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June 5, 2015
Summer in Spain offers an education in culture
By Garth Snow gsnow@kpcmedia.com
PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW
A wall of Justin Peeper’s Homestead High School classroom holds photos of travels in Spanish-speaking countries. Heidi Holtsclaw, a junior, will experience a summer in Spain, thanks to an Indiana University honors program.
yet to ask whether the host speaks English. Holtsclaw said she
has no specific plans for the eight weeks in June and July. “I just want
Survivor of medical battle is graduate and inspiration By Mariah Martz mmartz@kpcmedia.com
COURTESY PHOTO
Homestead High School senior Benjamin Koch was diagnosed with severe necrotizing pancreatitis. As a result, he missed one and a half years of school but, through hard work, determination and resilience, Koch is still able to graduate with his Class of 2015 on June 6.
tissue in Koch’s body, taking him in and out of
the hospital beginning in March 2012. After a couple weeks, he was flown to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis where he was put on the ventilator for several days while his body underwent multisystem organ failure. Koch’s parents began preparing for the worst news a parent could ever endure. Koch was eventually transferred to Indiana University Health University Hospital to receive urgent care. After undergoing a 16-hour surgery, Koch received a less than 5 percent chance to live. On the worst days, Koch recalls not being able to move without being in excruciating pain. “On the days I wanted to give up, my mom wouldn’t let go of my See KOCH, Page A5
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In the spring of 2012, Benjamin Koch started experiencing sudden, excruciating abdominal pain. This would lead to barriers and obstacles that Koch could never have anticipated but which he would conquer with the utmost resolve and determination. He as a Homestead High School sophomore when he was diagnosed with severe necrotizing pancreatitis which caused him to miss one and a half years of school. But, through hard work, determination and resilience, Koch is still able to graduate with his Class of 2015 on June 6. The road to get to the diploma was long and strenuous. The pancreatitis caused severe inflammation and continued to damage
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When Heidi Holtsclaw calls home this summer, she will speak in a foreign language — English. Holtsclaw will spend the weeks between her junior and senior years immersed in the language and culture of Spain. The Homestead High School student will travel to Ciudad Real, Spain, thanks to an Indiana University honors program. Other Indiana students will visit the Spanish cities of León and Oviedo. “I got an email from my host mom, and they she friended me on Facebook. So we’ve been talking for a little over a week,” Holtsclaw said. Those conversations have been in Spanish, said Holtsclaw, who had
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to experience as much culture as I can,” she See SPAIN, Page A14
Elite drum corps in step with local man’s designs By Mariah Martz mmartz@kpcmedia.com
A Fort Wayne man turned his passion into a career while inspiring young musicians. Aboite Township resident Mike Hardiek is in his second year as the visual designer for the Crossmen, a drum corps based in San Antonio, Texas. The Crossmen and seven other elite drum corps will perform Wednesday, July 8, at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne. As one of the most prestigious, wellknown drum corps entries, the Crossmen organization helps young musicians and performers meet their full potential through the arts. Last summer, the group traveled coast to coast performing and competing in about 30 events. After graduating from Northrop High School and attending Ball State
SEE THE CROSSMEN Wednesday, July 8. Gates open at 4:45 p.m., and performances begin at 7 p.m. Schedule subject to change. Bishop John D’Arcy Stadium, University of Saint Francis, 1598 Lindenwood Ave., Fort Wayne. Tickets $25 to $35. Buy tickets at dci.org. University, Hardiek’s role in marching music continued to grow. His work blossomed into a successful career designing drills and mentoring young musicians and performers. After college, Hardiek first worked as a band technician with the Northrop High School and Homestead High School marching bands. While at a drum corps show in Canton, Ohio, Hardiek was asked to be See DRUM, Page A15