Sycamore Magazine - summer 2012 by Sycamore School

SYCAMORE

SUMMER 2012

IN HIS WORDS MATHCOUNTS CHAMP CHAD QIAN

LONGTIME SYCAMORE STAFF & TEACHERS RETIRE

SYCAMORE BRINGS LITTLE FREE LIBRARY TO NEIGHBORHOOD

FIVE GRADS BECOME EAGLE SCOUTS

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL TABLE OF CONTENTS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY

RETIREMENT

MATHCOUNTS WINNER

SYCAMORE EAGLE SCOUTS

SYCAMORE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

CLASS OF 2008 HEADS TO COLLEGE 14 GRADUATION SPEECHES

2012 HIGH SCHOOL CHOICES

HONORING OUR PAST WHILE SHAPING OUR FUTURE

EIGHTH GRADE CAREER SHADOW

LITERATURE AT SYCAMORE

The end of a terrific school year is a great time for reflecting, and I’d like to do a little of that here.

SYCAMORE NEWS AND NOTES

YOUKOW HOMMA

MEREDITH MCKAY

2012 AUCTION DONORS

2012 JOG-A-THON DONORS

Our year has been amazing in so many ways, through the efforts of students, faculty and staff, trustees, parents, and administrators. It’s clear that when we’re all working toward the same goals, we accomplish great things. This year we’ve had many layers of goals. One of those layers includes three school-wide goals. Our first school-wide goal was to successfully complete our reaccreditation process through ISACS. We spent the 2010-2011 school year preparing an exemplary Self-Study Report, and last fall an ISACS Visiting Team spent four days at Sycamore reviewing every aspect of our school. The Visiting Team Report that was produced documents the good work that is happening throughout Sycamore, and we officially received our accreditation from ISACS in January. Secondly, we have worked to fully support the re-branding work initiated by a board-level task force and Kristian Andersen and Associates. Although our mission remains unchanged, our messaging techniques have been revised. As a result of that work, you’ve seen redesigns of our website, the Hall Monitor, the Sycamore magazine, and other print materials. Members of the administration have had opportunities to share our message with corporate groups in the Indianapolis area, and that has helped increase Sycamore’s visibility in our community. Sycamore’s program is second to none because we are always finding ways to make it stronger through continuous professional development. Each year we focus one of our goals toward specific program-related work.

This year every faculty member, along with their division heads, has been working on creating stronger, more coherent curriculum documentation and improved instructional strategies to meet the needs of all of our Sycamore students. We’ve worked with some expert consultants in the areas of Understanding by Design (curricular design) and Differentiated Instruction (instructional philosophy). Teachers are “mapping” our curriculum electronically; this process fully documents what we do and offers ease of revision as we evolve. We have also worked on the foundation for stronger character education at Sycamore. A task force comprised of administrators, teachers, parents, and Middle School students has worked to identify and define Sycamore’s core character values. After much reading, deliberation and discussion, we have identified respect, moral courage, empathy, and relationships as areas of focus here at Sycamore. This work will continue next year as we weave these values into our current program and discover ways to express them beyond Sycamore. In an economic environment that has caused charitable contributions in most non-profits to decline, fundraising at Sycamore has been stronger than ever! Through donations to the Annual Fund, the Auction, and the Jog-A-Thon, we have exceeded our goal of $360,000. Thanks so much to all of our friends for your generosity and support! We are saying farewell to four staff members who have collectively offered 94 years of dedicated service to Sycamore! Sheila Hyatt, Betty Krebs, Celeste Pechette, and Elaine Sandy retired as of the end of the school year. They will be missed, and we wish them exciting adventures in the next phase of their lives.

VOLUME 5, No. 2

HEAD OF SCHOOL

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Diane Borgmann

Jamie MacDougall

Patrick Juday

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS

SYCAMORE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Jack Tanselle - President

Dr. Susan Karpicke

Karen Vohra - President

HEAD OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

Francine Clayton

Holly Lee

HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY

Glenna Lykens

Larry Fletcher

Sycamore School 1750 W. 64th St. Indianapolis, IN 46260 317.202.2500 www.sycamoreschool.org

Onward and upward! Diane Borgmann (second from left) with Division Heads (Glenna Lykens /Lower School, Francine Clayton/Early Childhood, and Jamie MacDougall/Middle School).

Above: Dylan Shelton does research with one of Sycamore’s new iPad’s. On Cover: Lauren Caldwell dissects an owl pellet in Mr. Cox’s Second Grade class

BOARD OF TRUSTEES I first want to thank Diane Borgmann, her Administration, the Faculty, and all Staff at the school for another great year at Sycamore. It has been three years since we hired Mrs. Borgmann to return to Sycamore to lead the school. I can say with great confidence that her leadership has matched her favorite tagline, allowing the school to consistently move “Onward and Upward.” All signs point toward that continuing into the future. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated and caring group of professionals fulfilling their promise to students and families, guiding them during such a critical time in life’s journey. The Board of Trustees prioritized its time this year on three main themes or agenda items: 1. Financial objectives focused on continuing to improve the long-term stability of the school while also trying to manage near-term costs. We refinanced the outstanding balance on the bond from the last capital campaign, updated or created policies to improve standardization and controls of purchasing processes, and continued to leverage the financial planning model created last year to assist with annual budgeting and near-term forecasting and planning. 2. Created a Philosophy Statement regarding the management of resources at Sycamore. This was a year-long process led by a Task Force consisting of Traci Caldwell (Chair), Travis Morgan, Pawel Fludzinski, Cecelia McDonnell, Madeleine Smith, Mike Rosiello, and Patrick Juday. The purpose of creating such a statement was twofold: 1) setting general parameters for the Board and Administration to guide future financial decisions, and 2) providing greater transparency to all constituents regarding the revenues and costs of educating a Sycamore student, the importance of annual giving of “time, talent and treasure” by all Sycamore families, and the makeup and role of the Board of Trustees. The document is brief by design - two pages - but much time, effort, and discussion went into its creation. I’d like to thank the task force for their leadership and diligence and the entire Board of Trustees for engaging in numerous thoughtful discussions where many considerations were provided across multiple resource spectrums. 3. Focused discussions at our annual retreat and subsequent meetings this spring on the continued improvements needed in creating greater awareness of Sycamore School throughout the Indianapolis metroplex. We

have learned that marketing the school through “attraction” serves better than traditional “promotion” (i.e., spending on advertising or other mass marketing campaigns). By attraction, the idea is that through individual and corporate relationship building, we can attract people and groups more naturally and genuinely to learn about Sycamore and all the good work going on at the school. When such relationships begin to be built, advocacy and support follow. You might ask who will build these relationships? It starts with the Board of Trustees and the administration, and continued improvement in the process and habits to build such relationships will be a major objective of our work going into next year. With that said, I encourage all current friends of Sycamore to consider those in your network who might benefit from an introduction to or greater awareness of Sycamore, whether it be for a potential new student or something else related to the education of academically gifted and high ability learners. Seek out trustees or administrators for suggestions on how best to facilitate those introductions. Martin Bott, Chris Obeime, and Phil Johnson are rolling off the board this year. I want to thank them for giving their time, talent, and treasure. We will welcome to the board next year two new members who have previously served, Michael Mervis and Bob Brody. I look forward to again working with both Michael and Bob.

Sycamore Board of Trustees President Jack Tanselle

administrative leadership, highly qualified and dedicated faculty and staff, increasing student enrollment, sound and stable financials, and most important, an overall culture of student happiness. I look forward to serving with my fellow trustees and the administration in 2012/2013, excited to build on that position for continued growth and development of this great school. n

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Sycamore School is in a very strong position -

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY COMES TO SYCAMORE Sycamore School is now home to Indiana’s first Little Free Library. Started in Wisconsin in 2009, the Little Free Library project has sprung from the idea of creating free book exchanges worldwide to create more libraries than Andrew Carnegie. Promoting literacy and the love of reading, and building a sense of community are two components of the project

One of the many contributions Sycamore received this year was from the Girl Scouts.

Fourth graders at Sycamore took on the Little Free Library as a service project to the school’s neighboring community. Sycamore parent and architect Lily Pai-Acharya designed the plan for the

library. Jeff Hagerman, another Sycamore parent and president of The Hagerman Group, arranged the building of the library. Sycamore fourth graders created the artwork for the library and painted it. They advertised to the school community for book donations, prepared the books for lending, and stocked the library right as the school year came to an end. Third graders also chose to use some of their money from Box Tops for Education to pay for the paint and to register Sycamore’s library with the organization.

They will purchase benches to put out by the library. Feel free to come by and see the Little Free Library, which is in front of the school by the flagpole. It is wonderful to see the results of the collaboration of so many members of the school community! Next year’s fourth graders will continue the stewardship of the Little Free Library. More information about the Little Free Library organization can be found at littlefreelibrary.org. n

and into the classrooms at the lower level of the main building. There were evacuations from the trailers into the main building when the winds were high. Lunch was eaten in the classrooms. Children schlepped buckets of water from the main building to the classroom trailers. Reading groups were held up in the classroom loft and in the hall in the main building. Now with our amazing facility, written curriculum, and emphasis on differentiation, I realize what a Little School on the Prairie we had and what incredible confidence the parents had in those days to trust us with the education of their gifted children. What makes Sycamore a special place for a teacher? How is it different than any other place you have taught? HYATT: One of the biggest things is the support (of the administration) and expectation that you can try things in different ways. Another is the way that the teachers write the curriculum. You are not teaching from material that a bureaucratic source has dictated to you.

BETTY KREBS (Receptionist – 23 years): I was working at a medical laboratory and my daughter, Courtney, was attending Butler Preschool when the discussions began about starting Sycamore. After reading the mission and philosophy statements, and the more we participated in the discussions and the work to get such a school started, we were convinced we had to send her to Sycamore after her time at Butler was done. Mr. Eib hired me after the doors closed at Butler.

While the future of Sycamore continues to include staying up-to-date on the best teaching practices for gifted children and always working to upgrade facilities, it also includes new teachers joining the school. In the upcoming year, four will take the spots of some of our favorite teachers and staff. As 2011-12 came to a conclusion, four of our longest serving teachers and staff announced their retirements. The four have been extraordinary in helping build the school into the place of learning it is today. We wanted to hear from Elaine Sandy, Sheila Hyatt, Celeste Pechette, and Betty Krebs, in their own words, as they ended magnificent runs at Sycamore School. They have wisdom and wealth of experiences well worth hearing and remind us why they are such important people to the Sycamore family. It also gives us a glimpse of the history and evolution of the school, and how these women shaped the learning environment.

And it almost goes without saying that the school would not exist without the energy and resources provided by the parents and the excitement about learning brought by the students. KREBS: I have always thought that these kids have taught me more than I could have ever taught them.

First, tell me about how you were attracted to Sycamore and how you ended up working here?

What has changed in the years since you started? Have the kids changed? Is the school different? What have been the biggest changes you have seen?

PECHETTE: I think what makes Sycamore such a special place for a teacher are the students and the other teachers. These gifted students are so much fun! We provide them with challenges and they provide us challenges. It’s great!! The other teachers at Sycamore are the most wonderful group of people with which to work, ever. They truly believe in our mission, and they love the students. Plus – the teachers encourage and support one another.

SHEILA HYATT (3rd Grade teacher – 25 years): I was a friend with founder Carla Bennett long before Sycamore. I was not at the “kitchen table” planning, but I did go to a planning meeting at her house in 1984. I knew I didn’t want to send my kids to the new school (I was not nearly as brave as the founding parents), but I thought to myself – I would really like to teach there someday. In 1987 when my youngest child went off to third grade, I applied for an opening. I actually applied for a 5th grade position, but thank goodness, Alice Bostwick placed me in third grade - the first year that they had two third grades.

HYATT: The biggest change, of course, is the facility. I could go on and on about those changes. Students are in many ways the same, but today’s students are the perfect example of digital natives. We had no technology in our rooms, and it was a big deal to go use the “green screens.” Now, of course, they are showing me how to use iPads! What has not changed is the mission, and that is what makes Sycamore unique in the education world.

SANDY: Sycamore’s administrators promote professional growth, as we are encouraged to increase our knowledge of cutting-edge pedagogy as well as to contribute to the field of gifted and independent school education by presenting at conferences and joining city, state, and national educator groups. The sense of community is amazing here with parents, teachers, and administration all contributing to the foundation of knowledge, character education, and enrichment of the students.

KREBS: The kids definitely haven’t changed in my time at Sycamore; they are as wonderful now as they were 20 plus years ago. The school is constantly changing in order to meet whatever needs the students have at that moment. It is neat to watch teachers and staff adapt their teaching styles and curriculum to make sure the kids get the best education possible.

If you could give any advice to current parents of Sycamore students and parents who might be thinking about sending their kids here - what would that advice be?

Elaine Sandy, Betty Krebs, SSA President Karen Vohra, Celeste Pechette and Shelia Hyatt

RETIREMENT

CELESTE PECHETTE PS1 Teacher – 16 years): My husband and I found out about Sycamore when we were looking for a school for our daughter, Arielle. She was in first grade in a “good” public school and was BORED. We loved Sycamore from the time of our first tour, and that love continued to grow after our daughter started attending Sycamore. We were so impressed with the teachers, the caring atmosphere, and the things that Arielle was learning. By the time we enrolled our son Jonathan for kindergarten, I wanted to be a part of this great place, so I applied for a job.

I have often used this example (about the Sycamore faculty): At another school, a co-teacher and friend of mine did a literature activity that involved a taco lunch. Other teachers asked her not to do that because they didn’t want to have to do something similar. At Sycamore, if someone does something special, others ask for details and want to know how they can adapt it for their classes. I have never worked with such a dedicated, smart group.

ELAINE SANDY (1st Grade teacher - 27 years): I was ready to get back into teaching after 10 years off to raise my kids. My husband had read about the start of Sycamore School in the newspaper and told me to send my resume in even though the school year had already started. Mr. Eib, the first Head of School, had just retired from Grandview where my son and daughter had attended. When he had a sudden opening for a first grade teacher, he called me in since I had first grade teaching experience in Lansing, and he knew me as a parent helper at Grandview. I got the job on the spot and started teaching the week before winter break in 1985.

SANDY: There was no written curriculum, few resources or publishers’ samples, Lucky Book Club points were traded in for reading class books, and no bathrooms in the trailers. There was flooding on the playground

HYATT: For current parents, hold your children accountable for their actions both academic and behavioral. Let them try and fail. That is the only way they will learn to be self-directed learners and caring responsible citizens. As for prospective parents, come visit our school, sit in on classes, walk the halls and view the art work and projects, ask questions. Compare the minutes our students spend

answers they give. Connecting life experiences and readings to new experiences and being able to create new ideas and solve problems is the core of life-long learning. And read, read, and read. PECHETTE: Advice to parents considering sending their children to Sycamore? DO IT! The teaching staff and the students are wonderful. Having a gifted peer group is important, and having teachers who understand giftedness and all that it can entail is critical. To current parents- no advice, but I applaud them for the gift they are giving their children and I thank them for their huge commitment of their time as well as money! What will be the memories you will take from working here? specific moments?

Any

SANDY: Where else would I have been able to play guitar, sing with the kids, follow my passion for taking photographs, put on musicals, and inspire children with the love of learning? HYATT: For some reason I always flash back to the beginning of my second year. We had no air conditioning at the original school. The mother of one of my students, Jeff Karpicke (you might recognize the last name), came to help and washed each little slot of an old, dirty box fan that I had brought to school. That small act exemplifies the spirit of support that I have experienced for 25 years. PECHETTE: As a teacher my best memories will always be of the children (in my class and also my “graduates”) – their smiles, laughter, hugs – and seeing the joy on their faces when they accomplished things. KREBS: My daughter’s graduation, the many smiles on Jackson’s face as he rounds the corner to go to Spanish and telling his friends I’m his Gamma, the growth and maturity he has exhibited though the year under the guidance of Mrs. Pechette and the ladies of PS1. Chaperoning many field trips, especially the band trip to New York and watching the band perform at Carnegie Hall, road trips with my teacher friends: Kathy, Eileen, Elaine, and Sheila. I have had the privilege of working for and with all of the distinguished heads of Sycamore. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD? KREBS: I have enjoyed seeing the students returning to school and hearing about their accomplishments in high school, college, and beyond. I sincerely thank all of the students, parents, staff and faculty for many of the notes, cards, gifts, flowers and friendship through the years. in science labs, writing across the curriculum, and oral presentations to what other schools do. KREBS: My advice to the Sycamore community, either past, present, or future members: Never stop embracing the uniqueness of these kids. Each is gifted in this or her own personal way, and as a school community we need to provide a safe haven for each to be different and to encourage their growth so each become the best possible person he or she can be. SANDY: Give your child family experiences as well as responsibilities. Self-confidence comes from having age-appropriate challenges and being held responsible for them. Share your sense of wonder. Students demonstrate their giftedness by the questions they ask, not the rote

SANDY: I have been blessed with support from my colleagues, parents and students. Thank you for an amazing 27 years. I have received much more than I have given. Count your blessings. PECHETTE: To my students from the past 16 years – thank you for the joy and happiness that you have given me. You have brightened my life and I will miss you! To the parents of my students – thank you for sharing your precious children with me, and thank you for your kindness and support. To my fellow teaching staff members – thank you for your camaraderie and support. It has been an honor and privilege to be your co-worker. HYATT: Thank you, thank you. n

EXCELLENCE IN GIFTED EDUCATION SINCE 1985 9

QIAN WINS MATHCOUNTS TITLE After school had been dismissed on May 11, dozens of Sycamore students gathered in classrooms and in the theatre to watch a live webcast of a math event from Florida. They had gathered to watch the event on ESPN3 because a classmate was in the final round of the 2012 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition. The reward came as they saw Sycamore Eighth Grade student Chad Qian win the championship. They watched as he remained poised, focused, and humble, working his way through the rounds, on the way to topping the field in front of a packed theatre in Orlando and the worldwide webcast audience. Qian competed against more than 200 other middle school students in the multi-day MATHCOUNTS event. The best and brightest middle school mathematics students in the US engaged in a competition that included a written exam and culminated in the Countdown Round. Chad was victorious after qualifying for the final, in which the top 12 students vied for the championship in one-on-one competition. He won the $8,000 Donald G. Weinert Scholarship and a trip to U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, AL. Returning to Indianapolis after the competition, Qian was greeted at Sycamore School’s main entrance by the entire middle school as they formed a human tunnel to lead him to the Sycamore Theatre for an assembly. WTHR Channel 13 was at the school to cover the event. We caught up with Chad shortly before the year ended and asked him about the competition, the aftermath of winning, and how he thinks parents can support the spark younger kids show for certain subjects. SYCAMORE MAGAZINE: I thought you were cool under pressure at MATHCOUNTS. How did this

year feel different than the last time you were there? CHAD QIAN: I had a lot more experience, so the questions seemed about like last year, even though they were probably supposed to be harder. The countdown round was a lot more nervous for me this year, since it was my 8th grade year and I really wanted to do well. During the first round, and the subsequent rounds of the countdown round, I told myself to concentrate on the problem and not care about what place I got. That was easy, since I knew many of the people in the countdown round, which made it fun. SYCAMORE: Are there certain types of math problems or subjects that you hope for in a contest like MATHCOUNTS? What are the types of questions that are more difficult for you at this point? CQ: I like geometry as the best math topic, but I would prefer to receive an algebra, or maybe a combinatorics, question. Number Theory is the hardest area for me. SYCAMORE: After winning, what has surprised you about what has come afterwards? CQ: All the attention that it has brought me. I, along with my mom, am sort of a celebrity now. I have enjoyed it, but all the congratulations eventually become tedious. SYCAMORE: Why do you think you got so good at math? Who were the different people who helped you get better? CQ: I have spent many hours practicing math, and I started doing math at an early age. Those are probably the main factors. All of my math teachers, like Mr. Fischer and Mr. Tormoehlen, helped me, as did my parents and sister, especially my mom. SYCAMORE: If you could tell a parent of a student anything about how to help their kid find excellence, and use his passion, in a subject, what would you say?

CQ: See what he likes to do, what his hobbies are, and relate them to a subject. For example, if he or she liked going to the forest and looking at all the wildlife, science would probably be his or her subject. If that does not work, you could look at his or her school grades, and that would also probably help. Also, once his or her passion is found, just nurture it and help him or her expand (their) knowledge in that subject. The MATHCOUNTS program exists in all 50 states, and competitions have written and oral rounds, as well as individual and team components. Currently in its 29th year, MATHCOUNTS is one of the country’s largest and most successful education partnerships. President Barack Obama and former Presidents George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Ronald W. Reagan have all recognized MATHCOUNTS in White House ceremonies. n

ALEX JOHNSON ON JEOPARDY Sycamore Sixth Grade student Alex Johnson went to California this spring to appear on the kids’ version of the television game show “Jeopardy”. Though he can’t say how he did, we can all find out when the show airs on August 2. Out of the original number of applicants (9,000), only 15 ended up being chosen--first through an online test, and then in person in Chicago. From there, the nation’s brightest 10, 11, and 12-year-olds were invited to compete during Kids Week. On March 5 and 6, the contestants were at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, Calif. for the taping. Congratulations to Alex and we are looking forward to seeing him on the show.

SYCAMORE GRADS COMPETE IN WTHR’S BRAIN GAME Current Sycamore teachers Mary O’Malley, David Schuth, and Tony Young were invited to watch five former students as North Central competed against Park Tudor in the WTHR/Westfield Insurance Brain Game in March. North Central’s team was comprised of Andy Stautz (‘08), Anne Buckwalter (‘08), and Bill Ristow (‘08). Park Tudor had two students on their team along with two alternates. John Havlik (‘11) and A.J. Stautz (‘10) were competing. Julia Wang (‘11) and Michaela Tinkey (‘11) were the alternates.

Above: Sycamore students show their support by cheering Chad on from the audience. Left (clockwise from top): Sign at Assembly, Qian entering the student tunnel leading to the celebration in the theatre, Chad with friends at Sycamore during the celebration assembly, Chad being Interviewed by WTHR TV Channel 13, Mathcounts awards ceremony.

FIVE FORMER SYCAMORE STUDENTS EARN EAGLE SCOUT STATUS

wanted to do something conservation-related, and this seemed kind of unusual and cool. It was Sycamore who taught me that was OK to do and explore.” DAVID WINTERMEYER (NORTH CENTRAL HS) LEADERSHIP AWARDS: Includes Patrol Leader, Chaplain Aide, Arrow of Light and Philmont High Adventure Crew Leader in 2012

SYCAMORE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

BY KAREN VOHRA

PROJECT: Led the construction of a footbridge and bench on the Woods Trail at Daubenspeck Community Nature Park. The bridge spans a stream and the bench sits in a fork in the trail for hikers to stop and enjoy the woods while they rest. QUOTE: “There was always a strong advocacy to do the right thing at Sycamore; intelligence was accepted. It is OK to pursue what you want and to do what you believe.“ CONNOR DUNN (CARMEL HS) LEADERSHIP AWARDS: Includes Order of the Arrow, Firecrafter Camper and Woodsman, Polar Bear Award and Senior Patrol Leader PROJECT: Worked with a local architect and team of volunteers to design and construct five spectator benches for the Washington Township Tennis Program at North Central. The program serves 200 kids and adults during the summer months, and there had been no place for spectators to sit prior to the benches being built.

Eagle SCouts AJ Stautz, Bill Ristow, David Wintermeyer, Connor Dunn and Andy Stautz

Five Sycamore School graduates earned their Eagle Scout awards and were honored at a ceremony appropriately held in the Sycamore Theater on March 11. The Eagle Scouts were inducted in front of nearly 200 friends and families who met for reception following the ceremony. The Eagle Scout Rank is the highest honor that a Scout may achieve, and not every Scout qualifies for the high rank of Eagle. There are 21 required merit badges, required leadership roles in the troop, and completion of a project that helps the community. Only four out of 100 scouts will eventually reach Eagle rank. Each of the five Eagle Scouts completed their community project, with each choosing to design and construct a piece that benefits those who love the outdoors and nature. The projects must include planning, developing, and leading a service project— the Eagle Project —and the project has to demonstrate both leadership and a commitment to duty.

QUOTE: “It was interesting how the logistics worked for my project and having all the plans come together. And it was Sycamore and the spirit of the school that was instrumental in teaching me how to work hard.“

After the ceremony Sycamore Magazine talked to each of the honorees. AJ STAUTZ (PARK TUDOR HS) LEADERSHIP AWARDS: Includes Order of the Arrow, Troop Guide, World Conservation Award and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

ANDY STAUTZ (NORTH CENTRAL HS) LEADERSHIP AWARDS: Includes Troops Guide, Senior Patrol Leader, Bronze, Gold and Silver Palms, William T. Hornaday Award and World Conservation Award.

PROJECT: Designed and coordinated with volunteers to construct a 24-foot long wooden footbridge to the Woods Trail at Daubenspeck Community Nature Park in Washington Township. QUOTE: “Sycamore always had a higher standard, and now that I’m in high school, I can see the foundation that was put in place at Sycamore. We learned to help classmates on trips to Florida and Washington DC, and what we learned at Sycamore translates to scouting and helped me there.” WILLIAM RISTOW (NORTH CENTRAL HS) LEADERSHIP AWARDS: Includes Order of the Arrow , Troop Guide, World Conservation Award, Ransburg Ecology Award and Senior Patrol Leader

PROJECT: Led Restoration of an area in the Spring Pond Nature Preserve in Eagle Creek Park. He used GPS to map more than 1,200 invasive plant specimens, and once pinpointed, volunteers removed the invasive plants, allowing native plants to recover and flourish in the area.

Bill Ristow stands next to his project.

PROJECT: Worked with Central Indiana Land Trust to construct two 12-foot tall chimney swift nest boxes at the Wapihani Nature Preserve in Fishers. The birds are currently threatened by habitat loss, and the towers provide shelter for the swifts. QUOTE: “I’ve always loved the outdoors.

QUOTE: “My project provided and opportunity to lead my peers in a project that I am passionate about. Follow what you believe in. A lot of kids from Sycamore stick together (in high school). There is a standard of excellence, and Sycamore kids know it is not OK to give half-effort.” n

The second half of the school year was a busy and productive one for the Sycamore School Association, with events for students, parents, and staff alike. In the cold month of January on a Saturday afternoon parents brought their kids to play games and win prizes at the SSA Carnival. In February the Super Bowl themed “Chili Cook-Off and Square Dance” took place in our cafeteria and gym. Families competed for the best tasting pot of chili and finished the evening dancing with the square dance caller. Coffee & Conversation gatherings continued through late winter and early spring with guest speakers on twice-exceptional gifted children, IQ testing, and outdoor adventures. In early March, the Auction for Advancement raised approximately $85,000 and was brought back in traditional style by popular demand. Sycamore parents, teachers, staff and board members gathered to celebrate at the Ritz Charles. Text bidding included everything from special teacher outings, sporting event tickets, and memorabilia to spa treatments, and themed baskets. The Live Auction items included trips to Florida and Chicago, a Middle School Lock-In, and an airplane ride around the city of Indianapolis. The evening got even better as everyone came together to raise enough money to purchase iPads for all Sycamore students and staff through “Fund An Item.” SSA wishes to thank everyone who made this evening such an incredible success. Staff Appreciation Week followed in mid-April honoring Sycamore’s finest teachers and staff. During this special week, the staff was treated to gift bags with special notes of gratitude, a smoothie bar, a “favorite food” luncheon, a take-home gift card dinner, and a continental breakfast to conclude the week. We are very thankful for our wonderful teachers and staff who make Sycamore the special place it is each day. We wrapped up the year with the final SSA fundraiser, the “Steps for Sycamore” Jog-A-Thon. Dry weather and warm temperatures were the order of the day, which made for a festive, fun event for all those in attendance. Students, staff, and parents took to the track and then enjoyed a tasty cookout lunch and frozen treats. One lucky Sycamore family won the “new” iPad and five Middle School students won high school spirit wear baskets by participating in a raffle. This year’s Jog-A-Thon raised over $70,000! This school year has quickly gone by, leaving us all with many fond memories of school parties, field trips, spirit rallies, and fundraising events. SSA wishes to thank the many volunteers needed to organize these activities and encourages everyone to become part of SSA. The memories created at Sycamore are priceless and will last a lifetime! n

CLASS OF 2008 HEADS TO COLLEGE ALUMNI RELATIONS: 2008 College Choices

JACOB BALDWIN University of North Carolina Anne Buckwalter Oberlin College Peter Ciaccia Duke University Nicholas Ciulla Harvard University Jacob Clodfelter Purdue University Ted Cho Duke University Kathleen DeBrota Indiana University

Jacob Baldwin talks with Mrs. O’Keefe at the reunion of 2008 grads

One thing Jacob Baldwin knows when he goes to college this fall is that he wants to study for his business degree, just as his mom, dad, and two brothers did. Although the rest of his family

“My brothers and our family studied business, and all have business degrees,” he says, noting his brother Nathan won the IU competition called “Best Internet Tech Contest,” netting him $100,000 to start a business project.

attended Indiana University, Baldwin is headed to the University of North Carolina.

“But I also asked myself ‘what are my God-given talents?’ and how can I use those,” he admits.

Baldwin was one of more than a dozen Sycamore grads who returned on May 18 for a class reunion before the recent high school graduates begin to head in different directions, some leaving the state to start their college careers. While many are staying in Indiana, others are bound for places like MIT and Yale. The common thread? They are going to places that they feel give them the best opportunity for success.

Another grad that returned to school for the event was Anneliese Toumey, who will be attending Indiana University. She thinks wherever a Sycamore grad decides to go to school, they will be prepared for the challenge.

For Jacob, it is Chapel Hill, North Carolina. While he thought about following the path of his brothers (Nathan and Matthew both went through the Kelley School of Business at IU), Baldwin believes heading to the University of North Carolina is his best opportunity. “I looked at the University of Texas and at IU, but North Carolina is great,” he says. UNC offered Baldwin a full-ride scholarship, and he knows this is a chance to branch out. “This is an opportunity to see another part of the country, and people who visit just fall in love with it.” When asked what he wants to study, he laughs and says “business” as if there is no question to his direction.

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“We learned study habits at Sycamore,” she says. “A lot of things we learned here (at Sycamore) get taken for granted until you sit in a class and realize you have a head start because you already learned (what they are teaching).” The sentiment was echoed by Kathleen DeBrota, who will also head to Bloomington to study at IU this fall. “I was able to (bypass) a class or two (in high school) because of what I knew from Sycamore. And it really helped my study habits. I would be reading the whole book (for class), and find out many others hadn’t even read the chapter yet.” Ellen Wolf believes Sycamore provided a head start in a number of subjects.“It moved me up a level up in Spanish,” says the Purdue-bound high school graduate. “And in music, we had been playing for two more years than everyone else.” n

Conner Dunn Trinity University Kayleigh Geisse Indiana University

Christian Matkovic Indiana University Casey McDonough IUPUI Tommy McKay Indiana University Kelly Rodman Miami University (OH) Bill Ristow Haverford College Ellie Sheffield Elon University Jonah Siegel Indiana University Andrew Stautz Yale University Lauren St. Clair Miami University (OH)

Aayush Gupta Northwestern University

Marissa Stephens Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Abby Helvering College of Wooster

Andrew Thompson Indiana University

Mike Hong Indiana University

Haley Thompson Indiana State University

Ellie Hoover DePauw University Youkow Homma Yale University Lyndon Ji Yale University Andrew Jones Indiana University Allison Kowlowitz Colorado State University Kevin Lehtinitty University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Emily Palmer Miami University (OH) Areisa Peters Oakwood University

Jack Thygesen Haverford College Anneliese Toumey Indiana University Kern Vohra Vanderbilt University Pavin White Indiana University Ellen Wolf Purdue University John Yoo Boston College

GRADUATION SPEECH ALISSA PEARSON “Once Upon a Time” is the way children’s books always start. They’re filled with adventure, mystery, friendship, and triumph, and they never fail to entertain a child. Once those two words, “The End,” are read, while there is a sense of disappointment that the story is over, there is also a sense of justice, hope, and confidence that has been planted in the child’s mind because of the wonderful imagery that the story created. And, as is usual with such happy endings, kids plead for just one more story. With such a magical end to a child’s day, it is hard to leave that fantasy-filled land. However, as a Sycamore student, I found school to be my fantasy-filled land where I could make my previous night’s fantasy a reality. I was able to do so thanks to my teachers for encouraging my imagination by helping me structure my dreams inspired by the nightly stories my parents read. Often times what is perceived to be an ending is actually a beautiful beginning. The structure and discipline I have attained during my nine years at Sycamore have allowed me to reframe my fear of the ending of an experience so that I am instead able look forward to what is, in truth, a new beginning. My “Once Upon a Time” started when I came to Sycamore School in kindergarten. I was welcomed, comforted, and nurtured every day. All the teachers helped me to build an incredible foundation for my future, and they truly cared about helping me. During my second year at Sycamore, my family experienced divorce. With divorce comes change, and change is always a challenge as there are many unknowns that create a sense of instability. Thankfully, my teachers, friends, and the structure at Sycamore remained stable and helped me work through this difficult time by being supportive while I was

adjusting to living in two homes. That was my first experience in realizing the real world truth that emotional intelligence is necessary for success in the world for everyone, but especially for high ability learners. The most recent example of this at Sycamore is a result of our very own National Math Champion. I can guarantee that no other school would live stream the National MATHCOUNTS Competition in all the classrooms when one of their students is competing. Additionally, more students than usual stayed after school for an hour to see this special event. When Chad gave the correct answer to become the National Champion, the teachers and students ran down the hallways with excitement, as one of our Sycamore classmates represented our school at such an elite competition. When Chad returned to school the following week, the whole Middle School had banners with his name on it and a ceremony was held to welcome

articulate the comfort I feel with my friends, and it is Sycamore that has offered me the opportunity to develop such close friendships at such a young age. We have all shaped who each of us is and have had profound effects on each other’s beliefs and personalities. I would not be who I am today if it was not for all of the brilliant minds, classmates and teachers alike that I was surrounded by during my childhood. They guided and challenged me to be the best I could be.

him home honoring his achievement. When we interact in such a supportive manner for each other, whether in times of success or in times of difficulty, it allows us to discover connections which form unbreakable bonds that few will come to understand outside of Sycamore. These bonds provide the personal confidence to know that when our minds were put to the test, we would combine our knowledge to overcome what at first glance seemed impossible.

while at Sycamore will guide me through life. I am excited, nervous, and, of course, sad to be leaving the people that know me so well. However, I know that the intangible connections throughout Sycamore will be something I can look back on and find safety in during times of ambivalence regarding what the future holds. I love Sycamore School with all of my heart and I am so thankful that I was able to attend such a great community and create the closest friends during my childhood because I know that there is no other place that could prepare me better than this school did. n

Middle School was the turning point as academic challenges became more demanding and more was expected from me individually as well as from my class as a whole. Time management and organizational skills were emphasized and, without realizing it, we were preparing ourselves for opportunities to develop an understanding of how to mentally metabolize difficult courses. The four respects at Sycamore taught me how to integrate academic and emotional intelligence in a way I am not sure I can find anywhere else. Whether it be celebrating times of great achievements or helping students cope with great difficulties, the Sycamore community is one of which I am honored to be a part. Because of this emotional and intellectual integration reinforced at Sycamore, my friendships are the closest and strongest of any friendships that I know. We understand each other and are our complete selves together. I can confidently say that I have made the best friends that I could have imagined in my nine years here. My friends here are the people who made my childhood. They made the label of a “best friend” have a whole new meaning. Even in a fantasy filled-land, I could not have dreamt of such good friends because I know I have the best ones possible. There is no way to

Now that I have come to the end of my time here and the last page of my Sycamore storybook, I have also come to another beginning. As I prepare to begin my freshman year of high school, I am confident in beginning my new journey because of my stable friends, stable family, and my confidence in facing the unknown. These invaluable lessons learned

GRADUATION SPEECH JULIA HOFFMAN Winnie the Pooh once said, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” I still can’t believe that my time at Sycamore has

come to a close. After five years for me and over ten years for others, I know everyone here is ready to leave, but anyone who says they won’t miss this place even a little bit is lying. You should’ve seen me when I got my acceptance letter to Sycamore. I was running all over the house and didn’t stop smiling for hours. I had spent years in classrooms where I was given more work, rather than more challenging work. I was excited for the change, but I was so used to being the top of the class, and I came into Sycamore with this bounce in my step expecting things to be the same way. Then, I actually started going here and realized, wow, there really are kids who are smarter than I am, and this was where they go to school. I’ve been here for five years, and while others have been here for over twice that, Sycamore truly has shaped me into the person I am today. This really is a one-of-a-kind place. All of the teachers here really care about their students and the subjects they teach. So, I’ll admit it - I kind of have this habit of being late to school, but if I ever needed it, all the teachers were here before school to offer assistance. I’ve also had my fair share quality lunches with Mrs. O’Keefe. I’m really going to miss those. But to be honest, every single teacher has impacted me, and I will miss some part of their class. There’s Mr. Young, who gets so excited about everything from political machines to the Bolshevik Revolution that he starts shouting and beating things with a giant stick, and Ms. O’Malley, who makes us laugh every day, while still teaching us so

much. Mrs. Prince has taught me to love art and appreciate its history. Coach Lickliter has almost singlehandedly taught me everything I know about volleyball and basketball and has spent I-don’t-know-how-many hours waiting for my parents with me so I didn’t have to go to Quest. I’ve had Mr. Tormoehlen for three years, and even though I never participated in MathCounts or morning math like the other kids in my class, he has always been there to explain everything from pre-Algebra to Algebra II. Not only these teachers, but every teacher and faculty member with whom I’ve ever crossed paths at this school has had a great impact on me. No matter how many nights I’ve stayed up late stressing and complaining about the amount of homework we have, I don’t think a day has gone by when I haven’t learned something new and appreciated the education Sycamore has provided me. Other than academics, Sycamore has provided me with so many opportunities. I have participated in twelve seasons of sports, been in student council for two years, a member of the Knowledge Masters teams for four years, yearbook, band and choir. The no-cut sports have allowed me to fall in love with volleyball and basketball. I have run track for three years, and all of this, along with schoolwork, has been possible. The amazing field trips have helped me to grow closer to my classmates and have taken me to beautiful and exciting places throughout the country, from Florida and Washington DC, to St. Louis and Atlanta. And somehow, they always managed to incorporate some educational benefits into the trips without us realizing it, whether it was

snorkeling in beautiful weather while actually learning about oceanography or going on nature hikes through the Smoky Mountains and learning about forest ecosystems. Some of my favorite memories of my classmates and this school come from those trips. The thing I might miss the most though, is the people. I have made some great friendships throughout my years here, which I will cherish forever. At school, I don’t feel like I have to pretend to be someone I’m not. I’m not exactly a shy person and both in class and out, I’m not afraid to express myself and my ideas. After my final volleyball and basketball games this year, when I started bawling my eyes out, everyone on the team, whether we were close friends or not, immediately started hugging me and cursing me for making them cry as well. I don’t think there are many schools out there where everyone is that comfortable with each other. So in conclusion, to my parents, I say thank you for sending me here; to the faculty, thank you for everything you have done for me and every student you see pass through these halls; and to the class of 2012, I’m really going to miss you guys. Even when I’m all grown up, and there’s a very good chance I won’t remember all your names, I’ll always remember the happiness that surrounds my time here. And to finish off with another Winnie the Pooh quote, “If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together, there is something you must always remember: You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we’re apart, I’ll always be with you.” n

2012 HIGH SCHOOL CHOICES North Central High School: 12 students

Cathedral High School: 1 student

Carmel High School: 12 students

Phillips Exeter Academy: 1 student

Park Tudor High School: 5 students

Hamilton SouthEastern: 1 student

University High School: 3 students

Lutheran High School: 1 student

Brebeuf Jesuit Prepatory: 3 students

Mercersberg: 1 student

Zionsville High School: 2 students

Salpointe Catholic: 1 student

HERE IS THE LIST OF 2012 GRADS, THEIR CAREER INTEREST, AND WHO THEIR CAREER MENTORS ARE:

Ross Brown with Judge Steve Sims.

2011–2012 EIGHTH GRADE CAREER SHADOW

Mehar Athar (High School History Teacher), with Karon Wallace at North Central High School

Emily McIntosh (Special Education Teacher), Lori Henderson at Fall Creek Valley Middle School

Elizabeth Baach (ER Nurse), Traci Kennedy at Methodist Hospital

Catherine Meador (Biology), Min Xiao at Eli Lilly & Co.

Kendall Baten (Early Childhood Teacher), Tricia Johnson at Heartland Hall Child Development Center

Saam Momayez (Chemist), Michael Oberthur at Indiana State Department of Health

Isabel Bonarrigo-Burton (Civil Engineer), Jeff Bischoff at BSA Life Structures

Sarah Mossler (Government), Betsy Burdick, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor at Indiana State House

J.B. Bookwalter (Architect), Jack Munson at Richardson, Munson & Weir

Chloe Nusbaum (Architect), Wayne Schmidt at Schmidt Associates and Lily Pai-Achyrya

Ross Brown (Judge), Judge Steve Sims at Superior Court of Allen County, IN

Colin Oberthur (Aeronautical Engineer), Christine Moore at AAR Corporation

Tessa Buzzetti (Language Arts Teacher), Ed Coleman at North Central High School

Brian O’Farrell (Corporate Lawyer), Steven Benz at Eli Lilly & Co.

Maggie Crady (Social Worker), Brianne Biancardi at Healthy Families Indiana Christina Duffield (Architect), Arc Design Team at Arc Design

Alissa Pearson (Medical Entrepreneur), Jim Cornelius at Cornelius Investors and Dr. Amin Kassam

Peyton Duiser (Culinary Arts), Emily DeRosa owner of Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano

Chad Qian (Neuro Surgeon), Dr. Troy Payner at Goudman, Campbell Brain and Spine

Sean Egloff (Physicist), Dr. Xianming Han at Butler University

Shivani Recinto (Medicine), Dr. Abigail Klemsz at Riley Hospital

As part of the Eighth Grade Career Exploration Program, Director of Student Services, Donna O’Keefe, coordinates a program that arranges career shadowing experiences. It is

Ariana Evans (Interior Designer), Vicky Earley at Artichoke Designs

an opportunity for students to spend part of a day on the job with a professional in a field in which the student has expressed an interest.

Julia Hoffman (Elementary Teacher), Mrs. McAllister & Mrs. Hatcher at Spring Mill Elementary School

The shadowing dates took place from February through April. The 43 students began this process in November by taking an online personality-type survey that is a shortened but similar assessment to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. They also took interest surveys, investigated careers in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, and discussed topics relating to careers in discussion group. Former Sycamore parent Erin DeBrota came to Sycamore to speak to students about personality types and careers. n

Kayode Osuntokun (Cardiologist) Dr. Dolapo Akinwande at Pinnacle Heart Specialist

Rachel Glait (Architect), Heather Schafer at BSA Life Structures

Claire Reifeis (Financial Manager), Laurie Tanselle at Oxford Financial Group, LTD

Aryaman Gupta (Lawyer/Medicine), Dr. John Clark at Dept. Medical Health Indiana University Health

Sam Ristow (Chef), Nancy Landman at Great Cooks & Co.

Lily Jervis (Event Coordinator), Meredith Cleaver at NCAA Scott Kennedy (Sales), Terrence McWilliams with Endo Pharmaceuticals Ben Klemsz (Professional Baseball), Brian Bosma at the Indianapolis Indians Amanda Li (Pediatrician), Dr. Ann Osuntokun, St. Vincent Physician Network Emma Love (Dermatologist), Dr. Anita Haggstrom at IU Hospital Joe Lybik (Orthopedic Surgeon), Dr. Kosmas Kayes at Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeons Ash Mahenthiran (Biomedical Engineer), Dr. Karen Alfrey at IUPUI Vikas Maturi (Orthopedic Surgeon), Dr. Mihir Patel at St. Vincent Hospital

LITERATURE AT SYCAMORE

Sydney Roach (Physician), Dr. Amy Herman at St. Vincent Medical Group Jack Rodman (Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist), Darrell Barnes at St. Vincent Sports Performance Nick Shirrell (Computer Engineer), Nick Rosiello at Indigo Bio Systems, Inc. Peter Steinbart (Architect), Steven Risting at CSO Architects Elaina Vohra (Orthodontist), Dr. Jay Hughes at Hughes Orthodontics Dylan Wirick (Mechanical Engineer), Thomas Durkin & Cameron Yamashita at Durkin & Villalta Partners Engineering Amy Zhou (Pediatrician), Dr. Karen Wheeler & Dr. Mary Brunner at Zionsville Pediatrics Amy Zhou (Pediatrician), Dr. Karen Wheeler & Dr. Mary Brunner at Zionsville Pediatrics

Eileen Prince’s new book Art Is Every Day: Activities for the Home, Park, Museum and City came out in June.

children’s poet Rebecca Kai Dotlich. A graduate of Indiana University, Rebecca has written a number of books and has been visiting Sycamore for many years. She worked with Mrs. Reidy and Mrs. Hyatt, having two days of intensive study in how to generate ideas, use different techniques, and become better writers.

The long-time Sycamore art teacher’s work is featured in the June issue of Scholastic Parent and Child, along with a brief interview. This book is aimed as much at parents and grandparents as to teachers.

Sycamore welcomed children’s book author Matt McElligott to Sycamore School on March 6. He hosted

About the book: “Author and educator Eileen S. Prince offers projects for parents, grandparents, teachers, and others who want to bring meaningful, rich, and fun art experiences into children’s lives. This handy resource contains more than 75 ideas to do at home, in the park, in the city, or at the museum.” – amazon.com

On January 25 and 26, the Sycamore School Third Grade classes hosted nationally-renowned

discussions and presentations with students from Kindergarten through Eighth Grade during his all-day visit. Head Librarian Naomi Patterson prepared each class to meet McElligott by introducing his published works to the students, including his latest book, Benjamin Franklinstein Meets the Fright Brothers. McElligott, the author or 11 books, is also a professor at the Sage College of Albany in Albany, NY, and past president of the Albany chapter of the Graphic Artists Guild. n

family to run outside to watch the flyover jets pass above the house. She shared that she has “teared up” listening to Jim Nabors sing “Back Home Again in Indiana”.

Overall, the team earned nine medals. The team was coached by David Schuth with assistance the day of the event from Debi Stout, Becky Ristow, and Michelle Biagioni. n

The Sycamore band poses at the world- famous Arch in St. Louis.

SYCAMORE NEWS AND NOTES The Symphonic Band had an extremely successful spring. They participated in the ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association) Organizational Contest in March where they, along with our Fifth Grade Concert Band, earned a Superior rating. In addition, the Symphonic Band was one of only 20 middle school bands statewide honored with a “With Distinction” commendation for earning near-perfect marks from the adjudicators. With well over 300 bands participating in the festivals, this means that Sycamore placed in the top 6% statewide. The Symphonic Band also traveled to St. Louis in April where they participated in the Music in the Parks festival. This performance earned them another superior rating, first place in the Middle School small school division and the Jr. High/Middle School overall award for the top performance from all bands of this age category. n

Sycamore donated $795 to Gleaners Food Bank for the Backsacks program and $1,578 to Henryville High School. Thanks to Francine,Clayton, Sycamore’s Head of Early Childhood, who took the lead with these two

philanthropic projects. And thanks to those in the Sycamore family for donating. n

Sycamore sent 17 middle school students to the Science Olympiad Regional Competition held at Butler University. Anne Havlik and Jay Natarajan earned 1st place in the “Disease Detectives” event; Aryaman Gupta and Rachael Tan earned 1st place in the “Kee the Heat” event; Emma Love and Alissa Pearson earned 1st place in the “Write It Do It” event. There were 15 schools from around the region represented at the competition. Emma Love and Jay Maturi earned 2nd place in the “Crime Busters” event; Nico Biagioni and Ross Brown earned 3rd place in the “Microbe Mission” event; Anne Havlik and Sam Ristow earned 3rd place in the “Dynamic Planet” event; Justin Matei and Jay Natarajan earned 3rd place in the “Anatomy” event; Saam Momayez and Jay Maturi earned 3rd place in the “Compute This” event; and Rachael Tan and Indrajit Sokkhar earned 4th place in the “Rocks and Minerals” event.

SYCAMORE GRAD YOUKOW HOMMA NAMED INDIANA’S MR. MATH Youkow Homma, a 2008 Sycamore School graduate and Carmel High School senior, was named Indiana’s Mr. Math for 2012 by Governor Mitch Daniels. The Governor presented the award honoring the top math student in Indiana to Homma at Carmel High School. He was also presented with a $2,000 scholarship from McGraw Hill.

Sycamore Magazine: What motivated you to apply for the Indy 500 Princess Program?

first year at Harvard Law School. n

Four of Sycamore’s six entrants in 2012’s Symphony in Color Competition were recognized by the judges. Thousands of students from across the state vie to become one of the six children chosen to represent their school in the contest. Out of the hundreds of pieces of art entered, 100 were chosen as Finalists, and 36 of those 100 were named Gold Ribbon winners. Another 10 were designated by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Association as Honorable Mention winners. n

The following students received recognition from the judges: Michelle Hong (grade 4) was a Gold Ribbon winner; Jackie Hur (grade 4) and Alex Brinkman (grade 6) were finalists; and Justin Kinchen (grade 4) earned honorable mention. The 36 Gold Ribbon- winning art works were exhibited in the Oval Promenade at the Hilbert Circle Theater from February 27 until March 26. All top 100 were on display at the Indiana State Museum from April 3 through May 8. Congratulations to all our entrants (including Karen Wang and Marina Morgan) for representing Sycamore so well, and special kudos to our winners. n

MEREDITH MCKAY CHOSEN INDY 500 PRINCESS One of the world’s best known sporting events, The Indianapolis 500, is surrounded by traditions that helped to define the event . One of the longstanding honors is the group of young college women who are selected be one of 33 Indy 500 Princesses. This year Sycamore grad Meredith McKay(’06) was chosen for the honor. She participated in dozens of race and community-related events leading up to the 2012 Indy 500. Each year, women from across the state apply to become a 500 Festival Princess, and the final selections are based on poise, communication skills, academic performance, and community and volunteer involvement. McKay, an Indiana University student, has a memory of every year on race day, joining her

Meredith McKay: I first heard about the Princess program when I was in first grade at Sycamore through my teacher, Jan Kendall, who was Queen in 1969. Years later I still remember her stories about the 500 Festival, and I wanted to become a part of this Indiana tradition. The 500 Festival Princess Program appealed to me because it values women who are academically inclined and who are leaders in their community. SM: What were a few of the highlights as an Indy 500 Princess? MM: Collectively, the 500 Festival Princesses made over 200 appearances across the state during the month of May, including many community service outreach events. Some of my favorite princess memories include visiting Riley Hospital for Children, Girls, Inc., and Noble of Indiana. I learned so much about the positive service programs that take place across the state. SM: How did Sycamore prepare you for your success at IU?

SM: How were you involved at Sycamore this year? MM: I was honored to be invited back to Sycamore to participate in the Girls Conference, the Girl Scout Daddy-Daughter Dance, and the Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony. At the Girls Conference, I spoke with girls from across the state about my experience as a princess, influential women at the 500, and the physics of IndyCar racing. At the Girl Scout events, I shared my own memories of scouting at Sycamore including the life-long friendships that I formed and the favorite community service projects we worked on. SM: Do you have any advice that you would pass on to current Sycamore students? MM: It is thrilling to know that each Sycamore student is given the necessary skills to achieve whatever he or she sets out to do; the social and academic lessons I learned at Sycamore are directly relevant to my success in college and as a 500 Festival Princess. My advice to current Sycamore students is to stay close to the students, parents, and teachers that surround you. Our community is saturated with talent, and my Sycamore education has continued long after graduation. n

MM: I will be starting my junior year at Indiana University in the fall (and) one of my favorite things about Sycamore is that it encourages its students to explore all of their areas of interest inside and outside the classroom and to be well-rounded. I have been able to

Scan this QR code with your smart to see more about Meredith McKay’s 500 Princess experience

Homma told the Indianapolis Star that he first began to take math seriously in the Fifth Grade. He credits Bob Fisher, who has worked with Trent Tormoehlen and Sycamore in the successful MATHCOUNTS program, for his inspiration. “I had a very influential teacher,” he said. “He showed me how problem solving works and really pushed me in math.” Homma scored 2360 on his SAT and has been a Top 3 Percent Scholar all four years and was Valedictorian at Carmel High School. He is also a Presidential Scholar candidate, a National AP Scholar, and is a member of the Carmel golf team. Homma plans to study at Yale University. n

CORRECTION FROM WINTER 2011 SYCAMORE MAGAZINE: In the Alumni Updates, we incorrectly stated Kern Vohra had been a Carmel varsity tennis player for four years. He played three years and was a varsity captain during his senior season.

She shared her insight with Sycamore Magazine into how she became interested in the race and how the 500 Festival Princess program impacted her.

Chris McNett (class of 2000) returned for a visit on January 20, seeing many of his former teachers. McNett, after graduating from Sycamore, went directly to Purdue University, where he graduated with high distinction in three and a half years. He is currently in his

participate in many incredible opportunities at IU because of how well Sycamore prepared me, such as being named a Wells Scholar and playing the French horn in the Concert Orchestra.

Kiara Gill, Sophie Mernitz, Cassie Kaplan and Kendrick Mernitz ready to release a butterfly after it emerged from a cocoon.

Elementary students take a break for lunch during Jog-a-thon.

2012 AUCTION DONORS That 2012 Auction for Advancement exceeded all expectations! On Saturday, March 3rd over 260 people gathered at the Ritz Charles in Carmel to celebrate Sycamore School. The evening was alive with current parents, past parents, alumni and staff. Thanks to the wonderful leadership of Karen Vohra and Karen Shirrell, over 300 silent auction items were aggressively bid upon and purchased. Sycamore student Joey Mervis created an outstanding video conveying the need for iPads in the classroom, and parent Bill Janetta served as auctioneer for 11 fabulous and unique opportunities. We want to thank everyone involved in making this a huge success: The SSA members, staff, volunteers, parents, teachers and our 2012 Sycamore Auction sponsors and donors. 4:59 Barber Lounge Andretti Autosport Anthony J. Padgett Gallery Arts a Poppin Auntie Em’s Frozen Custard and Cupcakes Barley Island Brewery Barnes and Noble Barrington Jewels Brian and Vanessa Barth Barth/Sherwood C-Tech Bazbeaux Bella Dog Bakery Best Buy Christine Biro Bloom Salon Debi Bonhomme Diane Borgmann Robyn Bowers Bridgewater Golf Club Dan Brinkman Bru Restaurant Laura Brueckmann Build a Bear Workship Dusty Burwell Harmony Bussman Cafe Patachou Capital Grille Chattam House Cheesecake Factory Chick-fil-A Francine Clayton Climb Time Companion Animal Hospital Conner Prairie Conrad Hotel Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants Woody and Sarah Corey Costco Ryan Cox Linda Crady Delta Faucet Detour, An American Grille Deveau’s School of Gymnastics Lauren Ditchley Julianne Dixon-Yang Dr. Susan Dreheim, DDS BJ Drewes

Rita Dunn EC parents Eddie Merlot Eiteljorg Museum Cesar Espin Ferguson’s Lighting David Fink Fleming’s Steakhouse Pawel Fludzinski Pawel and Lou Fludzinski Fogo De Chao Fresh Market G. Thrapp Jeweler Game Preserve Ganache Chocolatier Garard, Wade and Kaki John George Marc and Lori Ann Gerdisch Gilchrest and Soames Global Gifts Gradison Design Build Granite City Candi Granlund Jo Dee Grau Hair Designs Harley Davidson Southside Erica Harrison Jason Hawes Alli Hebenstreit Lori Henderson Cara Hermacinski Becki Heusel Hickory Stick Golf Club Judy Hill Toni Hillman Mia Hindman Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Kathy Hollander Hoosier AAA Motor Club Amy Hopler Becky Horton Sheila Hyatt IN Eye Clinic Indiana Fever Indiana Governor’s Mansion Indiana Historical Society Indiana Members Credit Union Indiana Pacers Indiana Vein Specialists Indianapolis Indians Indianapolis Zoo Invoke Studio Louis Janeira and Jane Crawford Jared Fine Jewelers JCC of Indianapolis Jessup Cellars Joanna Jockish Joe’s Butcher Shop and Fish Market John Kirk Furniture Patrick Juday Kami Laux Photography Susan Karpicke Leslie Katz King’s Island Kona Grill Betty Krebs Jack and Betty Krebs Kroger

L Severson Portrait Art Laser Flash Holly Lee Linda Lewis Courtney Lickliter LS parents Glenna Lykens Jamie MacDougall MacNamara Florist Mr. and Marshall Macomber Maggiano’s Marie Reamer Fine Art Photography Marsh Supermarkets Mary and Martha’s Exceedingly Chic Boutique MBP Catering Cindy McKay Joe and Rathi Mehenthiran Judith Mills Sanjay Mishra and Seema Verma Monarch Beverage Monkey Joe’s Travis and April Morgan Moyer Fine Jewelers Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Loftus MS parents Denise Murphy Mystery Donor NCAA Hall of Fame Oaken Barrel Brewery Donna O’Keefe Old Oakland Golf Club Olivers Twist Mary O’Malley Wale and Ann Osuntokun Palomino Restaurant Panther Racing Lynda and Jim Parziale Naomi Patterson Paul Henderson Plumbing Celeste Pechette Lynn Pels PF Chang Scott and Yasemin Pirkle Prairie View Golf Club Eileen Prince Irwin and Eileen Prince R Bistro Ram Restaurant Deb Reidy Republic National Distributors Leroy Richins Rock Bottom Elaine Sandy Sarah Fisher Racing Scandia Down Schakolad Chocolate Factory David Schuth Season’s 52 Sephora Sherwood C-Tech Silver in the City Southern Dunes Golf Course Eric Sprague St Vincent Hospital St. Francis Foundation Tiffany Stahl Starbucks Coffee Company

Deb Stewart Stony Creek Golf Club Debi Stout Sullivan’s Steakhouse Sun King Brewery Sycamore Eighth Grade Class Sycamore School Sycamore School Board of Trustees Tavern on South Team Records Ted’s Montana Grill The Capital Grille The New You The Tile Shop Tony Buzzetti, DVM Tony Stewart Foundation Tony Stewart Racing Trent Tormoehlen Tremain Tile, Marble, and Granite Vine and Table Walt Disney World Walter Knabe Studio Warm Glow Candle Outlet Weber Grill Pam Westerman Westin Indianapolis Jennifer Williams Lynn Wirick Aaron and Jean Wright Jean Wright Jason and Jessica Wright Mary Ann Yedinak Tony Young

2012 JOG-A-THON DONORS

Jill Allen

Florence Christensen

Orlando Garcia

Dennis Hurley

Christopher Mann

The Robert and Carol Palmer Family

David Sims

Linda Anderson

Linda Christensen

Rebecca Garcia

Edward Hurley

The David and Julie Mann Family

Steven Palmer

Mary Sims

Roland Auble

Mary Christensen

Charles Garrison

The John and Maeleen Hurley Family

The David and Mary Mann Family

Pamela Pangan-Varble

Slattery & Holman, P. C.

Donna Aubuchon

The Timothy and

Joellen Gatte

Sharon Hurley

Donna Manning

Susan Papp

Anthony Smith

The Neil and Tamara Aubuchon Family

Alexandra Christensen Family

Basia Gentry

Chris Huston

Carol Mannon

The Tom and Kim Papp Family

The Jim Smith and Nora

The Birol and Sebahat Aydin Family

Bridget Clark

The Perry and Karen Glait Family

Sheila Hyatt

Wyman Marsh

James Parks

Doherty Family

The Robert and Christine

Marilyn Clark

Richard Govert

Yoshimura Iida

Carrie Martin

Jim and Lynda Parziale

The Joe and Karen Smith Family

Baldwin Family

Thomas Cockrum

The Brad and Stephanie

Palmer Inniger

Barbara Matakevich

The Phillip and Maria Passarelli Family

Mable Smith

Jackie Barber

Mark Coe

Grabow Family

The Chandrasekar and

Sorin and Daniela Matei

The Robert and Lisa Passarelli Family

William Smith

Susan Barth

The Toby and Jennifer Cole Family

Polly Grabow

Lalitha Iyer Family

Pamela Matheson

The Magan and Kapila Patel Family

Masako Sparks

Sally Beam

The Troy and Shannon Colter Family

Yolanda Graham-Dotson

Ana Janeira

The Brian and Cecelia

Sheel Patel

The Nick and Tiffany Stahl Family

Linda Bean

The Dan and Laura Conder Family

The Rick and Candi Granlund Family

Natalie Janeira

McDonnell Family

Naomi Patterson

Lance Stahley

The Jason and Tami Beheler Family

The Ben and Kate Copeland Family

Lynne Grant

Nellie Janeira

Lorraine McDonnell

Rita Paul

The Steve amd Dala Stahley Family

The Rod and Joyce Beheler Family

The Woody and Sarah Corey Family

Jo Dee and Tom Grau

Michele Janin

Sharon McGoff

Dorothy Peacock

Allecia Steckel

The Steve and Pam Benz Family

James Cote

Austin and Chris Greene

Sabrina Jensen

The James and Elena McGrath Family

Erin Phillips

The Allen and Rita Steele Family

Carl Berger

The Ryan and Jenny Cox Family

Christopher Grider

Jockish Flowers, Inc.

Cindy McKay

Janis Phillips

The Lance and Nelly Steele Family

Diana Berger

Caroline Coy

Mary Griffin

Catherine Johnson

Rosetta McKee

Justin Phillips

The Bob and Susan Stephens Family

Signature Sponsor

Riley, Bennett & Egloff, LLP

The Kraig Kinchen and

Carolyn Beyers

Albert Crandell

Jill Grossman

Jeffery Johnson

The Terrence and Monique

Elizabeth Pinnick

John Stephens

The Bank of Indianapolis

Special Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

Tina Harris Family

Chris Beyers

Georgia Cravey

The Gunar and Eleanor

Jennifer Johnson

McWilliams Family

The Ray and Rosemary Piper Family

Deb Stewart

The Steinbart Family

The Arthur Ko and Son Byeon Family

Janet Blank

Phyllis Crawford

Grubaums Family

The Jerry and Maxine Johnson

The Chris and Seema Mernitz Family

The Howard and Deborah

The Jason and Kristin Stickney Family

Sycamore School Association

The Joe Mahenthiran and

The Kurt Blank Family

Scott Crepeau

The Sanjay and Richa Gupta Family

The Mike and Carla Johnson

Dean Metcalf

Pollack-Milgate Family

Lawrence Stillerman

The Jack and Laurie Tanselle Family

Rathi Mahendran Family

Matthew Blank

Barbara Cunningham

The David and Barbara

Paul Johnson

Cathy Meyer

Eileen Prince

Bobbie Stockton

Validated Custom Solutions

The Delmer Morris and

The Al and Kristin Bodey Family

Melanie Czaja

Hagerman Family

The Rex and Carol Joseph Family

The John and Jan Michael Family

The Cass and April Pyatt Family

Alfred Stout

Sara Mamuska-Morris Family

The Fred and Debbie

The Mark and Jacque Dall Family

The Roland and Catherine

Rebecca Kageler

Kendall Millard

Ginger Pyatt

Debi Stout

The Raj and Dheepa Maturi Family

Bonhomme Family

Ernie Dallman

Hagerman Pangan Family

The Leslie Katz Family

Dorothy Miller

Natalee Pyatt

Julie Sugino

The Clement and Kellie

Dee Bonney

John Davidson

The Dave and Anita Haggstrom Family

Margaret Kauer

Joshua Miller

Wyoma Raad

Lily Sugino

McDonald Family

Paul Boren

Erin Davis

Joe Hall

Kevin Kavanagh

The Sanjay Mishra and

Charlotte Ramage

Lisa Sugino

The Brent and Catherine

Scott Boren

The Scott and Mary Davis Family

James Hamano

Richard Kavanagh

Seema Verma Family

Sam Ramage

The Anand and Sweta Tandra Family

McIntosh Family

S.R. Born

Sally Dawson

The Brian and Nellie Harden Family

Thomas Kavanagh

David Mizell

Cathy Rasmussen

The Felix Tan and

The Rocky and Angelica

Timothy Bousum

Shelley Dean

The Danny Hargrove and

The Charles and

Jean Molleston

The Chris and Yslea

Idella Simmons Family

McMurtray Family

Christina Bowe

Susan Deering

Jennifer Thompson Family

Rebecca Kendall Family

The Jeff Momayez and

Rasmussen Family

Carlyn Thompson

The Josh and Lynn Mervis Family

Robyn Bowers

Claudia DeGraaf

Linda Hargrove

Richard Kennison

Ling Xuei Family

Michael Rasmussen

The Gary Thompson and

The Jude and Margaret

Jennifer Bowersock

The Evan Denis and Lindsey

Claude Harrington

Katherine Kessler

Saba Momayez

Joan Rau

Leigh Harris Family

Momodu Family

Joan Boyer

Hudson Denis Family

Henry Harris

Jacqueline King

Myron Moore

Deb Reidy

Joseph Thompson

The Kyle Munn and

Barbara Branigan

Nanette Denis

Kathleen Harris

Jon Kinnally

Harriet Mossler

Irma Restaino

Mary Thompson

Dana Alexandrunas Family

The Kevin and Melissa

Molly Denney

W.S. Harris

Lindsay Klein

The Jeff and Catherine Mossler Family

Sheila Reynolds

The Bob and Nancy Toal Family

The Jared and Samantha

Branigan Family

Jane DiMarzio

Erica Harrison

Daniel Koch

Bob and Denise Murphy

Ronald Rich

Robert Toal

Outcalt Family

Mike Branigan

The Peter and Lora DiMeglio Family

Anne Hartwick

The Jonathan and

The John and Maureen Murphy Family

Michael Rogers

Bonnie Trammell

The Ben Pecar and Leslie

Ruth Branigan

Rich DiMeglio

Cynthia Harvey

Courtney Koch Family

Christopher Murray

Phyllis Rohlf

Deborah Trumbull

Thompson Family

Catherine Bravard

David Dinn

The Bob and Nancy Havlik Family

Randall Koch

Doug Muzzy

The Paul and Mayuko Roland Family

Gregory Utken

The Woody and Beth Peyton Family

Camille Brennan

Heather Dinn

Michael Hebenstreit

Bensu Kollath

The Bob Nargang and

John Rose

Nancy Vallone

The Ryan and Diane Piper Family

Perry Brignola

The Dennis and Margaret Dinn Family

Gregory Hege

Cynthia Koplow

Linda DiMeglio Family

Sherry Rose

Revecca Vandergriff

The Howard and Deborah

The Daniel Brinkman and

Robert Dodds

The Lee and Marianna Hege Family

The Gerald and Adele Kraft Family

The Matt and Jennifer Nelsen Family

Mike and Patty Rosiello

Vincenzo Jyoti Verderame

Pollack-Milgate Family

Lisa Pratt Family

Frances Doherty

The Troy Hege and Claire

Paul Kraft

Robin Nelson-Rice

Diane Ross

The Kunwar and Karen Vohra Family

The Rick and Jill Porten Family

M K Brinkman

The Tom and Mimi Doherty Family

Fiddian-Green Family

Jack and Betty Krebs

The Larry Neuman and

Sherry Ross

Jarrett Wandrei

The Mark and Becky Ristow Family

Rose Brinkman

Hallie Dovich

David Hein

Fiona Kress

Julie Sommers Neuman Family

Wesley Royse

The Bernie and Erin Wang Family

The Ralph Robertson Family

Brookside Tavern Family

John Dovich

Betty Lee Heine

Patricia Laciak

Mary Newkirk

Linda Rutherford

Marcia Warren

The Tyrone and Sherron Rogers Family

Maureen Brown

Ronald Dovich

The Marcus and Jennifer

Tiffany Laciak

Linda Newman

Gavyn Ryan

Michael and Sandra Warren

The Saihari and Priya

The Dan and Betsy Brunette Family

The Mack and Chris Earnhardt Family

Hendry Family

Olivia Ladd

Judith Nicholson

The Robert and Pat Sanborn Family

William Welge

Sadanandan Family

Joseph Bruni

The Mack and Jean Earnhardt Family

Britian and Angela Henry

Sheriee Ladd

Mary Nicholson

Elaine Sandy

Ericka Wheeler

The Mark Salzinger and

John Bruton

Marlene Eastman

The Jay and Cara Hermacinski Family

Cathleen Langlois

The William and

The Bob and Jane Sarver Family

The Brian and Rhonda White Family

Ruth Belin Family

Charles Bryant

The Ed and Jane Edson Family

Inez Hickam

Teresa Lantos

Michael Nunery Family

The David and Jane Schuth Family

Sherman Whitfield

The Matt and Tammi Scozzaro Family

Cherrylynn Burris

The Charles and Joyce Eicken Family

The Brian and Sara Hicks Family

The David and Michelle

The Tom and Joanie O’Brien Family

Christine Schwab

Tina Wilkerson

The Jeff Seifert and Hong

Dusty Burwell and Heidi Carl

Arbutus Ellison

Sarah Hicks

LaPradd Family

Charles ODrobinak

The Allen and Jennifer

Freddie Williams

Liu-Seifert Family

The Anton and Michele

Susan Ellison-Denis

Judy Hill

Leona LaPradd

Patrick and Donna O’Keefe

Schwartz Family

The Kit and Jennifer Williams Family

Selective Insurance Group, Inc

Cabellon Family

Diane English

The Simon and Kim Hillier Family

Mary Lavagnino

The Jason and

The Sanford and Dee Schwartz Family

Amy Willis

The Franklin Sequeira and

Maria Cabellon

Kathryn Farmer

The Michael and Amy Hillsman Family

Tom Lavagnino

Michelle Oldham Family

William Scott

Pam Westermann

Deeya Brooks Family

Silverio Cabellon

Verdon Feldman

James Hillsman

The Harold and Jessica Lee Family

Christine Oleshchuk

The Salvatore and Christine

The Chris and Becky Wood Family

The Steve and Yukiko Sugino Family

Ann Callahan

Prunella Fiddian-Green

The Thomas and Mia Hindman Family

Deanna Leinbach

The Peter Oleshchuk and

Scozzaro Family

Margaret Wood

The Brian Tabor and Dawn

Rita Campbell

Edmund Fish

James Hiner

Leroy Lenarz

Merri Beth Lavagnino Family

Laura Seeber

Matthew Wood

Brooks Family

Heidi Carl

Momoko Fish

Rick Hoff

Cliff and Linda Lewis

Mary O’Malley

William Seifert

The Jean and Aaron Wright Family

The Albert and Rosemary Taylor Family

The Paul and Mary Carlson Family

Edna Fisher

Tracy Hoffman

Anita Lingenfelter

Merlin Outcalt

Laura Seiferth

Kishan Yalavarthi

The William and Aasha

Michelle Carmichael

Esther Fishman

Eugene and Kathy Hollander

The Jeffrey and Kristine

The Eric and Cassidy Overpeck Family

The Ravi Shah and Meg Patel Family

Mary Ann Yedinak

Trowbridge Family

Barbara Carrier

The Wayne Fogarty and Ranee

Joanne Hollenbeck

Lingenfelter Family

Rita Owen

Naveed and Lori Shaikh

Christopher Young

The Jack and Alyssa Wei Family

Therese Carroll

Rathee Family

Bettsy Hollingsworth

The Joe and Susan Loftus Family

The Ronnie and Shirley Owen Family

The David and Julie Sheffield Family

Eugene Young

The Scott and Sharon Weigand Family

Jacqueline Carson

Amanda Fulk

Amy Hopler

The James and Jaime Long Family

William Owen

The Bill and Karen Shirrell Family

Robin Young

The Jeff Whorley and

Mark Carson

The Greg and Lori Fulk Family

Robert Hopler

The John and Marylou Loughlin Family

Wilma Owen

The Dan and Christie Siders Family

Tony Young

Lisa Haynes Family

Rene Castleman

The Keith and Carolann Fulk Family

Becky Horton

David Lovell

The Tony Paganelli and

Kenneth Siders

Rong Zheng

The Syed-Adeel Zaidi and

Dorian Cheairs

Randall Fulk

Elaine Hovda

The Dwight and Lisa Lueck Family

Dawn Shea-Paganelli Family

The Gregory and Idella

The Yaoqi Zhou and

Areeba Kara Family

Diane Cheslock

Irene Fulmer

The Tim and Cami Hovda Family

Constance Lund

Cynthia Painter

Simmons Family

Wendy Yuan Family

The John and Mary Ann

Carroll Gaddie

Elizabeth Howard

Kathleen Lyghtel

David Palmer

Carol Simon

Zionsville Dentistry

Childress Family

Jim Gange

Michael Howard

Carole Maguire

The Jim and Michelle Palmer Family

The Ross and Beth Simpson Family

Marathon Sponsors The Sycamore School Board of Trustees The Sycamore School Administrative Leadership Team Mini Marathon Sponsors Associated Vitreoretinal & Uveitis Consultants Barnes & Thornburg LLP The Bob and Helen Brody Family City Real Estate Advisors Conner Insurance Caldwell Travel The Freidman Foundation Educational Choice The Marc and Lori Ann Gerdisch Family Johnson Jensen LLP St. Francis Health Urology of Indiana Vasey Commercial Heating & Air Conditioning Whole Foods Market

2K Run Sponsors The Nayan Acharya and Lily Pai-Acharya Family American Health Network Oncology The Brian and Vanessa Barth Family The Rob Berntsen and Stephanie Pickens Family The Sumeet and Sumeeta Bhatia Family The David and Michelle Biagioni Family The Jim Blaufuss and Diana Burtea Family The Douglas Brooks and Mary Gambone Family The Don and Catherine Brown Family The Shan Cheng and Alison Klenk Family The Manish Chheda and Seema Dedhiya Family The Scott and Annette

5K Run Sponsors

Childress Family

Alladin Food Service

The Dan and Laura Conder Family

The Martin Bott and

The Debashish and Soma Dey Family

Angelia Barnes Family

Lindsey Effland

Briarwood Family Clinic

The Arnel and Nyllaine

Carmel Dental Group

Gallanosa Family

Colon & Rectal Care, Inc.

The Wade and Kaki Garard Family

Complete Office Supply

The Alex and Trish Godfrey Family

The Mark and Denise Cudworth Family

The Mark and Mary Kay

The Pawel and Lou Fludzinski Family

Hagerman Family

Gastroenterology Associates, PC

The Chris and Wendy Harlow Family

The Sylvia Ertel Sunil Gollapudi Family

The Troy Hege and Claire

Hughes Orthodontics

Fiddian-Green Family

Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center

The Paul Helft and Melissa

Keystone Construction Corporation

Cavaghan Family

Lung Care Group

The Chuck Henderson and

Mark M. Holeman, Inc.

Camille Nicodemus Family

The Josh and Lynn Mervis Family

The Y.S. and Clara Hong Family

The Michael and Julie Mervis Family

The John and Jennifer Hur Family

The Lou and Kathleen Metzman Family

The Tom and Joyce Hurley Family

Midwest Controls, Inc.

The Mircea and Cristina Ivan Family

Obstetrics & Gynecology

The Louis Janeira and

of Indiana, Carmel

Jane Crawford Family

Online Architecture

The William and Suzanne

Penske Honda

Jannetta Family

The Scott and Yasemin Pirkle Family

The Phil and Irma Johnson Family

Premier Wealth Advisors

Keystone Group

The Frank and Jennifer Qian Family

The Syed and Mariam Khan Family

Donors

Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage

1750 West 64th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260

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