Chew

Continued from D4

“Lucy must never sleep. Not only does she teach full-time and help run two businesses in Terre Haute, but also her charitable work and work for community engagement is incredibly commendable,” wrote Robin Voll.

Through Studio 12, Chew and her husband have organized community events such as the 12 Points July 4 Celebration; given out free Thanksgiving meals for the community; and thrown a holiday party for the community at Garfield Towers.

The holiday party included a distribution of winter wear and toys collected by the Daisy Girl Scout troop Chew leads and also donated by patrons of Studio 12.

“Lucy is one of the most tirelessly compassionate people I’ve ever met. Her work has always been about helping others and setting a good example,” Voll said.

According to Chew, “I believe what you put into the world comes back to you. The more that you are patient, empathetic and understanding and give back to the community, then that’s what you receive from people as well.”

■ Co-owner of Studio 12 with her husband Eric Handlin; co-owner of Montessori Academy of Terre Haute; and a senior instructor at ISU.

■ Graduated West Vigo High School in 2002 and has a bachelor’s from ISU and a master’s in literature from Indiana University.

■ Through Studio 12, Chew and her husband have organized community events such as the 12 Points July 4 Celebration; given out free Thanksgiving meals for the community; and thrown a holiday party for the community at Garfield Towers.

She’s faced hardships and losses in her life, but overcomes obstacles by staying focused on longterm goals and family. Everything is pretty much temporary, she said. When things get too hard, she focuses on the “right there and now.”

Among those hardships, her family was homeless for awhile when she was very young. Throughout her childhood, her family was impoverished.

In the past decade, she has lost both her mother and brother, and their memory also keeps her going.

“If my brother were here, he would be so proud. I know he’d be in there [Studio 12] drinking coffee all the time,” she said. “I just kind of picture him there with me, running the shop.”

Her mom’s dream was to open a Montessori