The Southsider Voice - Top Stories

(SUBMITTED PHOTOS) Southport High School senior Madelyn Knight, right, receives the 2019 IHSPA journalist of the year award from IHSPA president April Moss.

(SUBMITTED PHOTO) Greenwood High School senior Haley Pritchett, president of the IHSPA’s student board, addresses the organization’s annual First Amendment Symposium.

By Al Stilley
Editor

The status of high school journalism on the Southside is in exceptionally talented hands. For the second straight year, a Southport High School student is the Indiana High School Press Association’s journalism student of the year. Madelyn Knight received the honor recently and accepted the $1,000 scholarship that accompanies the award.

Knight was one of five Southside high school students who were honored at the IHSPA’s First Amendment Symposium earlier this month at the Indiana Statehouse. Last year Andrew Tapp, a student activist for freedom of high school press among state legislators, was the recipient of the award.

“Getting the award was kind of surreal; I kind of blanked out,” Knight recalled. “It made me realize all the hard work I had put into journalism was worth it.”

This is a high honor for Southport High School to have two consecutive journalist-ofthe-year recipients. Knight’s specialties were in social media and page design for publications.

“It’s kind of crazy because Drew was awesome and won the award last year. I kept thinking I had no chance because they won’t pick a student from the same high school two years in a row,” She is deep into social media and is a teen fact-checker for Media Wise, a Google news initiative that helps high school and middle school students understand what they are reading online is real or not.

“Social media plays a big role; there’s no stopping it,” Knight observed. “I think the best approach we can take is to educate teens to know how to fact-check and to know what is fact or fiction."

Knight has added to the quality of high school’s news magazine, the Journal, and online Journal Rewind. Mike Klopfenstein is the SHS journalism teacher and advisor. Knight’s interest in media began as a photographer. She is a four-year journalism student who has many interests. She is a member of the Honor Society, school leadership group and student mediator, international thespians and student board of a state association for German language.

She is the daughter of Robert and Ingrid Knight and is the youngest of five children. Knight becomes eligible for national honors and a $3,000 scholarship in late April. Southport High School journalism student Russell Peterson Womack was awarded first place in sports journalism with schoolmate Logan Zrebiec second place.

Greenwood High School’s Anna Lowe earned second place in First Amendment design with schoolmate Hannah Heilman among three state essay award winners. IHSPA student board president Haley Pritchett was among four finalists for state journalist of the year and was a featured speaker.

“Journalists have one of the most important, yet underrated jobs in the world, “Pritchett stated. “Journalism gives people a platform, it saves lives and it keeps our country held accountable. Media is not bad; the majority of journalists are not liars and our craft will never die out.”

Southport student Haley Miller, a student board at-large member, also spoke: “Journalism granted us a special gift that not many professions can claim. We are entrusted with serious responsibility, with an essential mission: to recognize the ordinary people. As student journalists, we have the chance to illuminate their stories and truly make an impact.”

IHSPA Hoosier Star yearbook finalists include Roncalli’s Reveille in division II and Center Grove’s Trojan division III with the yearbook awards to be announced in October.

Southport’s Russell Peterson-Womack, right, and Logan Zrebiec placed first and second respectively in sports journalism awards.

Kevin Waggoner

By Al Stilley
Editor

Perry Meridian High School junior Kevin Waggoner will improve a sensory room for special needs children at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School for his Eagle Scout project. Waggoner has exceeded the goal of $3,000 in initial funds for the improvements that will be built in an existing room at the school this summer. Waggoner gained inspiration for his project from the late Luca Joseph Berger, a 13-year-old cousin who died Aug 15, 2015, a special needs child. He attended the Rise Learning Center.

“He is my inspiration for this,” Waggoner said. “I wanted to do something for special needs kids. At first, I thought of an outdoor playground, but the cost was through the roof. “I realized that there was a lack of resources for special needs kids, so the room (sensory) is what they really need. They will be able to use it every day. It will be a great improvement.”

Waggoner did the initial research on a sensory room and approached the school’s occupational therapist Brooke McDonald, principal John Sponsel and Perry Township schools superintendent Pat Mapes.

The project also met the criteria of the Eagle Scout program of giving back to the community and showing leadership skills. Waggoner is a member of Troop 183 under scoutmaster Robert Bruce. The troop meets at Friedens United Church of Christ, 8300 S. Meridian St. With valuable input from McDonald, the room began to take shape with pencil and paper. The $3,000-plus already raised pays for new bookshelves, paint for the room, sensory wall panels, interactive lighting, sensory equipment, light tables and more items.

“They need a room that appeals to all their senses,” said Waggoner who has been a scout since 1st grade. “Part of the room will have a wall panel with items that the kids can see and touch.”

The sensory room attempts to utilize the children’s ability to interact with others, develop organizational skills and stimulate their senses in ways that are not possible in a traditional classroom. The PMHS student also plays trumpet in the jazz band and is active in Best Buddies. He is a defender on the Falcons’ lacrosse team and ran cross-country. He wants to seek an appointment to the US. Naval Academy and study law.

However, his love for scouting helps set the table for the future. He has taken part in many campouts and has gone whitewater rafting in West Virginia and twice to a rocket camp where scouts build and fire rockets.

“The skills I have learned in scouting can be applied to the rest of my life,” he emphasized. “I am refining my leadership skills and am experiencing a high level of responsibility and accountability.” He is the son of Jill and Kevin Waggoner Sr.

Items needed for sensory wall

During conversations with Kevin Waggoner, he pointed out that he needs different types of locks that can be attached to a sensory wall being built as part of his Eagle Scout project at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School.

“The kids need items that they can touch and feel,” Waggoner said.

He is specifically requesting donations of old door knobs, bolt locks or locks with chains (no padlocks, please.) Those items can be mailed to: Kevin Waggoner, 7908 Hoop Road, Indianapolis, IN 46217. Also, monetary donations still can be made through “GoFundMe” by following instructions to Waggoner’s project or by mailing donations to his home address.

BGHS’ Leak and FCHS’ Miller to receive Cato scholarships

(SUBMITTED PHOTO) Cato scholarship winner Emily Leak, second from right, is at Beech Grove High School’s swim team senior night with sister Erika and parents Jeff and Val Leak.

(SUBMITTED PHOTO) Franklin Central’s Elise Miller, a three-sport student-athlete, is among 13 statewide seniors who are this year’s recipients of Eugene B. Cato memorial scholarships.

Emily Leak of Beech Grove High School and Elise Miller of Franklin Central High School are among 13 senior student-athletes who will receive C. Eugene Cato Memorial scholarship awards next month. The awards, announced by the Indiana High School Athletic Association, honor seniors for being role models and demonstrating excellence in academics, school and community involvement and character, sportsmanship and citizenship.

Each senior will receive a $2,500 scholarship and be recognized May 10 at the Crane Bay event center in downtown Indianapolis as part of the Thomas A. Brady sports achievement awards established by Methodist Sports Medicine.

Leak was involved with the high school’s student leadership team that promoted Beech Grove’s Riley Children’s Hospital dance marathon and Special Olympics through Champions Together. She also helped organize a blood draw at BGHS. She also serves as president of BGHS’ senior class, student leadership team, National Honors Society and Spanish Honor Society.

Leak has lettered 10 times by playing volleyball for two years, swimming for four years and track and field for four years. She has a 3.987 GPA.

Miller is Franklin Central High School’s senior class treasurer, a four-year member and president of the Key Club. She has also been the active president in her school’s thirst project for the past two years and is a member of the National Honors Society.

Athletically, Miller has received four varsity letters in swimming, two in cross-country and one in unified track and field. She plays trumpet in the high school’s most advanced concert band. Miller ranks 15th in her class of 604 students with a 4.315 GPA.

The memorial scholarship awards are sponsored by Methodist Sports Medicine, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Fever, Indiana Pacers, Sport Graphics, Inc., and WTHR‐13 in partnership with the IHSAA and IHSAA Foundation.

The scholarship program is named in tribute to the late IHSAA commissioner C. Eugene Cato who led the IHSAA from 1983 to 1995 and served as assistant commissioner from 1976 to 1983.

By Kelly Sawyers
Publisher

Life is a precious gift. My gift from God was a caring and loving man named Brett Matthew Sawyers who came into my life in 2008. At that time, he was my son Austin’s boss at Wheeler Mission; but once I met Brett, I felt a connection that was unexplainable. I called him one day and asked him if he would be interested in going to church with me; so, our first date was at The Vineyard Community Church in Greenwood and dinner at El Azabache in Southern Plaza.

We started dating more frequently and in June 2009, he asked me to marry him on his birthday, Dec. 12, 2009.

He completed our family. He loved being my husband, watching the Colts, having pool parties and working on our many home décor projects. He was proud of our home and loved entertaining family and friends. Most of all, he loved being a dad, son, brother, uncle, cousin, neighbor and friend; but most of all being “pop pop” to our grandson, AJ. He loved being with family, singing, traveling and just having a good time. His main job was at Lowe’s in Greenwood, and his other job was being a team player with The Voice.

He also enjoyed being a host at our Car Nutz cruise-ins. We embraced life and love together. We were true soul mates – never fighting; always striving, working and loving together. He always said, “I don’t care what we do as long as I’m with you. ”On Sunday, April 7, my sweet husband, only 55 years old, suffered a fatal heart attack before heading to church.

With tears, I said “goodbye” to him for the last time that morning. Yes, I have questions: How do I move on? Why him? This wasn’t part of our plan. For now, there is pain and loneliness. However, I trust my faith because I can thank God for the 10 wonderful and loving years that Brett and I enjoyed together

SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY NATHAN PACE Senior Austin Hendricks will play club volleyball for Purdue next season.

Junior Josh Byrne prepares to launch a serve in practice.

Roncalli junior Nathan Marshall and the Rebels are in good position to defend their 2018 state title.

Senior Zach Straumins works on his serve in practice.

By Nathan Pace
Online Editor

Thanks to a state championship in 2018, boys’ volleyball is growing at Roncalli High School and throughout the Southside.

Roncalli coach John Kesterson is noticing an upswing in interest of the sport at RHS, particularly because the Rebels are the defending state champions.

“It’s the second fastest sport in the United States as far as growth for boys and it’s the fastest for indoor sports,” Kesterson said. “Most of these boys, they travel. They play year-round. They really dedicate their lives to this sport.”

Franklin Central picked up a boys’ volleyball club team this season joining Roncalli, Perry Meridian and Southport that had programs previously. Center Grove won a state championship in 2008; coupled with Roncalli’s state title, the sport is at a new peak locally.

“I’ve wanted to come to Roncalli and play volleyball for the Rebels as long as I’ve been playing,” senior setter Sam Eiland said.

“To come here and win it its first state championship; I mean that’s a dream come true. I’m really excited about the direction it’s going in. Even this year, schools have been adding it on the high school level. Colleges are picking it up left and right – really excited to see it becoming more prominent.”

Roncalli’s team was relatively undersized last season but rolled to a 29-3 record. The Rebels took out the Irish of Cathedral in the finale, 3-1 (25-15, 23-25, 25-20, 25-22). The achievement exemplified how the team had grown.

“The program has grown a lot more in sophistication,” senior libero Austin Hendricks said. “Being known as a really good program. I think every boy that’s on varsity this year played club. Any other high school in this state, you won’t find that.”

Roncalli has a had great start this season by going 8-2 in its first 10 head-to-head matches. The team stands as the final squad to finish a full season in the school’s “Woodshed” gymnasium as the Rebels move their indoor sports teams to a new gym next year.

“We love this, it’s a huge homecourt advantage due to the low ceiling,” Kesterson said. “You have to be a great passing team to have success in here. So, we will schedule a few games in here just for fun,” Kesterson said.

Boys’ volleyball is not an official sport in the IHSAA; the schools only compete on the club level. Kesterson and his players hope a growing popularity could change that, which is why rival schools support one another in the sport.

“We have to support each other because we are technically a club program,” Kesterson said. “We want this to be a sanctioned sport as it should be because it’s a very exciting game,” Kesterson concluded.

Roncalli’s next home game is April 24 against Franklin as postseason play is less than a month away.

Senior Sam Eiland, middle, will play college volleyball at St. Xavier.

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY AL STILLEY) Betty Howell and Dan Fitzpatrick were married April 6 at Greenwood Meadows nursing home and senior living with family and friends in attendance.

By Al Stilley
Editor

Great-granddaughters Rosalee and Eleanor Eickman walked side-by-side gleefully throwing flower petals on the aisle.

Great-grandson Knox Eickman carried a wedding ring on an all-white pillow.

Groom Dan Fitzpatrick, 71, watched with great anticipation of a magical moment in his life.

Soon, his bride, Betty Howell was wheeled down the aisle in front of family and photographers in a small room at Greenwood Meadows nursing home and senior living facility. She held a bouquet of white roses and wore a white lace dress with a strand of pearls.

They tenderly exchanged vows tenderly in front of her grandson Jim Eickman who officiated over the proceedings April 6 in a room transformed into a wedding chapel.

Lovingly looking at each other, Howell quietly said, “I’ve loved you for so long.”

Howell has one daughter, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Fitzpatrick has one son and one daughter.

They met five years ago, shortly after she moved into the American Senior Communities facility near County Line Road and State Road 135 in Greenwood. Eventually they went to the Greenwood Meadows prom together, meeting and talking when they could. They occasionally dined on Tuesdays for a free community lunch at Greenwood United Methodist Church. And they went together on various short trips with other residents and staff.

Dan recalled that a few months ago, she proposed to him. He replied two weeks later, pointing out that this would be his first marriage.

“I finally proposed to her,” Fitzpatrick said. “She said, ‘Yes’.”

Then he laughed, “So I guess that makes this a no-fault marriage.”

Howell’s daughter, Paige Sevigny ,served as bridesmaid and his brother, Bud Fitzpatrick, served as best man.

The couple shared wedding cake with their families immediately after the ceremony with several interruptions by well-wishers and photographers.

The ceremony touched off a busy week for the new Mr. an Mrs. Fitzpatrick.

They returned to the church for Tuesday lunch and were seated at a special table with their wedding photo, flowers and green tablecloth. They were greeted admiringly by servers and friends at lunch. The next day, Greenwood Meadows residents shared in a special reception for the newlyweds on Howell’s 80th birthday.

“It’s a wedding made in heaven,” Fitzpatrick confided afterward replied two weeks later, pointing out that this would be his first marriage.

“I finally proposed to her,” Fitzpatrick said. “She said, ‘Yes’.”
Then he laughed, “So I guess that makes this a no-fault marriage.”
Howell’s daughter, Paige Sevigny, served as bridesmaid and his brother, Bud Fitzpatrick, served as best man.

The couple shared wedding cake with their families immediately after the ceremony with several interruptions by well-wishers and photographers.

The ceremony touched off a busy week for the new Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick.

They returned to the church for Tuesday lunch and were seated at a special table with their wedding photo, flowers and green tablecloth. They were greeted admiringly by servers and friends at lunch. The next day, Greenwood Meadows residents shared in a special reception for the newlyweds on Howell’s 80th birthday.

“It’s a wedding made in heaven,” Fitzpatrick confided afterward.

(SUBMITTED PHOTO) Southport’s Robin Miller, left, with American Basketball Association greats, from left, George McGinnis, Bob Netolicky and Bobby “Slick” Leonard.

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY AL STILLEY) Robin Miller continues his passion for motorsports coverage for Racer magazine and NBC- Sports cable network.

By Al Stilley
Editor

When Southport High School’s Robin Miller, and Center Grove High School’s Bill Benner began working as teenagers in the sports department at The Indianapolis Star, they didn’t like each other.

The dislike was based on the rival high schools that each sports department employee attended. They started out by answering the night telephone when callers, including bookies and bettors, would seek scores of games. Then it was the quickest way to find out if a favorite team won and, most importantly, by how many points.

Fifty years ago, you likely talked to Miller, a self-described Ball State “flunky,” or Benner, who later would become an executive of Pacers Sports & Entertainment and is the director of the Pacers Foundation.

They became such quick friends that Miller was the “best man” at Benner’s wedding.

“He (Miller) was brash, cocky and full of himself,” Benner recalled of those early newspaper days. “He had an insatiable work ethic and he could talk himself into and out of anything.”

They didn’t stay on the sports phone line for long; Miller, 19, began covering the Pacers of the American Basketball Association and Benner began covering other sports.

Earlier this month, Benner affectionately called his former sports department mate as “irascible” and “irreverent.”

The occasion was the 24th annual Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association hall of fame induction ceremony. Benner appropriately introduced Miller, who spoke to ISSA members and guests via video hookup from Birmingham, Ala., site of an NTT IndyCar Series road course race.

With no swearing, Miller waxed emotionally about his newspaper years and his forced move to motorsports magazines and broadcasts, his years covering the Pacers, his gambling debts, and his passion for motorsports that began as a “stooge” for the crew of driver Jim Hurtubise to his war of words with Tony George.

None other than Pacer coach Bobby Leonard taught Miller to read a racing form and that a certain four-letter obscenity could be an adjective, noun or verb.

To say that Miller became of age while covering the Pacers at the Indiana fairgrounds coliseum and on the road would be an understatement.

He recalled that Ray Marquette, also a Southport High School alum, got him that first job with The Star in 1969. Sportswriters John Bansch and Cy McBride took him under their typewriters.

Miller admitted that he made sports “books” for bettors for six months at The Star. He talked about those days, “the golden years of journalism,” when The Star published five different editions daily with “two or three writers who were drunk by 8 o’clock.”

His years covering the Pacers were filled with color and adventure and led to authoring “We Changed the Game 1967-1976,” with beloved star Bob “Neto’ Netolicky and the late team attorney Richard Tinkham who died at age 86 in October 2018. The book supports the Dropping Dimes Foundation that seeks funds for the well-being of former ABA players, especially those who were disadvantaged with the merger into the National Basketball Association.

Miller writes for Racer magazine and is a motorsports analyst for NBCSports cable network. Locally he and fellow author-Southsider Rick Shafer can be seen watching area high school athletic events. And Miller’s recent bout with cancer is in remission.

“I doubt if anyone has had a better life than I have had,” Miller said on the video.

Miller is part of the 2019 class of six inductees into the ISSA Hall of Fame that has honored 124 inductees. ISSA was founded in 1946. The annual awards dinner was held April 7 at Valle Vista Golf Club in Greenwood.

(SUBMITTED PHOTO) Book cover of the wild ABA days of the Indiana Pacers and authored by Robin Miller, Bob Netolicky and Richard Tinkham.

Chasing the championship in Detroit

(SUBMITTED PHOTO) Cyber Blue 234 team members, from left, junior Lilly Egan, senior Ben Fair and junior Hannah Justice compete in a late-round match on its way to winning the Indiana FIRST state championship Saturday in Kokomo.

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY AL STILLEY) Team members, from left, junior Lilly Egan and seniors Ryan Herrington, Dean Schmidt and Emmet Sullivan check data at Perry Meridian High School. Cyber Blue 234 competes in the world championships this week in Detroit.

By Al Stilley
Editor

Perry Meridian High School’s state championship team – Cyber Blue 234 – chases the 2019 FIRST robotics world championship today through Saturday at the Cobo Center in Detroit.

The 35-member team emerged as FIRST Indiana champions last weekend from among 32 teams in the two-day meet in Kokomo.

The PMHS team goes to Detroit among 11 teams from Indiana, including No. 2-ranked TechHounds from Carmel High School. More than 800 teams are in the world meet. Cyber Blue is in its 21st year and consistently has advanced beyond state competition.

Teams must reach out for funding and supplies and volunteer professional engineers that Cyber Blue utilizes from Rolls Royce and Allison. Cyber Blue’s faculty advisor is PMHS teacher Shana Schreiner.

Cyber Blue has competed in multiple preliminary and double-elimination rounds with six and three teams competing at a time against each other In Indiana FiRST ((For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).

Students work alongside professional engineers; build and compete with a robot of their own design; and develop design, project management, programming, teamwork, and strategic thinking skills.

This season’s competition is “Destination: Deep Space.” Worldwide, each team was to build a remote-control robot that could gather cargo and place in a mock spaceship for storage before a sandstorm would leave the rocket stranded on a planet.

The competition rightfully is called “The Super Bowl of Smarts.”

During a roundtable discussion Friday at PMHS, four integral Cyber Blue members talked about their experiences.

Junior Lilly Egan is on the manufacturing and assembly sub-team this year.

“This has helped me work and communicate with others because I was really shy before high school,” Egan said. “I have wanted to go into engineering, and this will help me narrow down a field.”

Senior Ryan Herrington is the team’s lead programmer. He will study intelligence systems engineering in the fall at Indiana University.

He praised the team’s adaptability, particularly replacing two burnt motors in the state meet.

“The drive team and pit workers combined their efforts; it was a mad dash,” Herrington said. “When something breaks, it is a tighter time squeeze to get everything ready for the next match.”

Senior Dean Schmidt also will study at Purdue. He is Cyber Blue’s lead designer and has broadened his appreciation of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

“When I started high school, math was something that I thought I would only use on occasion,” Schmidt said. “I have learned how important math and physics are to be able to design such a complex system. “

Senior Emmet Sullivan also began with robotics in middle school and has continued through high school. He plans to study computer engineering at Purdue. He is the strategy and scouting captain for Cyber Blue.
“One of the duties is to design a software system that our experienced and less experienced team members can utilize for two days and understand what they are doing.”

His emphasis changed from designing a robot that could score the most points to being able to defend against other robots on the field and still score points to advance.

Cyber Blue teammates also have taken robotics to younger students at Meridian Middle School and 4th- and 5th-grade students at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School.

“These students are awesome; they really work well together,” faculty advisor Schreiner said. “Gracious professionalism is the hallmark of what we do.”
Info: cyberblue234.com or indianafirst.org.

Neal Puckett

Leah Enterline

A famous alumnus, a distinguished teacher and 69 seniors will be honored at the Southport High School Alumni Association banquet Monday evening in the historic Southport Fieldhouse.

The organization will award a combined $74,000 in scholarships to the seniors.

Neal Puckett, Class of 1973, will be honored as the alumnus of the year, and physical education instructor Leah Enterline will be honored as teacher of the year.

Puckett is a member of the Office of Military Commissions for the U.S. Department of Defense. After graduating from Southport, he attended Indiana University, earning a B.A. in Psychology and Speech Communication in 1977.

He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and served as an intelligence and counterintelligence officer. He received his law degree from IU in 1984 and his Master of Laws degree from San Diego School of Law in 1989. He has served as a military attorney and a military trial judge during his service to the nation. He also was the officer in charge of Legal Services Support Section in Okinawa, Japan.

After retirement from the Marine Corps, Puckett worked as an assistant federal public defender in Pensacola, Fla. In 1999, he founded a law firm specializing in criminal defense law in Virginia. At present, he and his wife, retired Air Force Colonel Marcelyn Atwood, reside in Alexandria, Va.

Enterline is a Mooresville native and experienced physical education teacher with 11 years at Southport High School. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University with a major in physical education in 2008. Aside from teaching Physical Education 1 and Adapted Physical Education, she also serves as a mentor teacher on the Instructional Leadership Team at SHS.

She is regarded as an accomplished educator who cares deeply about student success and excels at motivating and inspiring students to be the best version of themselves. She is very passionate about health and wellness and aspires to share that with others. Outside of the classroom, Enterline enjoys working out and spending time with her niece, Karsyn, and nephews, Hudson, Baylon and Kai.

(SUBMITTED PHOTOS) Southport High School senior Hannah Garrett, right, is part of a division championship quartet, from left, Cheyanne Lowery, Addison Schmidt and Mattie Hyde, each Lynwood, Ill., that will compete in artistic roller-skating events in the world championships in Spain.

Southport’s Hannah Garrett, left, helps lift Addison Schmidt during division winning performance in Lynwood, Ill.

By Al Stilley
Editor

Southport High School senior Hannah Garrett began roller skating competitively when she was only four years old.

She never has competed overseas; however, that opportunity presents itself for the first time this summer in the World Roller Games in Barcelona, Spain.

With her longtime training on a well-known skating rink in Lynwood, Ill., Garrett and three Illinois skaters will compete as a quartet in artistic roller-skating July 13 in Spain. They are members of the 36-member USA World Figure team.

“I’m not sure yet how many other teams we will face,” she said. “I’m hoping we will do well.”

The quartet, “Bollywood Beauties,” qualified for the world meet in a Great Lakes district meet on their home rink in the village south of Chicago.

Garrett has finished fourth in solo in nationals sanctioned by USA Roller Sports (USARS); the same organization that sanctions figure skating, roller derbies and speed skating.

Their routine and their colorful costumes show the passion and love of India. Two routines are tricky, one where three girls form a rolling pyramid and a solo skater comes from behind and underneath them.

The Southport student began skating as a young girl at Wheels of Wonder on the Southside and at the historic Melody skating rink on the eastside.

Members of the quartet from Lynwood, Ill., include Cheyanne Lowery, Addison Schmidt and Mattie Hyde. Their outfits range in color from purple, yellow, blue and red.

They expect to arrive a few days ahead for practice and some sight-seeing. The Southport skater expects to return from Spain just in time to compete solo in the USARS nationals in Washington.

This is the first year that artistic qualifications were held during Easter weekend instead of fall to accommodate school-aged skaters. She practiced in Lynwood on Wednesday nights and Saturday and Sunday mornings, being driven round-trip by her parents or driving herself.

Her father, Rick Garrett, was a world-class skater and is one of her coaches. Her main coaches are John Peck and his daughter, Rachel Schrum, who co-owns Lynwood Roller Rink.

“He (her father) is the reason I’m in skating, and he’s still active in some meets but doesn’t do the jumps or the spins,” she said.

Peck put the senior quartet together for the synchronized skating.

‘In artistic roller skating, we have the same jumps as ice skating and we are judged the same way,” she said. “We are judged on degree of difficulty of lifts and spins, footwork, presentation and artistic ability.”

They have practiced together since 2018.

“I am anxious to see the international skaters and see how they compete,” she said. “I want to see how other countries do this type of skating.”

During the interview at Southport High School, Garrett hinted at retiring after competing in Spain. She plans on majoring in interior design at Ball State University.

Roller skating has made me figure out how to manage my time,” she said. “I love to hang out with my friends, so I know how to handle that, time-wise. I’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices. I grew up being shy, but by skating in front of thousands of spectators brought me out of my shell.”

She played basketball in middle school and through her sophomore year in high school when roller skating competition became more serious. She is features editor of The Journal, the high school’s news magazine.

She is the daughter of Rick and Mindy Garrett. She has an older brother, Matthew, who is a junior at IUPUI
(Editor’s Note: Hannah Garrett seeks funds on GoFundMe to help finance her trip to Barcelona and represent the USA. The link to donate funds is: https://www.gofundme.com/help-hannah-represent-the-us-in-the-world-skate.)

(submitted photo) Southport’s Hannah Garrett, right, performs in artistic roller skating with, from left, Cheyanne Lowery, Mattie Hyde and Addison Schmidt of Illinois at division competition in Lynwood, Ill.

By Nathan PaceOnline EditorThousands of dollars were raised for Fletcher Place Community Center as part of the 10th annual Culinary Collage Take a Bite out Poverty event at UIndy. The event featured live and silent auctions as well as food vendors. View photos from the event below. (function(jQuery) {function init() { window.wSlideshow && window.wSlideshow.render({elementID:"817856112288135546",nav:"thumbnails",navLocation:"bottom",captionLocation:"bottom",transition:"fade",autoplay:"1", [...]

A chance meeting results in colorful wall mural

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY NATHAN PACE)

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY AL STILLEY) Artist Henry Lipkis shows color sketch of rural Indiana as his guide to painting mural on two walls of building with Beck Service Center as anchor.

By Al Stilley
Editor

“The world needs more beauty.”

With that stated belief, Beck Service Center co-owner Ben Stallings had been looking for an artist for several months when a chance meeting with an artist from New Orleans in January took place.

Young mural artist Henry Lipkis spotted a used Honda Civic online at a Southside car lot and had also looked up a vehicle service shop online that could look it over. He stopped by Beck Service Center at 6025 Madison Avenue and began talking with Stallings.

“The car needed some work which we did, but he was an artist and I looked at some of his work online,” Stallings said. ‘It turned out; he was the right guy after all.”

Lipkis returned to New Orleans for his busiest time of the year, Mardi Gras, and made the return trek to the Southside in early May.

“I sent him (Lipkis) an estimate by e-mail that we agreed upon,” Stallings recalled. “I had wanted something done to those walls that added beauty.”

Lipkis returned earlier this month with his truck, variety of paints, spray paint-gun and compressor.

He painted the two north walls on the commercial business center at the corner of Edgewood and Madison avenues and paid homage to Indiana’s vast farmlands that are the heart of Hoosierland.

It took him more than a week to paint the two walls that are 18 feet high and 60 and 130 feet wide. The colorful walls are visible to motorists and passers-by who are east- or west-bound on Edgewood Avenue.

Previously the one wall had a few small paintings, but Stallings wanted a mural that would stand out and add beauty to the northside of the building that houses The Toy Drop, Subway and Beck Service Center.

Thanks to a chance meeting between a New Orleans artist and a Southside business owner, two exterior walls of a Southside business center are now attracting attention of motorists and passers-by at the southeast corner of Edgewood and Madison avenues.

Lipkis said he wanted to be an artist in high school and later studied illustration. He specializes in acrylic and spray artwork, and paint on canvas.

“It was somewhat challenging because of the weather,” Lipkis said. “It took a little bit longer than I had planned, but I think everyone will appreciate it.”

He has collaborated with several groups in the 9th Ward and Mardi Gras Indians to for many cultural illustrations and wall murals.

Lipkis spray paints wall on north side of building at southeast corner of Madison and Edgewood avenues.

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY AL STILLEY) Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers, left, and Central Nine Career Center director Nicole Otte check out a rendering of Cummins Engine Company expansion into Greenwood with a mult-million dollar digital technology facility to 30 acres on the southeast corner of I-65 and County Line Road.

By Al Stilley
Editor

With Cummins Inc., coming to Greenwood with a futuristic hub for digital and information technology, it finally opens the door for development of problematic land at the southeast corner of I-65 and County Line Road.

Cummins Inc. CEO Tom Linebarger announced Thursday that the Columbus-based global company would build a $35 million facility at that site for expansion of its digital and information services internally and for customers.

Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers said that the hub would have 500 employees with an average salary of $100,000 per employee.

Myers and Greater Greenwood Chamber of Commerce president Christian Maslowski agreed that it would spur immediate interest in an area that Cabela’s, GoodSports Enterprises Global and Gershman Partners/Indy Fuel publicly sought but backed out due to finances.

Maslowski emphasized that the area’s 100-plus acres is ripe for non-warehouse and non-retail growth.

“This will open up an area that is now primed for multiple types of development,” Maslowski said. “The big plus is that it provides diversity in land use and will benefit Greenwood tremendously.”

Cummins Inc. would occupy 31 acres of land for its expansion into Greenwood. Myers grinned and said that Greenwood becomes the “heart” of the “Cummins Corridor” on I-65 that includes facilities in Indianapolis, Columbus and Seymour.

The 100,000-square foot facility planned for Greenwood will house 500 employees with an average annual pay of $100,000.

“Getting a leading corporation to relocate into the Greenwood market, for us, is absolutely huge,” Myers said. “It also is a model for corporate-community partnerships.”

The partnership also includes a one-million-dollar grant from the City of Greenwood to Central Nine Career Center specifically to expand courses for high school students studying information technology and interactive media.

Outgoing Central Nine director Nicole Otte emphasized that in the future some graduates in those fields from Central Nine would be trained to be hired immediately by Cummins Inc.

Myers and Linebarger were among five speakers Thursday, including Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, and Columbus Mayor Jim Linehoop. The announcement was made during Cummins Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Expansion in Columbus with its electrification program will enable Cummins to become an industry leader in electrified power trains to replace diesel power in city buses and delivery vehicles.

Greenwood would become the hub for more data and services through electronics to fix any issues on the road as well as developing new digital technology.

Linebarger praised the City of Greenwood and said, “Mayor Myers and his team did an outstanding job assuring us that Greenwood is the place to locate. Our intent is to be an asset to the community and be glad that we are a part of that community.”

Cummins would be able to expand the footprint at its Greenwood location in the future.
The company is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY AL STILLEY) All lined up and ready to race in the first Grand Prix of Beech Grove are, from left, Coyle Delaney, Daniel O’Gara, Zoey O’Gara and Cayce Delaney. Their go-karts are housed and prepared at new garages at Whiteland Raceway Park.

By Al Stilley
Editor

The inaugural Grand Prix of Beech Grove for karting is taking shape with free admission for spectators.
As announced last week, the Franciscan Health Grand Prix of Beech Grove presented by Deem will see the green flag Sunday, June 16 with practice at 10 a.m.

The event is sanctioned by the Southern Indiana Racing Association (SIRA) for karting. It is the third event of the year for SIRA. Organizers expect races will begin in early afternoon and end at 5 p.m.

Kart races will be for all ages, beginning with youths five years old through older adults. Racers can register through SIRA at: www.sirakarting.com. Event registration continues online through June 12. Pit passes are $15 each.

Andy O’Gara, event organizer and Beech Grove native, explained that this type of event is ideal for Beech Grove and Central Indiana where racing enthusiasm is high following the recent Indianapolis 500.

A temporary course with protective barriers will be set up in front of the Hornet Park Community Center and include a portion of the south parking lot and the circle in front of Beech Grove High School.

Spectator parking is available at the north and rear parking lots at the high school and in front of the Hornet Park Community Center. Spectators are urged to bring their lawn chairs for comfort. Viewing sites include an area at the far westside of the football field.

Vendors, including the Beech Grove Lions Club, will be on site plus a variety of food trucks and show cars.

“The enthusiasm is building,” O’Gara said. “Kart owners are preparing for this brand-new event on the calendar. And this is a good, safe event that families can enjoy.”

Organizers are expecting 150 entries.

Announcement of the community-wide event was made May 28 by O’Gara, his wife and retired Indianapolis 500 driver Sarah Fisher and Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley.

“We’ve seen the karting community, which is the basics, where a lot of kids that get their chance at IMS (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) start,” Fisher said at the announcement. “So, to get those families inside the loop and showcase the city of Beech Grove and what they’ve done to support this basis of racing is really awesome.”

O’Gara and Fisher are co-owners of Whiteland Raceway Park and Speedway Indoor Karting.

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY AL STILLEY) Taking part in the formal dedication of the Lick Creek Cemetery commemorative sign Saturday are, from left, Stephani Resler, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Central District; DAR officers Peggie Bostic and Rhonda Beck; Patti Moy of the Samuel Bryan Chapter; Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley, Dr. Phillip Jones and Pamela Baird of Zion Church; and Dick Templin of the Beech Grove Historical Society.

By Al Stilley
Editor

The significance of the Lick Creek Baptist Church and Cemetery can be seen near the Churchman Avenue entrance to Sarah T. Bolton Park in Beech Grove.

A sign commemorating the early pioneers who were buried there was dedicated Saturday at a special ceremony hosted by the Beech Grove Historical Society and the Samuel Bryan Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

“There is a lot more history in this little spot than people realize,” stated chapter vice-regent Patti Moy. “This assures us that their memories will live long after we are gone.”

Moy launched her DAR New Horizon Project and will continue to find more information about the deceased there, including a War of 1812 soldier and five Civil War soldiers. She said that it may take one to two years to compile much of her research and to share it completely with Beech Grove residents.

The cemetery

The cemetery was founded in 1827 and covered over when the land was made into a park. When the church broke up, its members formed Zion Church 150 years ago. Pastor Dr. Phillip James and member Pamela Baird represented the church and its nearly 200-year heritage.

“Hopefully, people will now know there was a cemetery here,” said Dick Templin of the Beech Grove Historical Society.

Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley added that the community honors the deceased with the signage.

The Samuel Bryan Chapter formally stated: “This marker is placed in grateful recognition of the significance of this site to our community. May it help to keep alive an appreciation of our own heritage. We pay tribute to all the men and women who lie here that served our country, raised our children, and provided a foundation for our current generations.”

The formal sign dedication also featured the presentation of the colors and a21-gun salute by the Beech Grove American Legion and police and fire departments. Several representatives of the state DAR were special guests of the local DAR chapter.

The family names of those known to be buried at Lick Creek Baptist Cemetery are: Adair, Barnes, Bentley, Bodkin, Bryan, Carle, Coffman, Coverdill (Civil War), Evans, Ferree, Fisher, Gilbert, Graham (War of 1812), Hobart, Jennings, Jordan, Judd, Lewis, Ligenfelter, Lynn, Mann, Martin (2 Civil War), McCollum, McCoy, McFall McFarland, McLaughlin, McMullen, Minteeth, Monroe, Montugue, Oglesby, Reynolds, Schwert, Sears, Thomas (2 Civil War), Thompson, Tucker, Tull, White, Woodruff, and Yarbrough.
Info: www.marybranchater.com.

(SOUTHSIDER PHOTOS BY AL STILLEY) Holding a state-record seventh IHSAA state softball championship trophy, Center Grove’s Trojans got together for a team photo after edging No. 1 Leo, 1-0, Saturday. Team members are, not in order, Addie Osborn, Rachel Kring, Bailey Davis, Abby Matthews, Jillian Ransdell, Brooke York, Addie Homeier, Abbi Patton, Camryn Lansdell, Jazi Cangany, Tess Lawyer-Smith, Lexi Fair, Kennedy Bader, Kaci Finchum, Lex Warner, Piper Belden, Sydney McConnell, Maya Netter, Alexis Rudd and Abby Herbst. Coaches include head coach Alyssa Coleman, the state’s first coach to win back-to-back state titles at different high schools, and assistant coaches Lindsey Wissel, Anna Gunderson and Todd Lewis.

Center Grove seniors, from left, Tess Lawyer-Smith, Abby Herbst and Addie Homeier show off the Trojans’ 2019 IHSAA Class 4A state softball championship trophy.

By Al Stilley
Editor

An ugly first inning in the 4A IHSAA softball state championship game Saturday night turned into a thing of beauty for the Center Grove Trojans.

Center Grove (28-3) came away with its first title trophy since 2015 and a record seventh championship by precariously hanging onto the only run scored in the game in the first inning against Leo.

With two outs, CG’s freshman Sydney McConnell, a courtesy runner for Abby Herbst who reached first on a walk, stole second and scored on Lexi Fair’s smash that bounced off the glove of rightfielder Haley Hines.

Then the Trojans tried to return the favor by committing two errors in the bottom of the first.

With two outs, Lions’ slick fielding shortstop Kennedy Shade reached first on a fielding error on a routine ground ball. The next batter, pitcher Ashley Miller, hit a grounder but the short throw to first base was misplayed. First-baseman Alexis Rudd alertly threw to second and the relay throw to third enabled Lex Warner to tag Shade for the third out.

From then on, it was a pitcher’s duel between Herbst, the leading candidate for Miss Softball, and Miller. Herbst won by allowing only three singles, striking out 11 and limiting only one Lion to reach second base.

When the last batter grounded out, it touched of a long-awaited celebration for the Trojans (28-3), especially seniors Herbst, Piper Belden, Tess Lawyer-Smith and Addie Homeier who was sidelined with a torn ACL.

“We’ve been working hard for four years,” Belden said. “We thought last year would be our year, but we had to wait for a dream to come true.”

Belden, a University of Indianapolis signee, led off the sixth inning to launch a scoring threat. The next two batters grounded out that enabled the fleet Trojan to reach third. The threat ended on a spectacular diving catch of a foul ball by Hines. Earlier she was robbed of an extra-base hit when leffielder Spahiev made an over-the-shoulder catch.

Herbst struck out four batters and allowed only one hit in the final two innings. The precise-throwing senior mixed her pitches expertly with only one hit and one fly-out reaching the outfield. The University of Wisconsin signee

“This (championship) is insanely satisfying,” Herbst said. “With the career I’ve had, this was the way I wanted it to end for me and my teammates.”

Herbst finished with a 23-3 record, while Miller (13-1) gave up only here hits and an unearned run in her first loss.

Belden chimed in and said, “She (Herbst) is incredible. “She’s been a great leader and a great teammate. She killed it tonight.”

The CG program has won a record 23 sectional, 17 regional, seven semistate and seven state championships – all IHSAA records.

Center Grove entered the title game Saturday with confidence but were in some disbelief that their run scored in the first inning was the difference.

“I kept telling the girls after every inning that we have to score more runs,” first-year CG coach Alyssa Coleman said. “Abby kept getting better with every pitch, but we seem to thrive under pressure.”

Coleman also made history Saturday. She is the first softball coach in IHSAA history to win back-to-back state championships with different teams. Last year, the former Butler University player guided Speedway to the 2A championship.

Succeeding iconic coach Russ Milligan, Coleman and the Trojans fashioned a 22-3 regular season, but there were question marks going into their own sectional against rival foes. They defeated Franklin Central 2-0 and won the sectional title with an 11-inning 1-0 win against Franklin.

“We had the worst (sectional) draw of any team in the state,” Herbst recalled. “We came together and jelled then. From that game on, we had the belief that we could win any game – and we did.”

In their playoff games, the Trojans allowed only one run behind a solid defense and Herbst’s tremendous pitching. And they finally held the state championship trophy high for hundreds of fans who made the journey from northwestern Johnson County to Bittinger Stadium at Purdue University.

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY AL STILLEY) Center Grove softball players share lots of smiles and hugs immediately after winning the IHSAA Class 4A state softball championship Saturday in West Lafayette. The Trojans have won a state record seven state championship trophies.

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY AL STILLEY) Lutheran’s newly crowned 2019 IHSAA Class 1A state championship team shows off the title trophy while gathered for traditional championship photo after defeating No. 1 Pioneer Saturday. Team members are, not in order, Gabby Moore, Emily Streib, Kayla Dillinger, Rylee Morris, Kerri Selzer, Paige Mielke, Kaylee Gregory, Miranda Dunn, Kathyrn Garner, Bekah Caston, Hailey Black, Quinn Johnson, Katelynn Campbell and Dani Steward. Coaches are head coach Kevin Schmidt and assistants Krystal Brazel and Brian Feely.

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY KIMMIE KUEHR) Lutheran juniors, from left, second-baseman Katelynn Campbell, starting pitcher Kaylee Gregory and shortstop Gabby Moore are all smiles after the Saints won the school’s third IHSAA Class 1A state softball championship Saturday.

Lutheran senior catcher Miranda Dunn checks out her IHSAA state championship medal while classmate Rylee Morris shows her medal to admiring Saints’ fans at Purdue University’s Bittinger Stadium. No. 9 Lutheran upended No. 1 and defending state champion Pioneer for the 1A softball championship Saturday.

Lutheran senior Rylee Morris is one of three seniors who bowed out of their high school athletic careers with 1A state championship medals.

Lutheran players celebrate the title by gathering at the circle.

By Al Stilley
Editor

“This is bigger than enormous!”

With those ecstatic words, three-sport senior Rylee Morris summed up Lutheran’s third 1A IHSAA state championship against power-hitting and defending state champ Pioneer.

Morris broke up a 1-1 deadlock in the top of the seventh with a smash hit to centerfield that brought in teammates Kerri Selzer from third and Gabby Moore from second. Next up, sophomore Quinn Johnson singled to center scoring Kaylee Gregory from second for the final 4-1 count.

This was the Saints first state championship trophy since 2004. It was fitting that Morris and her senior classmates Miranda Dunn and Hailey Black finally held high the coveted trophy in front of the Lutheran faithful at Purdue University’s softball field.

Lutheran collected six hits off pioneer pitcher Hailey Cripe, who entered the title match-up with an impressive 11-0 record and 0.39 earned run average.

The Saints tagged Cripe for eight hits and three earned runs with a display of late-game savvy that they showed in the semistate opener June 1 against Covenant Christian.

Junior Kaylee Gregory pitched five and two-thirds innings, gave up seven hits, a lone earned run and struck out seven Panthers.

Morris’ seventh-inning, two-RBi single atoned for a rare miscue in the sixth when Mackenzie Walker’s hard shot to leftfield bounced off her glove. Walker then scored Pioneer’s only run on a deep fly-out to centerfield.

“When I went up to the plate, I was thinking, ‘I gotta fix this somehow,’” said Morris who also starred in volleyball and basketball at Lutheran. “I hit the ball, I hit the ball and I headed for first.”

Pioneer had hit 61 home runs this season, but that stat went out the window as Gregory mixed her pitchers that kept the Panthers power hitters off balance. Dunn wrapped up by getting the final out in the sixth on a grounder and only allowing one runner on base in the seventh.

Gregory said she did not look at the Panthers’ stats before the game.

“I didn’t want to look,” the right-handed pitcher said. “I don’t throw a fast ball, so I had to rely on being able to spin the ball and keep them from getting deep hits.”

The junior hurler survived some pressure-packed innings. In the second, Pioneer loaded the bases with one out, but Gregory got a strike out on a change-up and a fly out to end the threat. In the third with runners on first and second with one out, she struck out the last two batters.

“The defense had my back all season,” Gregory said. ‘And they showed it again.’

Lutheran broke open the scoreless game in the fifth when Dunn hit a grounder to short for a force-out at second but then overthrew to first base, allowing Gregory to score from second.

The Panthers tied it in the sixth but were held scoreless in the seventh.
Afterward, fifth-year coach Kevin Schmidt kissed the trophy for the first time.

“This (championship) brings unity to the Lutheran community and the Beech Grove area,” Schmidt said. “It means everything to be able to continue the softball-rich tradition at Lutheran.’

Then the fifth-year Saints’ coach summed up the game by saying, “We were able to force their pitcher into keep counts at the plate. And once we got a good look at her, we were able to get hits. And Kaylee was hitting her spots and really keeping their hitters off-balance with good speed and good placement of her pitches.”

Pioneer left nine runners stranded and committed three errors. The Saints left eight runners stranded.

The Saints finish with a 21-7-1 record; Pioneer ends 31-3. Lutheran won 10 of its last 11 games. The Saints won state titles in 2004 and 2007 under Joe Tilford. The Saints have played in nine state championship games, all in Class 1A.

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY AL STILLEY) Southport residents gathered for the 17th annual flag retirement ceremony Friday evening in downtown Southport. A record 2,000 American flags were donated for the patriotic event that properly disposes of the worn flags by burning. The event featured a tribute to all U.S. armed services and the American flag, an armed forces medley and Taps. Boy Scouts Troop 120 members John Armstrong, Anthony Borho and Jay Johnson presented readings about the flag. See more coverage on Page 4.

Standing at attention are, from right, military veterans Leonard Berry (Army), Kenny Winslow (Army), Warren Tetrick (Marines), Ed Chesterton (Air Force) and Bob Cloud (Coast Guard).

The ceremony ended with Taps, played by Jim Floyd of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY AL STILLEY) U.S. Navy veteran Warren Tetrick salutes the Amercan flag held by Anthony Borho of Boy Scout Troop 120 during the playing of “Anchors Aweigh” as part of an armed services medley during the Southport flag retirement ceremony Friday.

Leonard Berry, right, gives a solemn tribute to the American flag.

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY AL STILLEY) Youngsters and adults pitched in to help remove trees and debris Sunday in the 700 block of Elm Street. Jonathon McClatchey, 9, helps Daniel Denny cut and remove trees from one of several homes damaged by the tornado.

The east side of Alro Steel on Churchman Avenue was hammered by the tornado.

Metal and debris was tossed east of Alro Steel by the tornado that hit Beech Grove.

Tornado winds of 100 miles per hour toppled trees and damaged the playground at LaPetite Academy and also tore off a large portion of the roof at Regions Bank on Emerson Avenue across from Hornet Avenue.

(SUBMITTED PHOTO) Temporary barriers that were set up for canceled go-kart event near Beech Grove High School land in yard near Beech Meadow apartment complex Saturday.

(INDIANAPOLIS FIRE DEPARTMENT PHOTO) Winds from an EF-1 tornado Saturday evening ripped open part of the roof on the northwest portion of Beech Grove High School.

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY ELIE ERIN) Roof damage is evident at this unit of apartments at Beech Meadow.

(SUBMITTED PHOTO) Street sign that proclaims Katie Gearlds Way in front of Beech Grove High School was bent but not broken by the tornado Saturday evening. Gearlds was the 2003 Miss Indiana Basketball and led the Hornets to an IHSAA state girls championship.

By Al Stilley
Editor

Beech Grove residents began helping each other Sunday in the aftermath of an EF-1 tornado that struck a 200-yard wide path and damaged buildings but miraculously with no injuries.

The tornado struck around 7:30 p.m., moving from southwest to northeast, striking a few homes on Elm Street near 9th Avenue, knocking down trees and utility poles near Emerson and Hornet avenues, damaging Beech Meadow apartment units and causing heavy damage to Beech Grove High School and Alro Steel.

The tornado was one of nine that struck south central Indiana as confirmed by the National Weather Service. Continuing rains Sunday added to the damage.

Beech Grove High School and Alro Steel were hardest hit by winds of 100 miles per hour Saturday.

A portion of the high school roof on the north side was lifted and blown away, leaving a gaping hole and resulting in damage to at least 15 classrooms, according to school Supt. Paul Kaiser. Water damage from additional rains Sunday and Monday added to the damage.

The tornado raised a portion of the heavy roof from its foundation pinning, leaving the extent of structural damage immediately unknown. The football field scoreboard was blown down. Kaiser said that summer classes, band and athletic activities would be moved to other school buildings.

Kaiser promised that the high school would open for the new school year on July 31, but with contingency plans that could include temporary classrooms or e-learning.

At Alro Steel, just northeast of the high school, the tornado blew away roof sections, portions of walls on the west and south side of the building before tearing away most of the east wall of the massive 220,400 square foot facility.

Some homes also were damaged in the Churchman Woods subdivision.

LaPetite Academy, Regions Bank and Taco Bell sustained damage when the tornado hit Emerson Avenue west of the high school. Power outages affected nearby businesses and homes.
The tornado was on the ground for just a few seconds.

The Red Cross established a shelter at the unscathed Hornet Park Community Center, just east of the high school. Several families, many from the nearby Beech Meadow apartment complex, went to the shelter where cots, blankets, food were made available. A food truck arrived Sunday for affected residents to pick up meals while cleaning up damaged property.

Fred Shonk, columnist for The Southsider Voice, and therapy dog Stuart visited the center and read to a family whose children were comforted by petting Stuart.

Sunday morning, Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley visited the center and vowed, “We will clean up and rebuild.”

Crews from Speedway Indoor Karting and Whiteland Raceway Park returned to the parking lots between the center and the high school to clean up debris and recover temporary fencing and barriers that were placed Saturday for the inaugural Grand Prix of Beech Grove that was canceled.

“It was chaos,” remarked Beech Grove native Andy O’Gara, organizer and promoter of the karting event. “It was crazy when it hit, but everybody got through it without a scratch. I feel badly for the charities that we were going to help with proceeds from the event.”

O’Gara’s wife, Sarah Fisher tweeted Sunday: “Humbled by the showing of family, friends & community that helped clean up today in Beech Grove. Andy and I are genuinely thankful for each and every one of those that helped or supported in every way. We are grateful everyone was ok! We are all here to race another day.”

Beech Grove High School wrestling and football players and coaches also assisted residents throughout the city in removing debris, limbs and trees.

Residents and neighbors joined together in helping each other on Elm Street were several homes were damaged by the tornado and falling trees.

(SUBMITTED PHOTO) Tornado that struck a portion of Beech Grove blew down trees at entrance to Beech Meadow apartments Saturday.

(SOUTHSIDER VOICE FILE PHOTOS BY NATHAN PACE) Center Grove pitcher Abby Herbst hugs her catcher Lexi Fair (left) after Fair hit a two-run homer in the sectional opener to beat Franklin Central. The Trojans won the 4A state title and Herbst was named Miss Indiana Softball.

Roncalli soccer: Robert Thang is swarmed by his teammates after picking up the sectional trophy. Roncalli defeated Perry Meridian for the title.

Junior tight end Matt Munoz uses his helmet to secure the football for a reception on a two-point conversion. The Cardinals had the try called back on a penalty but converted on the next attempt.

(PHOTO BY KIMBERLY KUEHR) Miranda Dunn celebrates winning a state title as Lutheran softball prevailed at Purdue University.

Southport student claims highest state journalism honor

Eagle Scout project to improve school’s sensory room

Items needed for sensory wall

Two out of 13 go to Southside athletes

BGHS’ Leak and FCHS’ Miller to receive Cato scholarships

My husband, my gift from God

State championship adds to boys’ volleyball growth

‘I’ve loved you for so long’

Southport’s Robin Miller inducted into state sports writers hall of fame

Cyber Blue reaches ‘Super Bowl of Smarts’

Chasing the championship in Detroit

SHS Alumni Banquet Awards

Roller skater qualifies for world meet in Spain

Thousands raised for Fletcher Place

Mural enhances Beck Service Center

A chance meeting results in colorful wall mural

Cummins in Greenwood to open more I-65 area growth

Inaugural Grand Prix of Beech Grove taking shape

Sign dedication commemorates Lick Creek Cemetery

Center Grove shuts down Leo for ‘insanely satisfying’ championship

Lutheran’s state championship ‘bigger than enormous’

Flag retirement

No injuries, but heavy damage from tornado in Beech Grove

2018-19 Yearbook of Sports, Part 1

​Items needed for sensory wall

​BGHS’ Leak and FCHS’ Miller to receive Cato scholarships

​Chasing the championship in Detroit

A chance meeting results in colorful wall mural

Items needed for sensory wall

BGHS’ Leak and FCHS’ Miller to receive Cato scholarships

Chasing the championship in Detroit