MUNCIE SAILING CLUB PROMISES TRANQUILITY & CAMARADERIE
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FIRST THURSDAY GALLERY WALK
6 AM - 8 PM
Downtown, 120 W. Charles St.
FIRST THURSDAYS WITH THE MUNCIE MAKERS MARKET
5 to 8 PM
CALENDAR OF EVENTS JUNE
Submit Your Events!
Adams and Walnut Streets, downtown
Join local growers and makers for a fun, outdoor community experience every month during First Thursdays in downtown Muncie.
7 MUNCIE CARS & COFFEE
9 AM – 12 PM
Old National Bank parking lot, 116 W. Charles St.
Open to all years, makes and models. Come check out vehicles and talk cars with other gearheads and enthusiasts. Hosted by the Muncie Volkswagen Club.
VETERANS COFFEE CLUB
9 - 11 AM
Muncie Delaware County Senior Center Auditorium, 2517 W. Eighth St.
12 BOB ROSS KIDS PAINTING WORKSHOP
12 - 2 PM
Minnetrista, 1200 N. Minnetrista Parkway
A guided painting event for kids.
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MUNCIE THREE TRAILS MUSIC SERIES: HARLEM GOSPEL TRAVELERS
6 PM
Canan Commons, 500 S. Walnut St.
Enjoy a free, all-ages concert by Grammy-nominated gospel/ soul group the Harlem Gospel Travelers. Sponsored by Defur Voran.
14 BETHEL MUSIC: WORSHIP & MINISTRY NIGHTS
7 PM
Reardon Auditorium, 1015 E. Fifth St.
JUNETEENTH MUNCIE CELEBRATION
2 to 9 PM
McCulloch Park, 1200 Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Blvd.
19 MJ LIVE – MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE
7:30 PM
Paramount Theatre, 1124 Meridian Plaza
THIRD THURSDAYS WITH THE MUNCIE MAKERS MARKET AT MADJAX
5 - 8 PM
Madjax Maker Force, 515 E. Main St.
Enjoy a vibrant indoor “night market” featuring local growers and makers.
WHERE THE WINDS CARRY YOU
MUNCIE SAILING CLUB PROMISES TRANQUILITY & CAMARADERIE
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
When Prairie Creek Lake was dammed up in the 1950s, several people in the area who raced small sailboats discussed starting a sailing club on Prairie Creek. In 1963, they organized the Muncie Sailing Club.
According to member James Taylor, when the club first launched, the property lacked docks, a seawall, and driveways.
“In the beginning, there was only a barbed wire fence, thorn trees, bulrush, mud, and a
rundown house,” says Taylor.
Over time, the club grew to 100 members, all of whom owned small recreational daysailors or snipes. Keith Addison, Commodore of the Muncie Sailing Club, got into sailing when he moved to Muncie in 2020. Upon meeting others at the Muncie Sailing Club, he found that many of them shared common interests.
“Some ride motorcycles. Some fly airplanes,”
says Addison. “People who are drawn to sailing like the adventure, the challenge, and the independence.”
The sailing community always has one another’s backs. Whenever members of the club see someone struggling, they step in to offer a tool, a shackle, or some friendly advice. They even have created legacies on the water. Take Cooper’s Lighthouse, which was erected in 1997 in memory of Charles
W. Cooper. Member Fred Bedwell was a friend of Cooper’s, and one day while out sailing, Cooper mentioned that sailing was his favorite adventure. The lighthouse sits on the grounds of the Muncie Sailing Club and was funded by money raised by members of the club.
An interesting historical tidbit: During the Civil War, a Union Army train derailed in New Castle, Indiana, causing a carload of cannonballs to fall from the train. The ball that sits atop Cooper’s Lighthouse is one of those cannonballs.
Six decades ago, sailboats on Prairie Creek were all small. Now, however, some people own larger watercraft that are 20 to 25 feet. These larger vessels enable owners to sleep overnight on their boat. Addison and his wife did this before the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 Muncie competition when they anchored out in their boat the night before the race. The Muncie Sailing Club sponsors the race, and Addison was one of four sailboats on the water to help in case a racer found themselves in distress.
With a steaming cup of coffee in hand, he recalls feeling the dewy air on his cheeks as he watched the sun come up over the horizon that morning. Across the water, everyone was getting set up for the race. From Addison’s vantage point, all was still, silent and serene. When the race commenced, hundreds of people started swimming.
“They looked like little fish jumping out
of the water in a pattern,” Addison says. “As they were doing the strokes and got closer to our boat, I could hear the splash, splash, splash of water. If I had closed my eyes and didn’t know what was going on, I would have thought it was a salmon run.”
Today the club has a private clubhouse, bathroom & shower facilities, fully equipped kitchen, and dining & screened porch. Other amenities include secure & safe docks, playground & shelter house, easy launch access areas, inside & outside picnic area, fire pit, grills, sandy beach, and social events. New in the last three years to the Muncie Sailing Club is the integration of kayaks. Members can store them in bays rather than having to hassle with transporting them back and forth from their houses.
“We had a couple who joined the club this year after taking classes,” Addison says.
Currently, the Muncie Sailing Club has between 50 and 60 members. Some of the people in the club have been sailing for more than 30 years, but they welcome new members—and new sailors—with open arms. Members even teach lessons although if someone is seeking a sailing certification, they need to get it through the American Sailing Association. The lessons teach sailing terminology and offer handson practice to help newbies get their sea legs. Students can use club boats so it’s not necessary to invest in your own boat to take lessons.
Although they do not offer camps for kids, one of their members is the Director of the Delaware County Extension Program through Purdue where kids 15+ can learn the basics of sailing. “There’s nothing like the feeling of sailing when you turn a bit and suddenly see that sail flap a little. Then it fills up and the boat propels forward,” Addison says. “Even though I’ve sailed for several years, I still get that little-kid sort of feeling when an invisible energy pulls me through the water.”
The mailing address for Muncie Sailing Club is P.O. Box 390, Muncie, IN 47308. The physical address is 8331 S. 560 E., Selma, IN 47383. For more information, call 765-216-5843 or visit sail-msc.com.
Ivy Tech Community College MuncieHenry County recently partnered with Brothers 2 Brothers United, a local nonprofit dedicated to mentoring and empowering young men.
The collaboration began when Ivy+ Career Link Program Manager Corbin Black was introduced to founder Melvin Kelly. During the conversation, Kelly mentioned they needed assistance in setting up their computers and network.
That sparked an idea. Black connected Kelly to Associate Professor of Information Technology Mike Kingsley. After discovering the organization’s computer systems were outdated, Kingsley worked with the Ivy Tech IT team, Foundation, and leadership to donate computers to upgrade the organization’s resources.
Ivy Tech Information Technology student Taylor Green accepted the challenge of setting up the computers and network for Brothers 2 Brothers United, including developing a business email account so everyone could access messages.
“Being able to apply my skills in a way that directly helps the community has been an incredible experience,” he says. “It’s rewarding to know that these computers will have a new life helping young men gain access to educational and career resources.”
“With these new systems in place, we can better equip our participants with the tools
they need to succeed in today’s digital world. It will continue to allow us to engage and teach these young men in a personal, safe space,” Kelly says. “This has been a community project. Ivy Tech is one of our strongest supporters and has been with us every step of the way.”
Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County is dedicated to fostering opportunities that strengthen the local community.
To learn more about Ivy Tech MuncieHenry County, visit them online at ivytech. edu/muncie.
playbooks and encouraged him to audition for the school play, “The Outsiders.”
Shortly after graduating, Koontz began pursuing acting. He secured an agent and landed roles in several commercials, one of which featured NFL quarterback Peyton Manning.
“Peyton sent me for a long pass that he never threw,” Koontz remembers with a laugh. “It was fun, but it was double-cast, and my version got cut. Still, what an experience.”
He still appears in commercials from time to time, collaborating with Mikey Skoglund’s company, Orange Wave Media.
Later this year, Koontz will take the stage in Muncie Civic Theatre’s production of “High Fidelity.” Even more meaningful: his 20-year-old daughter, Juniper, is serving as choreographer.
“It means the world to share the creative space with her,” he says proudly. “It takes me back to being a ‘dance dad,’ driving her back and forth to dance class.”
SELLING SOLUTIONS, NOT JUST SALT
Koontz’s professional path hasn’t followed
a straight line. From 2004 to 2007, he built a successful career as a car salesman at Gaddis. He saw the opportunity to transition to Oxley through Chad Little— the nephew of owner Keith Little and son of office manager Vicky—who was also a fellow member of the Partners for Profit BNI group. Koontz joined the team and quickly found his niche.
“I like solving problems,” he says. “When someone needs better water and Oxley makes that happen, that’s a win.”
Then, in 2019, another turning point came—literally in a dream. Koontz woke up with an idea: a smart salt sensor that could alert customers via cellphone when salt levels were running low. He teamed up with chemical engineer Patrick Huth and Dustin Humm from eKeeper to launch K & H Sensor Solutions, offering peace of mind and practical innovation for water softener users.
“I surround myself with people who can do things I can’t,” Koontz says. “That’s how real solutions come together.”
REMEMBERING A FRIEND
Not all of life’s moments are joyful. In 2007, Koontz learned that one of his
friends, Ryan Berry, had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Berry died at just 37 years old. In his honor, Koontz helped create a marathon. The “Berry Long Run” became an annual community fundraiser supporting families facing lifealtering illnesses or the loss of a loved one.
“Ryan was a quiet leader, but when he spoke, people listened,” Koontz says. “He would always remind folks, ‘Strength for today… Hope for tomorrow.’”
The legacy carries on with the Ryan D. Berry Memorial Scholarship Fund.
From 2010 to 2014, Koontz participated in five runs. Although the event returned in 2015, it was held without a run. In 2016, he transitioned from organizing marathons to launching the World’s Longest Field Goal Approach.
“I would run a mile around Gaston, then kick three balls: one from 30 yards, then 25, then 20. Out of the three years, I only missed one kick.”
In 2024, Koontz teamed up with Viking Realty owner Robb Riley to raise scholarship funds through Riley’s event, Hops with Hutch.
“I’m passionate about promoting local entrepreneurs,” Koontz says. “Lathay Pegues, the owner of JohnTom’s Barbecue, is one of my favorites. He is also a musician. You can often find him hanging out at Mike Martin’s Common Market.”
MUSIC, COMMUNITY AND THE SMOKING HORSES
When he’s not solving water problems or acting, Koontz can often be found behind a microphone with his band, the Smoking Horses. The band’s drummer contacted him when they found themselves without a lead singer. Koontz auditioned and landed the role once again.
“Singing with a band is way easier than karaoke,” he laughs. “You’ve got that support behind you.”
Koontz draws inspiration from the music he grew up with—and the artists who shaped his love for storytelling through song.
“And I miss Jimmy Buffett,” he says, a nod to the late icon whose ability to connect to and read an audience was unmatched.
You can catch the Smoking Horses performing on June 21 at Acres USA,
the first annual event hosted by Jason Mauck at his farm in Gaston. The day will showcase Mauck’s unique, zero-carbonfootprint farming methods and feature food trucks, drinks, a six-hole golf course and live music at dusk.
LEGACY OF TRUST
This summer, Oxley Soft Water celebrates 69 years of service. Founded in 1956 by John Oxley, the company quickly built
a reputation for reliable service and state-of-the-art water solutions. In 1984, Don Little moved from Ohio to Muncie to purchase the business. His son, Keith Little, took over in 1996 and still owns the company today, continuing a legacy of community-first service.
For Koontz, being part of that story is more than just a job—it’s personal.
“Sixty-nine years of service in this community—it’s not just a number. It’s trust earned every single day,” he says. “I get to be a part of that.”
Whether he’s selling softeners, performing on stage or belting out music, Koontz lives each day with intention, humor and heart.
“This isn’t just about what I do,” he says. “It’s about who I get to do it with. My family, my friends and my team at Oxley. Find your people, play it until you get it right and keep the party going.”
JUNE CROSSWORD PUZZLE
ACROSS
1. Mouth roof
5. Produces (egg)
7. Ocean mammal
8. Hoarse sound
9. Invalid
10. Bake in oven
11. Opponents
13. Part of eye
14. Sloops or ketches
18. Plan
21. Horse’s gait
22. Gold lump
24. Send abroad in disgrace
25. Kitchen professional
26. Loose flesh
27. Not healthy
28. Iridescent gem
29. Fume
DOWN
1. Play the part of
2. First Greek letter
3. Washstand jugs
4. Made do
5. High-protein pulses
6. Shouting
12. Set fire to
15. Zeppelin
16. Detestable
17. Meet (requirements)
19. Australian bird
20. Significant
22. Ants’ homes
23. Social blunder
•
•
Maust’s first week was a crash course in the emotional and mental demands of critical care. She remembers a particularly tough moment with a patient who wasn’t expected to survive.
“On one of my first days, my preceptor told me, ‘This patient isn’t going to make it through the week,’” she says. “I watched as they prepared the family for what was coming, coaching them through something they weren’t ready to hear. It hit me that as nurses, we sometimes see the trajectory before the patient does. We know what’s coming, and part of our job is helping families process that reality.”
Despite the tough moments, they’ve both found immense support from their team. “Everyone has been cheering us on,” Person says. “Even on the hardest days, we have people backing us up.”
LESSONS LEARNED
In just a few weeks, both women have learned critical skills extending beyond medical procedures. For Person, the biggest lesson has been accepting that she won’t know everything right away.
“I like to be in control but on this unit, you can’t always do that,” she says. “I’ve had to be okay with asking questions, trusting my team, and taking things one step at a time.”
Maust, meanwhile, has learned the importance of advocating for her patients.
“As a brand-new nurse, it can feel like you’re at the bottom of the hierarchy, but we have a responsibility to speak up for our patients even when it’s uncomfortable,” she says.
THE FUTURE AHEAD
Both nurses are focused on becoming strong, well-rounded clinicians in the next few years.
“I want to be the kind of nurse that people are happy to see when they walk in,” Maust says. “Someone my team trusts, who can handle tough situations, and who makes a real difference for patients.”
Person is focused on growing and learning. “I plan to earn my BSN, and eventually, I’d love to become a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist). For now, I’m focused on learning everything I can and becoming the best nurse possible.”
When asked what advice they’d give to nursing students or aspiring ICU nurses, Person puts it simply: “You are capable of more than you think.”
“Just take the leap. You’ll figure it out along the way,” says Maust.
For both, nursing has already been a journey of unexpected twists, tough lessons, and rewarding moments. But one thing is clear: they’re right where they’re meant to be.
Anyone interested in applying to the nursing program at IU Health can do so by visiting careers.iuhealth.org.
REVVIN’ UP AT MUNCIE DRAGWAY
INDY PRO STREET INVASION COMES TO TOWN
Writer / Heather Collins
This summer, Muncie streets will be invaded by hot rod hybrids and radical rides.
The third annual Pro Street Invasion Extravaganza—Indy Pro Street Invasion 2025—will take place June 20–22 at Muncie Dragway. The event is hailed as the ultimate gathering for fans of big tires, blowers, wild paint jobs and loud open headers.
The event kicks off with 100 cars cruising from downtown Muncie to Cammack Station on Thursday, June 19, at 6 p.m.
Indy Pro Street Invasion showcases what organizers describe as “the baddest big tire pro street works of art on the planet, gathered at one location.”
Classes include Pro Street Gassers, Street Machine (small and big tire) and Pro Street.
This year, Pro Street Gassers are invited to “stand tall” and compete in The Gasser
Attack for the Outstanding Pro Street Gasser award.
Event promoter Terry Scrivner launched Indy Pro Street Invasion in 2022. According to Scrivner, it is the first and only exclusively pro street car show in the world. He is a seasoned pro street competitor and judge.
“This show will be known all over,” Scrivner says.
The event aims to feature notable names from the pro street competition world, including Rob Johnson and Bradley Gray. Hundreds of registered competitors from Houston; Daytona Beach, Florida; Canada; and Australia are expected to compete at Muncie Dragway.
Pro Street Gassers are known as “wheel standers” for their high stance, lifted front suspension and ability to perform wheel stands using oversized rear tires. The term “gassers” originally referred to cars that competed in the National Hot
Rod Association’s Gas Coupe and Sedan classes in the 1950s and 1960s. Pro Street refers to street-legal, imitation pro stock class race cars.
Despite the loud exhaust and big engines, Scrivner says the pro street cars are “100% street legal.”
Indy Pro Street Invasion will partner with the Madison Street Cruise on Friday, June 20.
The event features a show-and-shine, burnout contest, competitive racing and food vendors.
Competitors will park their vehicles on the top two levels of the Horizon Convention Center parking garage.
1925 PubHouse will offer a pro streetthemed menu with specialty drinks like the McLaren Mule, RPM Punch and Nitro Rush, as well as Drag Strip Fries, Revved-Up Queso, High-Octane Wings
and the Twin Turbo Burger.
During the event, Muncie Dragway will host an HSM drag racing series on Saturday, June 21, at 2 p.m.
“We’re going to have a little something for everyone,” says Muncie Dragway owner Scott Daniels. “Drag racing, car show and burnout contests. It’s family fun an eighthmile at a time.”
Doug Bolin, a competitor and event staff member, will showcase 10 of his custombuilt pro street vehicles, including a ’66 Corvette, ’68 Nova, ’69 Camaro and ’87 Monte Carlo.
Bolin says he built his vehicles to reflect
the 1980s era of street racing. He notes that competitors often invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into customizing their pro street cars.
“Just trying to get that ohh-and-ahh factor,” Bolin says.
According to Scrivner, the average age of pro street competitors is 51. Bolin hopes the event inspires the next generation of pro street racers and junior dragsters.
“It ain’t the miles per gallon, it’s the smiles per gallon,” Bolin says.
NIGHT OF FIRE RETURNS
On July 26, Muncie Dragway will host its signature annual event: Night of Fire. The
event includes a hellfire jet truck, four jet cars, the world’s fastest jet semi, a wheelstanding school bus and Nostalgia Super Stock cars.
“This is our granddaddy event,” Daniels says.
Night of Fire gates open at 8 a.m., with T-Trial at 10 a.m. followed by racing. Tickets are $20 in advance at Sam Pierce Chevrolet or $25 at the gate. Children 11 and younger are $5.
INDY PRO STREET INVASION SCHEDULE
Tickets are available at the gate only:
• Friday, June 20:** 9 a.m.–8 p.m. | $15 | Children 11 and younger free
• Saturday, June 21:** 9 a.m.–8 p.m. | $20 | Children 11 and younger free
• Sunday, June 22:** 9 a.m.–3 p.m. | No entry fee or track activities. Awards ceremony only.
For more information, visit prostreetinvasion.com. The Muncie Dragway is located at 7901 IN-28 in Albany, IN. More information is available at munciedragway.com or call 765-789-8470.
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“Rare Bird Alert” (2012), “Love Has Come for You” (2013) with Edie Brickell, and “The Long-Awaited Album” (2017).
“It’s amazing working with Steve after all these years,” says singer-songwriter and banjo player Graham Sharp. “In a lot of ways, he was the seventh member of the band.”
The Rangers’ solo album “Nobody Knows You” won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2013. Sharp released a solo album, “How Do We Do It,” in April.
He says audiences can expect a wideranging and dynamic live performance.
The band will return to Indiana on Oct. 25 to perform with Steve Martin and Martin Short in “The Dukes of Funnytown!” at Old National Centre in Indianapolis.
Latin Grammy Award winner and Grammynominated Afro-Peruvian Jazz Orchestra will perform Sept. 20 at the Brown Family Amphitheater. Co-founder and saxophonist Anibal Seminario describes the 20-piece ensemble’s sound as a unique fusion of jazz with traditional Afro-Peruvian music.
“We’re very energetic. There’s a deep meaning to our music,” Seminario says. “We believe in the talent that comes from Peru.”
Their shows include singing, dancing and presentations of Lando, Festejo, Marinera and Zamacueca rhythms. The Ball State University Jazz Ensemble will open the show.
Vanessa Collier, 2024 Blues Music Award “Horn Player of the Year” winner, will perform Aug. 23 at the amphitheater, with The Fierce as the opening act.
“An essential purpose of our Brown Family Amphitheater is to strengthen the bond between the university and Muncie community,” says Seth Beckman, dean of the Ball State College of Fine Arts. “This series and partnership is a powerful example of vision in action.”
Beckman adds that the amphitheater, opened in 2023, was made possible through gifts from Charles W. Brown and Dr. Louise Tetrick. The venue was designed to inspire creativity, foster innovation and build community connections.
“This series is a wonderful example of what makes life here in Muncie so special,” Beckman says. “Music and people— coming together as a unified community.”
Longtime sponsor The Downtown Farm Stand supports the series by catering for performers and vending at events with organic, local and sustainable menu options.
The series also promotes Muncie’s three trail systems: White River Greenway, Cardinal Greenway and Muncie Arts & Culture Trail.
All concerts begin at 7 p.m. and feature an opening act from Indiana. The series is free, all-ages and open seating. Lawn chairs are welcome.
2025 MUNCIE THREE TRAILS MUSIC SERIES SCHEDULE
June 13: Harlem Gospel Travelers | Opener: Doc and the Little Chicago Band | Canan Commons
Aug. 16: Blue Moon Marquee | Opener: Lonesome with Company | Canan Commons
Aug. 23: Vanessa Collier | Opener: The Fierce | Brown Family Amphitheater
Aug. 30: Jennie DeVoe | Opener: Cory Hill | Canan Commons
Sept. 6: Colby T. Helms & the Virginia Creepers | Opener: Stampede String Band | Brown Family Amphitheater
Sept. 20: Afro-Peruvian Jazz Orchestra | Opener: Ball State University Jazz Ensemble | Brown Family Amphitheater
RAIN VENUES
Canan Commons concerts will move to Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Brown Family Amphitheater concerts will move to Pruis Hall.
LOCATIONS
Canan Commons: 600 S. Walnut St., downtown Muncie
Brown Family Amphitheater: Between Park Hall and Pruis Hall, Ball State University campus
The Muncie Three Trails Music Series is privately funded. Sponsors for the 2025 series include Ball State University, Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, Ball Brothers Foundation, George and Frances Ball Foundation, and the Sherman and Marjorie Ziegler Foundation.
For more information, visit munciethreetrails.com.
FOCUS ON FUTURE
TEENWORKS IS ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY, COLLEGE AND CAREER
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
It’s tough to be a teen, but even tougher when coming from an underrepresented, underserved population. In 1981, Indiana philanthropist Gene B. Glick wanted to start a program that would provide teenagers with a summer job to help teach them the importance of self-discipline, a good work ethic, and giving back to the community. His idea blossomed over time to become TeenWorks, a 501(c)(3) organization that empowers teens to discover a new level of self-confidence by developing problem solving and networking skills to ultimately achieve professional success.
When TeenWorks originally launched in
Indianapolis, it partnered with golf courses in the Indy area to help young people get their first work experience. Over time the program expanded into three more Indiana cities: Muncie, Fort Wayne and Anderson. TeenWorks now includes the Summer, Pro and Alumni programs.
The Summer program is a six-week learning experience that involves grouping young people into teams of 10 or 12 and assigning them a supervisor who is skilled in youth development. Participants get paid as they work on a nonprofit project within their own community. They also learn professional development skills and resume building so
they can better work within their team.
“We remove the barriers that those younger underrepresented, underserved populations tend to struggle with,” says Nick Duvall, CEO of TeenWorks. “This includes transportation, food and work experience.”
TeenWorks’ Pro program is a year-round, cohort-based model that allows teens to further develop their professional skills through entry-level work and, later, more sophisticated jobs, internships and apprenticeships. Students are assigned a professional counselor (called “professional managers”) to create a postsecondary success
plan for the student’s journey through high school. This success plan may include academic counseling and coaching, workbased and career-based skill building, and other opportunities that traditionally wouldn’t be open to young people in these populations.
“When we’re talking about this younger underrepresented, underserved population, those individuals who have experience working with this population tend to be few and far between,” Duvall says. “Therefore, having these professional managers helping students along the way continues to remove barriers at several levels.”
By the time they reach their senior year, these students are ready to take on the next challenge of young adulthood, whether that’s directly entering the workforce, attending a four-year college or university, or pursuing a skilled trades/certification program.
The Alumni program picks up where the Pro program leaves off, as it provides ongoing support to young adults (ages 18 to 22) completing their next stage of education or career. For those students who want to attend a university or college, TeenWorks continues to help remove barriers, whether that be through tuition assistance or a scholarship fund. They also navigate challenges that firstgeneration college students often face such as questions about what campus life entails, how to create their schedule or how to go about book reimbursement.
“Our hope is to see students through the completion of that degree or certification
program,” Duvall says.
Alicia Van Dyn entered the TeenWorks Summer program as a student at Muncie Central High School. She did that for several summers before progressing to the Pro program. She achieved impressive academic growth within the program and went on to get a scholarship to study at Ball State University. While there, she became a summer site supervisor to help a team of students progress through their Summer program. Now she’s in graduate school studying psychology, and is part of TeenWorks at BSU.
“Alicia not only took advantage of the opportunity that was given to her, but also then took the initiative to find opportunities to help other young people progress through the program,” Duvall says. “That’s pretty remarkable for someone in their 20s.”
Duvall notes how rewarding it is to witness the incredible transformation in a young person through the various TeenWorks programs over the course of several years.
“It’s almost not the same person by the end as they mature, develop skills and build a close relationship with their professional manager,” Duvall says. “The outcomes are remarkable.”
Often those professional managers form lasting relationships with the teens and stay in touch even after graduation or completion of a TeenWorks program, because that bond is so deep.
“When you’re talking about this vulnerable
population, having that trusted individual that you consistently see on a regular basis is huge,” Duvall says. “They become a person the teen relies on, and continues to share their celebrations and triumphs.”
TeenWorks is all about work-based learning, and exploring career pathways and options for life after high school.
“There’s no better way to do that than through a mix of real-life experiences, thoughtprovoking discussions with a trusted mentor, purposeful learning in a classroom, and interactions with community professionals,” Duvall says.
TeenWorks is located at 801 North Walnut Street in Muncie. For more information, contact Isaiah York, program manager, at 765351-1482 or visit teenworks.org.
