December 31, 2024 — North Indy by Current Publishing

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December 31, 2024

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Northpoint offers hybrid model for homeschool families By Samantha Kupiainen NorthIndy@youarecurrent.com As homeschooling becomes more popular in Indiana, Carmel’s Northpoint Christian Academy is EDUCATION offering a hybrid model that allows families to choose which of the school’s courses their students take on campus or at home. Homeschool families pay a flat rate for classes, and with it receive their students’ curriculum. “Northpoint was founded in 2005 as a resource for homeschool families and has grown over the last 20 years to a full Christian hybrid model serving over 300 students and their families,” said Emily Cochran, Northpoint Christian Academy executive director. “Parents can enjoy the freedom and flexibility of homeschooling while knowing their child is receiving a high-quality education with professional and experienced educators. As a private program that is not associated with any state funding, Northpoint is free to choose its own curriculum and lesson plans and is not required to participate in state testing. This gives our teachers the autonomy to creatively adapt lessons in the classroom to best meet the needs of their students.” Cochran said she saw an increase in families looking for more freedom and flexibility with schooling following the COVID-19 pandemic, but some were unsure whether homeschool was the best fit. “(With Northpoint), families can experience the best of both worlds,” Cochran said. “They can enjoy the freedom and flexibility of homeschooling while knowing that their child is receiving a high-quality academic experience because we hire professional educators who have taught in a classroom, and they’re doing the instruction, and the parents are still getting the benefits of homeschooling.” Cochran said Northpoint, which is at

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Northpoint Christian Academy students listen as their teacher reads a book to them. (Photo courtesy of Emily Cochran)

2500 E 98th St., tailors academics to each student. “Even though we have our set curriculum, because we have smaller classroom sizes, the advantage to a student who felt like they were lost in a public school and just another number, is that they can be at Northpoint and take a traditional algebra class, but they know that teacher really knows them and knows their learning style,” Cochran said. “If they’re needing help or a parent is asking a question, they’ve got full transparency and communication with our team and teacher.” In the classroom, Northpoint Christian Academy doesn’t require technology. “It’s textbooks, pens and paper and calculators,” Cochran said. Parents can choose between sending their children to classes at Northpoint two

Community Health implements visitor restrictions — Visitor restrictions have been implemented at all Community Health Network hospitals in response to an increase in flu activity monitored by the Marion County Public Health Department. The temporary restrictions are meant to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses within hospitals. They include: no visitors under age 18; visitors are limited to immediate family or as identified by patients; no more than two visitors at a time per patient; visitors must wear masks in patient rooms when requested; no visitors

or three days a week. “We’re teaching the traditional approach to education, which is a huge value add to the family,” Cochran said. “It’s a breath of fresh air for families who have sometimes felt like they’re not able to still be in control of their child’s education. We believe it’s their God-given responsibility to be a part of their child’s whole life, including academics. When you enroll at Northpoint, it’s a partnership. You are still the parent, you are still in control of your child’s education, but we provide a resource to you by having professional educators, curriculum, lesson plans, everything done for you so that you can enjoy the benefits of homeschooling without having to have the weight of your child’s education on your shoulder.” Learn more at northpointclasses.com.

with respiratory symptoms. State parks survey — Hoosiers are invited to make suggestions about the future of Indiana State Parks by completing an online survey. The Indiana DNR is seeking responses on how the interests of visitors have changed over time. Park patrons can share opinions related to facilities, services, natural and cultural resources. Take the survey at in.gov/dnr/state-parks/about-us/ whats-new.

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December 31, 2024

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December 31, 2024

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Current in North Indy currentnorthindy.com

Former second lady’s new foundation takes flight By Les Morris NorthIndy@youarecurrent.com “Hummingbird” was former U.S. second lady Karen Pence’s Secret Service code name when her husband, NONPROFIT Mike Pence, served as vice president. Mike’s Secret Service code name was “Hoosier,” and the protocol is for the code names of all family members to begin with the same letter. Now back home in Indiana, the Carmel resident has taken her affinity for the versatile flyers and attached it to a new philanthropic mission – the Hummingbird Charitable Foundation. The prototype for the group, whose board of directors has expanded to include four of Karen’s friends, was her work as Indiana’s first lady when she launched the Indiana First Ladies Charitable Foundation. In three years, that group raised $600,000 that was distributed to all 92 Indiana counties. One of the beneficiaries of the Hummingbird Charitable Foundation’s initial fundraising event is Indy Honor Flight, a nonprofit with strong Carmel connections. Indy Honor Flight transports World War II, Korean and Vietnam war veterans to see the memorials built in their honor in Washington, D.C., at no cost to them. To date, they’ve flown more than 3,700 veterans, with a waiting list of about 800. Several Carmel residents serve as volunteers at Indy Honor Flight, and the venue for the group’s monthly veterans’ breakfasts is The Barrington of Carmel. Many Carmel veterans have taken the trip to the nation’s capital. One of those heroes is Dan Harlan, 84. He is a Navy veteran who served as a damage control officer and engineering officer on the U.S.S. Cogswell in the South China Sea, the Philippines and Vietnam between 1963-1966 during the Vietnam War. His day trip to D.C. began with an early pick-up by an assigned escort at 3 a.m. By 4 a.m., he and three friends also making the journey were having breakfast at Plainfield High School. The group was bused to the Indianapolis airport and flew charter to Washington’s Reagan National Airport. From there, they made the rounds of the war memorials and concluded the day with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery.

Former U.S. second lady Karen Pence greets a veteran participating in an Indy Honor Flight in April 2019. (Photo by Amy Rossetti)

“I was very impressed with the memorials,” Harlan said. Of the cemetery he said, “You can’t believe how big it is and how impressive it is.” On the flight back home to central Indiana, the veterans participated in the military “mail call” tradition and received cards of support and gratitude from friends, family and children who volunteered. The foundation is holding its first fundraising luncheon on March 27, 2025, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom with proceeds also going to INvets and Indy Warrior Partnership. Learn more at hummingbirdcharitablefoundation.org. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS Docket No. PZ-2024-00224V Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on the 27th day of January, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1 Civic Sq., 2nd Flr., Carmel, IN 46032, will hold a Public Hearing upon a Development Standards Variance application to: Currently we are only allowed 1 sign allowed (existing wall sign). We are requesting 4 (3 wall signs, 1 ground sign) to be added to the location. With the property being known as Tom Wood Powersport at 3006 E. 96TH ST. INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 46240. The application is identified as Docket No. PZ-2024-00224V. The real estate affected by said application is described as follows: Parcel Number: 17-14-0704-06-014.001 The petition may be examined on the City’s website, through Public Documents - Laserfiche. All interested persons desiring to present their views on the above application, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place. Tom Wood Powersports PETITIONERS

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December 31, 2024

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Current in North Indy currentnorthindy.com

BUZZER BEATER Adaptive basketball team offers inclusive opportunity for youth

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com Embracing Indiana’s signature sport — basketball — while offering a chance to learn the basics in an inclusive environment is not necessarily something Brittany Gaynor of Zionsville thought she’d find for her 12-year-old son, Easton. But using social media to meet other parents with children of different physical abilities led the Gaynors to the Hoosier state’s only youth wheelchair basketball league, based in central Indiana. RHI Racers is an adaptive basketball program sponsored by the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana. Children ages 7 to 18 compete in wheelchair basketball tournaments across the nation. The sport is part of an overall adaptive sports program offered by RHI that includes basketball, hockey, soccer, tennis, lacrosse, baseball and water sports. Gaynor’s son Easton has spina bifida and is in his second year with the team. The basketball season runs from September through April. On Dec. 7-8, the team held its home tournament at Butler University. “We’re the only Indiana wheelchair basketball team. We have practices weekly but for our games there are tournaments,” Gaynor said. “This one (at Butler University) is our home tournament, but we’re always traveling out of state to other places. They’ll go to Atlanta, Ga., early next year. Tennessee, South Carolina, they’ve gone to Wisconsin and Ohio.” Players use special adaptive chairs that allow them to quickly maneuver around the court. Not all players utilize a wheelchair in their daily lives, but they learn to use the specialized equipment during practices and training. Although Easton is not a full-time wheelchair user, he uses a borrowed chair during play. The game is played with traditional basketball rules, adjusted slightly to accommodate the wheelchairs on the court. For example, players are allowed to stroke their wheels twice before they must dribble. “It’s just really good, fun, competitive basketball,” Gaynor said. “I don’t want people to get the impression that it’s easy. It’s tough basketball. They sometimes tip in their chairs. There are still rules they have

Members of the RHI Junior Racers compete against players from Cincinnati Dec. 7 at Butler University. (Photo by Marney Simon)

to follow. It’s just Indiana-good basketball, and it’s really fun, too.” Andrew Stachel of McCordsville is in his fourth year as head coach of the RHI Junior Racers and is in his seventh year overall assisting. He said although players use wheelchairs on the court, the game is no less aggressive than any other. “It’s something they have to adjust to as they get older — the level of aggressiveness that they have to have,” he said. “We try to teach that aggressiveness, because that’s part of the attitude of how to go out there and play.” Stachel said the team consists of youth

of different physical abilities — some use a wheelchair fulltime; some are amputees; some utilize walking aids; and some use a wheelchair parttime. “We have kids with brittle bones, kids with spina bifida, scoliosis. It’s really just a great way to get them all involved,” Stachel said. Those kids also train like any other athlete would. “The fundamentals are similar, but we do a lot of rolling instead of running,” Stachel said. “So instead of sprints, they roll. I have them pull parachutes. They have to toughen their hands for quick stops and to turn

ABOUT RHI RACERS RHI Racers basketball teams are part of the RHI Adaptive Sports Program sponsored by the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana. The program serves youth and adults with spinal cord, orthopedic, neuromuscular and visual impairments by providing activities to help enhance quality of life and promote physical fitness. Developed in 1996 by two therapists who created an adaptive water ski clinic, the program continues to grow. RHI Adaptive Sports Program Director Karen Lawrence said the program’s best advertiser is word of mouth.

“People realize how amazing it is,” she said. “People want to get their kids involved, or after someone has been injured they want to continue their life and do a variety of different sports. No one has to go through RHI to participate — it’s just adaptive sports for the community.” The program includes competitive and noncompetitive sports for all ages, with 30 to 40 recreational clinics offered yearly. Learn more at rhirehab.com under the Our Programs tab.

sideways. Some of them will learn how to use their core. And then there’s a lot of repetition — layups, shots and we really focus on teaching them defense.” Stachel’’s son, Max, has been playing since he was 7 years old. Now 14, Max uses a day chair in his everyday life. He said the sport has built his confidence. “You get to be with kids who are like you, and they make you feel like you belong and you’re not so out of place,” Max said. “It took some time, when I was younger, I was only out there for 30 seconds at a time. And I cried the whole time. Over time, I got bigger, stronger and faster. That propelled me to do better.” And just like any sport, practice makes perfect. “With the younger kids, we play games,” Stachel said. “Tag, keep-away, developing the skills to use the chairs. In tag, you have to be fast, so that’s like conditioning. They’re building up their strength. It’s a big deal for a kid to make their first basket. They can play two or three years before they can do it, before they’re strong enough to get the ball to the rim. It takes years of them learning, and that’s why for some kids if they get a shot, the crowd goes wild. It’s a big moment.” For Easton Gaynor, his favorite parts of being on the team are travel and camaraderie. “My favorite part is to feel included,” Easton said. Brittany Gaynor said although Easton is still learning and growing in the sport, he shows no signs of slowing down. “We love it because it’s actually a sport that he can play and keep up with other kids,” Gaynor said. “It’s hard for him to just go and do typical sports. They really boost their confidence because they’re able to actually play. They also get social experiences from being with kids with similar experiences. If there’s another kid having difficulties or a disability playing with him, he’s just learning about teamwork and confidence and learning from his mistakes and how to do better. It’s just very inclusive.” ON THE COVER: RHI Junior Racers practice

during halftime of a game at Butler University Dec. 7. (Photo by Marney Simon)

December 31, 2024

INSIDE & OUT

Current in North Indy currentnorthindy.com

Blueprint for Improvement: Opulent primary bath in Zionsville Commentary by Larry Greene Built in 2006 in the Hunt Country Preserve section of Zionsville, this primary bathroom featured lots of great space but lacked modern style. Our team reimagined the layout to create a luxurious retreat that makes every day feel like an opulent spa day.

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THE BLUEPRINT • Natural elements like oak, cedar, natural stone and crystal are expertly combined with man-made components like porcelain, glass and metals for a dynamic material mix that makes a statement. • The new vanity creates a dramatic focal point thanks to custom oak cabinetry, quartzite counters and arched brass mirrors. • The hardware and fixtures convey the perfect balance of classic style with modern appeal thanks to luxe gold tones and contemporary lines. • The sauna, clad in tongue-and-groove eucalyptus, provides the ultimate at-home spa experience.

Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.

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