“We would spend a week writing and rehearsing and then perform the next week. No one told us that was insane,” Waltke said. “That ended up being great training for the entertainment industry, where with film and television, you’re expected to generate high-quality content very quickly, sometimes on the fly, and usually in about two-week increments.”
At IU, he also worked with WTIU, the PBS affiliate, producing a documentary as part of a series called “Our Town” that spotlighted different Hoosier towns. He was told his Bedford documentary was the most viewed and most successful fundraising documentary of the entire project when it aired.
After graduating from IU in 2006, Waltke worked as a production assistant in Chicago on films like “Fred Claus.” On that production, he worked a night shoot in January when the temperature was minus 6 degrees.
“I was bundled up in seven layers of clothing, having to prevent people from crossing a bridge for a certain scene as the film crew helicopter flew over it, mimicking Santa’s sleigh,” Waltke said.
After projects in New York, he took a gamble and drove to Los Angeles, where he edited content for what was then a
newfangled thing called YouTube. The first two pieces he edited went viral, and at 22 years old, he was hired as a writer, editor and producer for National Lampoon.
After the recession, he worked in reality TV, including developing and helping to sell “The Real Housewives of Miami.”
During that time, he performed sketch comedy with friends and made short films for the LA Comedy Festival. One of his scripts made its way to DreamWorks Animation, and he was offered a job writing urban fantasy scripts for Guillermo del Toro’s “Trollhunters,” Netflix’s entry into CGI TV animation.
“I remember in college watching ‘The Devil’s Backbone’ and thinking, ‘Wow, someone is carrying the torch for dark fantasy. This is the type of story I connect with,’” Waltke said. “I never would have guessed that four years later I’d be collaborating with my hero [Guillermo del Toro].”
Waltke has worked with the Hageman Brothers (Kevin and Dan), Marc Guggenheim (who created “Arrow” and “Legends of Tomorrow” for the CW), Rodrigo Blaas (who worked on “The
Incredibles”), Chad Quandt (“WondLa”) and Ashley “A.C.” Bradley, who created Marvel’s “What If...?” He also flexed his comedy muscles as head writer for “UniKitty!,” a “LEGO Movie” spinoff from Cartoon Network. He co-showran the final installment of the “Trollhunters” series, “Wizards: Tales of Arcadia.”
When he joined “Star Trek: Prodigy” as a writer and producer, the Hageman Brothers joked he was employee No. 1 since he was the original Star Trek fan.
“Some of the first action movies I saw in the theater were the Star Trek films with my dad, so that was really special to get a chance to contribute to the canon of that incredible universe,” he said.
Currently, he’s the showrunner and executive producer on “Wings of Fire,” a forthcoming television show based on high fantasy novels by Tui T. Sutherland.
“It’s like the next generation’s ‘Harry Potter,’” Waltke said. “When I read the books, they reminded me of my own experience reading ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit,’ which was my gateway to fantasy.”
A showrunner for television is similar to a film director.
“I’m responsible for all creative decisions,” he said.
“Wings of Fire” is in development and will stream on Amazon Prime.
“Because this is a fantasy series, there’s quite a lot of CGI animation, and that can take longer to produce,” he said.
Waltke, who has received an Emmy Award, a Peabody Award and multiple nominations for his work in film and television, was named by The College Magazine to its “20 Under 40” list. He’s married to writer and mystery author Ellen Tremiti. The couple have a 2-yearold daughter named Ramona.
In elementary and middle school, Waltke played Warhammer with friends. Several of them have reconvened in group chats and now travel annually to one another’s city for a weekend of gaming. Last year they met in Tucson; this year Waltke is hosting in Los Angeles.
Waltke rarely experiences burnout because film and television projects have a natural end.
“I’m lucky because I get to bounce around working in different genres,” Waltke said. “Some people don’t like that chaos, but for my own ADHD brain, it’s nice to change things up to keep the creative well refreshed.”
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A STRATEGY FOR STUDENT SUCCESS A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT BUILDING CENTER GROVE’S NEW STRATEGIC PLAN
Writer / Lauren Casey Bemis
As the doors to Center Grove’s nine school buildings welcome students and staff back for the 2025–26 school year, the district is set to roll out its new strategic plan to the community.
The Center Grove Community School Corporation’s Strategic Plan is a collective vision to move the district forward and reflects its commitment to providing exceptional educational experiences to all students. The process of building the plan from the ground up took several months and involved many stakeholders.
“We’re an awesome school corporation, but if we’re not looking for ways to get better and to better serve our community, then we’re going to become a stagnant school corporation,” said Bill Long, superintendent of Center Grove Community School Corporation. “This plan is anchored by our mission to develop knowledgeable, confident and responsible citizens through inspirational and innovative learning opportunities.”
The district developed the plan through two surveys of the greater Center Grove
community, requesting honest feedback from families, faculty, students and staff.
“I can say firsthand that we heard you, we listened, we looked at the feedback. We looked at the results and that was woven into every one of our pillars of the plan,” said Lisa Porat, a parent of CGCSC alumni and a community member involved in the planning process. “I think one of the beautiful things about this process is that the school corporation leadership wanted to have people like me involved. I’m not an employee. I don’t get
paid to do this. My child has graduated, but yet they’re listening to people in the community.”
In addition to reviewing hundreds of survey responses, the district hosted several focus groups with a variety of stakeholders to speak candidly about their perspectives on the district — its strengths, weaknesses and future goals.
“Our focus groups involved several different groups of people; we had community members, former students, current students, staff, parents, everybody,” said Long. The district also included these voices in its strategic planning committee, which helped develop the foundational pillars. These individuals analyzed the feedback, debated and developed action items for the district. “I was very pleased with the engagement that we got from our community.”
Educators were also a critical part of the process. Courtney Hess, a kindergarten
teacher at Sugar Grove Elementary and former Teacher of the Year for the district, said teachers brought valuable firsthand experience to the table.
“Teachers are the ones living and breathing it every day, and so it’s important that our voices are heard. I think that our perspective was very valuable in this process,” Hess said. “I think Center Grove is exceptional because we’re not willing to be the status quo. We’re always looking at how we can improve for our students, teachers, families and community. We’re willing to make those changes and step out of our comfort zone to do what’s best for kids.”
Also involved was high school teacher and father of five Greg Werner, who appreciated that the CGCSC Strategic Plan is uniquely tailored to the district and its community.
“This is not just some kind of cookiecutter product that we see working
somewhere else that we’re going to try to implement here,” Werner said. “Everybody had this voice in ultimately deciding what’s best for Center Grove.”
During the strategic planning process, committee members finalized three core pillars — each with its own action items and success metrics:
Learn and Succeed: Create learning environments that challenge and support every learner, ensuring high-quality and engaging experiences for all students and staff.
Belong and Thrive: Foster supportive environments where every student and staff member feels safe, valued and connected, promoting a culture of empathy, kindness and mutual respect.
Communicate and Engage: Foster a culture where constituents feel heard, valued and engaged by creating meaningful opportunities for
participation, feedback and connection across the Center Grove experience.
Board member and parent Jane DuniganSmith worked on the Communicate and Engage pillar. As a working mother with active children in the district, she noted a consistent theme in community feedback: a desire for clearer, more streamlined communication.
“We were looking to find new ways that we could communicate effectively and efficiently to our constituents — the stakeholders within the community, the parents and students,” Dunigan-Smith said. “We also wanted to find ways to engage with them so that we’re creating a two-way dialogue, and that we can all work together to make an even better Center Grove Community School Corporation.”
Dunigan-Smith, who works in strategic planning professionally, said the district’s approach — collecting feedback, involving multiple stakeholders and building a clear, prioritized plan — was vital for success.
“This plan shows not only what we are going to do, but how we are prioritizing those things,” she said. “We have the priorities, then think about how we set those priorities so that we do these things well. I think that’s really critical, and that’s what we have built into this plan.”
Transparency and responsiveness were key goals of the process, Long said.
“We want to be completely transparent in everything that we do. People need to have an opportunity to provide their feedback, and then we have an obligation to respond and say, ‘We’ve heard your feedback,’” Long said. “My key takeaway from our whole strategic planning process is how valuable the school district is to our community and how everyone wants to see us succeed.”
To learn more about the CGCSC Strategic Plan, visit centergrove.k12.in.us/ strategicplan.
ILLUMINATING EXCELLENCE
SCHMIDT ELECTRIC IS SHINING A LIGHT ON JOHNSON COUNTY
Nestled in the heart of Johnson County, where suburban settings blend with an active community, one name shines bright in residential electrical services: Schmidt Electric. As a family-owned business, it has not only brightened some of Johnson County’s most esteemed residences but also paved the way for quality and trust within the community. By combining experience, innovation and
Writer / Chad Sims
a commitment to customer satisfaction, Schmidt Electric has become a symbol of excellence.
THE GENESIS OF SCHMIDT ELECTRIC
The journey of Schmidt Electric began more than 20 years ago when Randy Schmidt became an electrician. Fueled by his passion
for the trade and strong family values, Randy paved his way by establishing Schmidt Electric in 2023.
“I wanted to create something my children could take pride in and, one day, become a part of,” he shared. “I want to show them firsthand what it means to work hard, stay humble and build something meaningful.”
What began as a small venture providing electrical services for some of Duke Homes’ projects quickly transformed into a symbol of reliability for one of Indiana’s largest residential homebuilders. With the support of his wife, Megan, Randy launched the business.
“It seems like we grew overnight,” Megan recalls. “The demand for our electrical services skyrocketed once people learned that we had started our own electrical company, and there were times when Randy would work seven days a week for months on end.”
Randy’s unwavering dedication and tireless efforts have borne fruit, as word of his commitment to quality and exceptional customer service has spread. Today, Schmidt Electric is a thriving business, employing numerous skilled electricians and proudly serving hundreds of homes across Johnson County.
TRUSTED BY DUKE HOMES
When you earn the trust of one of Indiana’s premier homebuilders, it becomes effortless to validate the quality of your work. Randy and
Mike Duke, the president of Duke Homes Inc., have collaborated for several years. This strong partnership was founded from day one on trust and a commitment to delivering outstanding results.
“Randy is incredibly reliable, and I can always rely on him,” Duke said. “We view Randy and his entire team as an extension of our own. I have complete confidence that every project will be completed accurately and efficiently. I feel fortunate to have such an outstanding partner and eagerly anticipate many more fruitful years ahead.”
Under Randy’s guidance, the company has expanded its residential services to meet the needs of diverse builders and homeowners seeking electrical solutions. Throughout this growth, the same high standard of craftsmanship that has always been delivered to Duke Homes remains unwavering.
“I’m grateful for our relationship with Duke Homes,” Randy said. “Their homes are like something out of a magazine. It’s a privilege to help bring them to life.”
Randy’s vision for the company is well defined: to foster a legacy of trust and innovation while evolving to meet contemporary demands. This vision has propelled Schmidt Electric to adopt new technologies, push the boundaries of the company’s capabilities and uphold sustainable practices, ensuring it stays ahead in the electrical industry.
ONCE-INA-LIFETIME PROJECTS
The true measure of Schmidt Electric’s success is reflected in its commitment to delivering electrical services to some of Indiana’s largest residences.
Working on homes spanning 10,000 square feet demands much more than merely installing wiring or connecting outlets. Homes of this scale require elevated precision and problem-solving abilities to ensure everything functions seamlessly.
For instance, the latest project that Schmidt is currently engaged in at Bargersville features specialty lighting sourced from India.
“When you receive these kinds of requests, you need to find a way to balance employee scheduling, installation timelines and ensuring the highest quality,” Randy said.
Schmidt Electric has participated in numerous “once-in-a-lifetime” projects in recent years. Reflecting on the largest home in Johnson County, one team member remarked, “It’s truly astonishing to realize that projects of this scale began with nothing more than the studs and some drywall.”
Such projects frequently resonate with Schmidt Electric’s clients, highlighting the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction. These trust endorsements serve not only as badges of honor but also as motivating forces that inspire the team to consistently pursue excellence.
PREMIER SERVICE IN THE HEART OF JOHNSON COUNTY
Schmidt Electric has carved a niche for itself as Johnson County’s premier residential electrical company, a title it doesn’t take lightly. Their services range from routine electrical maintenance to complex installations and smart home integrations. The team is equipped with
the latest tools and training, ensuring they can tackle any challenge with precision and expertise.
“Our goal is to make sure our community feels safe and confident in their homes,” Randy said. “Electricity is a critical component of everyday life, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly.”
Their commitment to the community extends beyond electrical services. Schmidt Electric is actively involved in local charities and initiatives, reflecting their belief in giving back. This sense of community service further endears them to Johnson County residents, reinforcing their reputation as a company that cares.
A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD
As lifelong residents of Johnson County, Randy and his partner— both in business and in life—Megan Schmidt, currently live in Edinburgh, Indiana. Together, they raise their two sons, Brycen, 15, and Landon, 11.
The company moved into a new 12,000-square foot headquarters located on the border of Franklin and Bargersville. Schmidt is committed to training and development, ensuring that their growing team remains equipped to handle the evolving demands of the electrical industry.
“We believe in investing in people,” Megan said. “Our crew is the heart of this company. When they grow, we all grow.”
As Schmidt Electric continues to grow, its dedication to family values, community and customer satisfaction remains unwavering. It’s a legacy built on trust, and as they look toward the horizon, they do so with the same passion and determination that Randy and Megan instilled from the beginning.
In Johnson County, Schmidt Electric is not just a name—it’s a promise of excellence. As they continue to illuminate homes, one thing is certain: The future is bright for Schmidt Electric.
To learn more, visit schmidtelectricindy.com.
BEST FOOT FORWARD
GREENWOOD WELCOMES NEW FOOT
AND ANKLE SURGEON
Writer and Photographer / Abbie Willans
The Carroll Foot & Ankle Clinic is proud to welcome a new surgeon to its practice. Dr. Andrew Syndergaard, DPM, MS, recently completed his Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency at Ascension St. Vincent hospital in Indianapolis and is looking forward to making Indiana his home.
Originally from Utah, Dr. Syndergaard and his family have lived in many states across the U.S. After completing his degree at Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago, Illinois, he and his wife decided to put down roots in Indiana.
“My wife and I have four kids and we love to get outdoors,” he says. They’re excited to explore the Indiana Dunes soon. When the family came to Indiana at the beginning of his residency, they were in an RV, and Dr. Syndergaard stayed on a farm on the north side of Indianapolis in exchange for watching the animals while the owners went on vacation.
“It was a great trade-off. I’m from a really small town with more sheep than people. My wife is from Salt Lake City, and every place we’ve lived has been getting smaller and smaller. We’re showing her the ways of
the small town,” he says with a laugh.
“We’re excited to call ourselves Hoosiers,” he adds.
Dr. Syndergaard and his wife enjoy the relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere in Indiana, and he sees it at work as well as at home.
“Most people are either wearing improperly fitted shoes or the wrong kinds of shoes,” he says.
“The office environment is unique here compared to some places I’ve been. The staff is really tight-knit. Everybody knows everybody, not just on a professional level, but also a personal level. It helps the vibe of the office, and I think the patients pick up on that.”
Dr. Syndergaard has experience with all kinds of surgeries, from fixing flat feet and high arches to performing amputations and tendon transfers.
“Doing reconstructions is really rewarding; seeing people who’ve had deformities for several years and then doing procedures that can help them get back to a normal life,” he says. However, it isn’t just those with severe foot conditions who could use Dr. Syndergaard’s advice.
He explains that in his biomechanical training, he learned about the “kinetic chain” and how each joint moves together and affects the joints around it, from the big toe all the way up to the knee and hip. His professor taught him how to use a Brannock device, the tool often found in shoe stores to help customers measure their feet.
“A good shoe will want to bend right where your foot bends. A lighter, thinner shoe these days will fold like tacos, and there’s no support. The Brannock device measures where that break point is on the shoe.”
Many people look at the length of their feet, but Dr. Syndergaard says that the
important piece is the small knob on the side of the device.
“I even did this before I went to school. I was wearing what I thought were cool shoes, but I didn’t realize then that my shoe size was a lot bigger than I thought. I ran a marathon in a pair of shoes that were way too small, and I didn’t know until my training classes. I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, I’ve been in the wrong shoes.’ It really matters in the world we live in, full of hard tile and linoleum. We’ve got to protect our feet,” he continues.
Dr. Syndergaard will be accepting new patients starting Aug. 4, 2025, and is bilingual, offering services in Spanish as well.
More information can be found by calling 317-799-9000 or at carrollfootdoc.com.
Carroll Foot & Ankle Clinic is located at 8849 Shelby St., Suite B1, Indianapolis, IN 46227.
MAKING AN IMPACT
GIRL SCOUT TROOP EARNS BRONZE AWARD WITH ANIMAL SHELTER PROJECT
Writer / Melissa Gibson
Six young ladies, ages 10 and 11, from Girl Scout Troop 608 recently earned their Bronze award and helped the community in the process.
The Bronze award is the first step toward reaching the Gold award, the equivalent of an Eagle Scout, and requires 20 hours of volunteer time. The scouts had to come up with a service project that leaves a legacy in their community.
“They collected donations of dog food, cat food and other supplies like blankets and treats for the Johnson County Animal Shelter,” said scout mom Allison Crouch. “They aren’t allowed to collect monetary donations, so it required them to think outside of the box. They set up a couple of drop-off points and spent an evening at the Farmer’s Market spreading the word.”
It wasn’t as easy as collecting food and supplies and dropping them off. The troop also had to come up with a way to leave a legacy that would last far longer than the food.
“They worked with the animal shelter to learn about the different things they needed, and unfortunately, the shelter typically has more animals than foster families. So, the girls came up with the idea to create a backdrop for digital marketing,” Crouch said.
They researched how to make a backdrop, came up with a fun tie-dye design, and constructed it to sit in the shelter’s office.
When an adoptable animal arrives, volunteers at the shelter can snap a photo of the animal and post it on social media, hopefully drawing attention to their new four-legged addition, thanks to the colorful backdrop the girls made.
It was the perfect project for such a philanthropic troop.
“The animal shelter is near and dear to their heart. This troop wants to use their cookie funds to buy things for the shelter at Christmas time. They’ve done diaper drives and donated to Riley,” Crouch said. “This
project was just on a grander scale.” Of course, the young ladies learned a lot along the way as well.
Working as a team, they relied on each other’s strengths to create solutions to challenges. They learned to work with others through the nonprofit, learned that giving feels better than receiving, and they’ll enter middle school closer than ever.
“The six girls have become closer over the last year, and now they know they have somebody that will be there in middle school: someone to lean on. It’s about helping the community but also about learning how to help each other,” Crouch said.
It’s the best part of the Girl Scouts organization, according to Crouch — the growth young ladies experience through challenges like the Bronze award, and eventually, the Gold, but also through selling cookies and other projects throughout the year.
“It’s against Girl Scout regulations to raise money for another organization, so they have to use other means to get donations. The cookie sales pay for all of their activities throughout the year, so they’re also learning to manage time, money and interpersonal relationships,” Crouch said. “They learn how to respond when they get turned down and to work hard to get the benefits of the program too.”
The six Bronze award winners from Troop 608 have completed their project and have officially moved forward to the cadet level
for this fall, but it’s never too late to join.
Girls entering kindergarten and first grade are eligible for the Daisy program and can continue through high school. This August, representatives will be at each of the elementary schools to share more information during orientation evenings, and sign-ups will be ongoing for several weeks.
Visit girlscoutsindiana.org to learn more about the program.
ORTHO INDY
Molly, Dagne, Gwen, Ellie, Skye, Cece with Oliver
GOING GREEN
CENTER GROVE SCHOOLS KICK OFF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR WITH SUSTAINABILITY
Writer / Renee Larr
Center Grove Community School Corporation is strategically advancing toward a more sustainable future, with a keen focus on both environmental impact and fiscal responsibility. A significant energy efficiency initiative is currently in progress across seven of the district’s schools. This initiative, which combines solar energy, geothermal HVAC systems and advanced energy controls, is designed to substantially reduce utility costs, cut emissions, and redirect savings into teacher compensation.
“We spend 85% of our recurring operating budget on personnel,” says Dr. Jason Taylor, Associate Superintendent. “That leaves us with about 15% to work with when trying to improve compensation or address other priorities. Utilities are the biggest slice of that remaining budget, so this project is about being strategic with the dollars we have.”
The district has formed a partnership with CMTA Energy Solutions, a Louisville-based firm specializing in energy-saving projects for schools and public institutions. Selected through a competitive bid process, CMTA is implementing upgrades across six buildings initially: Center Grove Elementary, Maple Grove Elementary, Walnut Grove Elementary, Center Grove Middle School North, Center Grove Middle School Central and Center Grove High School. A seventh school, Sugar Grove Elementary, is
expected to join the initiative later this year.
The district is also installing solar panels on the Emergency Operations Center and the transportation and maintenance facility. Most of the installations are rooftop systems, a choice driven by both aesthetics and practicality.
“A lot of our buildings don’t have available open land, so rooftop solar just made the most sense,” Dr. Taylor says. “For example, Center Grove Elementary has a flat roof with solar panels you’d never even notice unless you were looking for them. We also wanted to be good neighbors and make sure the installations fit the character of our community.”
CGCSC officials began by earmarking the buildings with the highest electricity costs. The district has three different utility providers—Duke Energy, Johnson County REMC, and Bargersville Utilities—and focused first on those served by Duke and Bargersville, where energy costs were highest. Schools in the Johnson County REMC service area, where rates are already lower, will be included in a future phase.
The financial structure behind the project is equally strategic. Rather than pay upfront, the district is using a financing model
similar to a mortgage, allowing it to invest now and pay over time using the energy savings. The project also qualifies for federal incentives through the Inflation Reduction Act, expecting to return roughly $4.2 million in tax credits to the district over the next two years.
“In Indiana, this type of arrangement is known as a Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract,” Dr. Taylor says. “CMTA guarantees a certain level of energy savings, and if we don’t hit that mark, they must make up the difference. That guarantee gave us the confidence to move forward.”
Maple Grove Elementary is emerging as the district’s crown jewel in sustainability. When renovations are complete later this year, it will become CGCSC’s first net-zero energy school, meaning it will generate as much energy as it uses annually.
“Even though it’s not our oldest building, Maple Grove had some of the oldest HVAC equipment in the district because it was one of the first newer buildings built in the early 2000s,” Dr. Taylor says. “We were already planning to renovate it in the upcoming years, so it made sense to go all in and create a fully electric, net-zero facility.”
The transformation involved converting gas-powered kitchen equipment and water heaters to electric, installing a geothermal HVAC system and building a ground-mounted solar array large enough to power the school entirely.
“Once it’s up and running, we’ll have completely eliminated that school’s utility costs from our recurring budget,” Dr. Taylor says. “That’s money we can now put toward our teachers and students.”
While the financial and environmental benefits are clear, Dr. Taylor says the upgrades also provide opportunities for student
engagement. Each building features a digital information panel that displays live solar output, energy savings and equivalent environmental impacts, such as the number of trees saved or emissions avoided.
“We’ve incorporated these real-world examples into our curriculum wherever possible,” he says. “When students can see how much energy their school is producing and how it affects the environment, it becomes a powerful learning tool.”
The initiative not only supports long-term environmental stewardship but also offers tangible benefits to taxpayers. “For those in the community who don’t have kids in the school system, this still benefits them,” Dr. Taylor says. “By reducing operating costs, we can keep our tax rate low. In lieu of a referendum, we’re creating new money through smart investments.”
This is only the beginning. The next phase of upgrades will target additional buildings not yet included in the current rollout, particularly those served by Johnson County REMC. Dr. Taylor also says the district is exploring partnerships with the cooperative to install large-scale batteries that could help mitigate outages and provide backup power.
“These batteries would also help with peak demand management
and could be beneficial to both the school and the utility provider,” he says. “It’s a win-win.”
Dr. Taylor believes Center Grove’s model could be replicated in districts across the state, especially as energy prices continue to rise and school budgets remain tight.
“We’re not the only district doing this,” Dr. Taylor says. “ClarkPleasant and Wayne Township are constructing similar projects, but it does require forward thinking, available land or newer buildings, and local support. For us, it’s about finding creative ways to put more money where it matters most in the classroom.”
The district is already seeing real savings. In just the first quarter of 2025, even before Maple Grove’s upgrades, Center Grove saved more than $100,000 in utility costs. It’s a promising start to what Dr. Taylor hopes will be a long-term commitment to sustainability and fiscal responsibility.
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AUGUST CROSSWORD PUZZLE
ACROSS
1. Gulf
21. Fizzle, with “out”
House adjunct
Poetic paean
Card game start
Small amounts
Grazing ground
Gratifies
Break
Nothing but
Doctor’s directive
Age of Aquarius, for one
Needs treatment
43. European viper
45. Extinguishes
48. Kind of flour
49. Half and half
50. Highflying industry
56. Dawn discovery
57. During
58. Australian export
59. Mouse catcher
60. Die
61. Duration of office
DOWN
1. Aromatherapy site
2. Is up to the task
3. Coffee holder
4. Two-spots
5. Bill producers
6. C’est la ___
7. Hostel
8. Block or dissuade
9. Incense stick
10. Soothing plant
11. Flower plots
16. Christmas song leapers
20. Elaborate
21. Equestrian contest
22. Heaven on earth
23. Pond swimmer
24. “Bullitt” director
25. Pub pints
28. British noble
30. Became mellow
31. Plain
32. Practice in the ring
35. Doesn’t go
38. Bark
42. Biblical patriarch
44. Stop
45. Extinction exemplar
46. Again, in different form
47. Whimper
48. Was a passenger
51. Flightless bird
52. Barbecue offering
53. Make like
54. Game show giveaway
55. Glade shade
AROUND THE COMMUNITY, 2025
AUGUST
COMEDIAN JIMMIE
“JJ” WALKER AT MAD HATTER
Mad Hatter Shows, 916 E. Main St., Greenwood 7 to 9 p.m.
As the character JJ Evans on “Good Times”, famous for dropping the catchphrase “Dyn-O-Mite!,” actor and stand-up comedian Jimmie Walker became one of the best-loved sitcom stars in the mid’70s. All seats are first come, first served per section.
14
ROTARY UNCORKED
The Sycamore at Mallow Run, 7070 W. Whiteland Road 6 to 9 p.m.
Join the Center Grove Rotary Club for a festive evening of hors d’oeuvres, fine wines and live music benefiting Damar Services Inc. and Rotary Charities. Silent auction and 50/50 raffle. JMV from 93.5/107.5 The Fan emcees.
16
WAMMFEST
Craig Park, 10 E. Smith Valley Road, Greenwood Noon to 8:30 p.m.
Wine, Art, Music, Microbrews — this charitable event showcases arts, culture and entertainment, with net proceeds distributed back into the community to support youth, individuals and community organizations.
29
FINAL FRIDAYS
Old Town Greenwood, 300 S. Madison Ave., Greenwood 5 to 9 p.m.
The streets of Old Downtown Greenwood come alive as shops stay open late and artists, entertainers and musicians provide a cool vibe to kick off your weekend.
View All Local Events or Submit Your Own
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