Avon Magazine July 2018 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

JULY 2018

MAGAZINE

Class Is In Session AHS Principal Matt Shockley Talks Programs, Participation & Pride

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CLASS IS IN SESSION: AHS PRINCIPAL MATT SHOCKLEY TALKS PROGRAMS, PARTICIPATION & PRIDE

Main teaser text: Matt Shockley just wrapped his 24th year in education, 14 of those as a high school principal. Prior to moving to AHS five years ago, he worked at Center Grove High School, serving nine years as principal and three as assistant principal. An important aspect of Shockleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job is daily interaction with the students. To keep his finger on the pulse of the student body, each month he meets with 10-12 students of all ages to ask for feedback on how to improve the school.

7 Class Is In Session: AHS Principal Matt Shockley Talks Programs, Participation & Pride

12 July Crossword 15 Man of Many Talents: Former

Hendricks County Sheriff, Tom Underwood, Reflects On His Unique Career

19 A Change of Heart: Kairos Prison

Ministry Has a Positive Impact On Indiana Inmates

31 Paying it Forward: Former Make-a-

Wish Child Pursuing Nursing Degree So She Can Give Back

36 A Second Chance: Hendricks

County Woman Makes Full Recovery After Medical Scare

40 Local Events 48 July Word Search 49 Dogs on Duty: Avon Police

Department K9 Unit Helps Keep the Community Safe

& the 2018 Boys Track & Field Team State Champions

23 Hendricks County Senior Services 54 Congratulations: Coach Toothman Provides a Place For Seniors to Stay Active

28 Stay Hydrated This Summer

4 / AVON MAGAZINE / JULY 2018 / AvonMagazine.com

Josh Brown

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JULY WRITERS

Christy Heitger-Ewing Melissa Gibson / Heather Chastain

JULY PHOTOGRAPHERS Amy Payne

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Class Is In Session AHS Principal Matt Shockley Talks Programs, Participation & Pride Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer Amy Payne

cross the board, Avon High School is successful — athletically, academically, artistically. There’s the phenomenal marching band, of course, which repeatedly receives top accolades year on year. Plus, in 2017 the Avon Orioles girls volleyball team won the IHSAA state championship. Academically, Avon High School is an “A” school, and perhaps most impressive, they are consistently a school with a 97 percent graduation rate and 96 percent attendance rate. “We continually have a high percentage of AP students who are earning 3, 4 or 5’s on AP exams,” says Matt Shockley, AHS principal. “And well over 80 percent of our students pursue post-secondary education, whether that be a 2-year, 4-year, or trade/ apprenticeship type of program. These are all points of pride for us, especially since these numbers have steadily climbed over the past several years.”

JAG ( Job for America’s Graduates) is a relatively new program that’s designed to support students who have a number of barriers to graduating from high school such as family, socioeconomic, or socialemotional. Shockley was approached by the Department of Workforce Development to start this program that helps students develop a plan for post-high school so they have a sense whether they want to enter the workforce, go to college or pursue some type of training program. Approximately 40 students have participated in the program since its inception. Many of them have presented at Chambers of Commerce luncheons and school board meetings. They have also competed in local career development and leadership competitions. So far AHS is the only school in Hendricks County to adopt the highly successful JAG program. “This is a niche of students that we haven’t served well in the past, but we are so glad

8 / AVON MAGAZINE / JULY 2018 / AvonMagazine.com

to have changed that,” Shockley says. “The level of confidence and personal stories these students share about how this program has changed the trajectory of their lives and of what they thought was possible is truly inspiring.” Counselors, administrators and current JAG members recruit students they think would benefit from the program. “We know those barriers that the program is designed to best serve,” Shockley says. “In essence, these students are at risk to receive external support and mentoring during high school. This program provides that. Plus, a teacher is in contact with them for a year after they graduate.” Last year the district received a Lilly Grant to support the counseling efforts in Avon schools (K-12). “There’s a growing need within our school and our entire district to provide support

and services for social-emotional needs,” Shockley adds. “There’s going to be continued conversation surrounding these issues as we brainstorm ideas to enhance what we’re already doing.” In addition, Indiana State Board of Education passed the new graduation pathways for Indiana’s high school students, which will impact students starting with the class of 2023. Shockley says that he and his staff will determine how to align their programs to best serve students who fall under the new parameters. Shockley just wrapped his 24th year in education, 14 of those as a high school principal. Prior to moving to AHS five

years ago, he worked at Center Grove High School, serving nine years as principal and three as assistant principal. Before that, he was an assistant principal, special education teacher and social studies teacher at Tipton High School. When Shockley and his wife Amy moved to Avon, he was worried that their children Grace and Sam (who were in middle and intermediate school at the time) wouldn’t transition well as that’s a tough age to uproot. But they quickly got involved in athletics and clubs within the Avon community. The family also settled into a worship routine at Trader’s Point Christian Church West. And through sports, school and a solid support network of neighbors and colleagues, everyone has settled in AvonMagazine.com / JULY 2018 / AVON MAGAZINE / 9

nicely. “We’re just so happy to be a part of this community,” Shockley says. “In fact, one of the things I love most for my family is the diversity. My children are exposed to different people with different backgrounds, and I believe that’s a strength of our community.” Shockley, a huge Butler Bulldog basketball fan, loves to indulge with ice cream — moose tracks, in particular. It’s a food that tastes even sweeter when being consumed on any beach along the Gulf Coast. When he can’t escape to the beach, however, Shockley unwinds by getting down in the dirt — literally.

“I love to plant things, nourish them and watch them grow,” Shockley says. “I get these interests from my grandparents, who were big into gardening.” An important aspect of Shockley’s job is daily interaction with the students. To keep his finger on the pulse of the student body, each month he meets with 10-12 students of all ages to ask for feedback on how to improve the school. When he asks students for examples of some of the best aspects about being an Avon Oriole, they say the school feels safe, has a helpful, supportive staff and offers lots of academic, athletic and social opportunities. An estimated 3,200 students will be enrolled at AHS during the 2018-2019 school year. Given that it’s a giant school with a big student population, Shockley strongly urges freshman to get involved in a team, group or club early on in their high school career. “It’s critical to get plugged in and find a niche in order to make the high school experience even better,” says Shockley, who enjoys watching students blossom over time. “During those four years, I get to celebrate their various accomplishments — whether that’s in the classroom, on the field, on the stage or wherever. That’s a great thrill for me.” Witnessing growth in teachers is also rewarding. “I see the difference they make every single day in the classroom,” says Shockley, who is grateful for the teachers, administrators and student body at AHS. “Our students are diverse, talented, creative and focused on doing their best,” says Shockley, citing the lip-dub as an example of such creativity, concentration and collaboration. A couple of years ago, a student approached Shockley to ask if he could produce a lib-dub video that would involve the entire student body. It sounded like a logistical nightmare to plan, prompting Shockley to initially say “no.” But the student assured Shockley that it could be rehearsed out of school hours and filmed during the students’ SRT (Student Resource Time) period. 10 / AVON MAGAZINE / JULY 2018 / AvonMagazine.com

Shockley acquiesced and is glad he did. The video received national attention, but that’s not why Shockley views it as a success. “The amount of money that was raised with the events associated with the lip-dub as a school was incredible,” says Shockley, noting that the students generated awareness and funding for Hendricks Regional Health Foundation Prenatal and Pediatric Care. Shockley was proud of how smoothly and efficiently so many different students, organizations and staff members came together to make the video. “Even more impressive was how well the video highlighted the great diversity in our school as well as all the different opportunities we provide our kids,” he adds. “I’ve found that when you give students guidelines and parameters but empower them to run with an idea, with their energy, enthusiasm and creativity, they will thrive.”

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Man of Many Talents Former Hendricks County Sheriff, Tom Underwood, Reflects On His Unique Career Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography provided by Underwood Family

Tom Underwood was 23 years old and a trooper with the Indiana State Police when he was drafted in 1959 into the U.S. Army where he spent two years in Bamberg, Germany, with the 15th Infantry, part of the 3rd Army Division. This was during the Cold War, and Underwood was stationed on the border between West and East Germany. He and his unit did training to keep everyone combat ready. At times they worked border patrol, securing bridges in the event of an attack. They also offered support in demolitions when bridges needed to be blown up.

“Germany was still in reconstruction after World War II. It was interesting to see the reclamation that was taking place,” Underwood says. “The German citizens were thankful for the soldiers’ help in getting them reestablished.”

Underwood deadpanned, “I guess we’re looking in the wrong direction.”

Underwood and his wife, Abby, lived off the military base with a German family until 1961. Before returning home, however, he and his young bride traveled to Paris to sightsee. One day they went to the top of the Eiffel Tower when Abby turned to her husband and asked, “Why can’t we see the Eiffel Tower from here?”

After returning stateside, Underwood resumed his career as a police officer, serving as an Indiana State trooper for 25 years. After retiring from the police force, he became the Chief Deputy of the Hendricks County Sheriff ’s Department for the next seven years before serving one term as the Sheriff of Hendricks County from 19911994.

JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

“It was one of those moments I’ll never forget,” he says. “We got a good kick out of that.”

“Being a cop was an interesting career,” says Underwood, noting the difference in duties between the two parallel careers. As an Indiana state trooper, he was doing mostly road patrol, answering calls for service on the highway (remember, this was all pre-cell phone). His role as sheriff required him to transport prisoners, serve warrants and deal with the courts. As Chief Deputy of the Sheriff’s Department, Underwood was in charge of setting up patrol areas for deputies so that they could cover the county. He also was responsible for feeding the prisoners — a task that fell to his wife.

opportunity to attend church if they wished,” Underwood says. “Ministers of all different denominations rotated through each week.” Despite their reasons for being jailed, Underwood had empathy for these men, many of whom were remorseful and desperately wanted to turn their lives around.

Plainfield for 14 years until he stepped down from the position last August. Though he still works in sales, at 82, he felt it was time he slowed down.

“Honestly, I don’t feel that old,” Underwood says. And it’s no wonder as he still keeps active tending to his vegetable garden that’s brimming with tomatoes, cabbage, radishes, “Some of these guys were first-time offenders, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans and and when they got arrested, to them, all hope sweet corn. In addition, although he hadn’t ridden a bicycle for 45 years, he recently took seemed lost,” Underwood says. “I wanted up riding the Vandalia Rail Trail with his them to have the chance to find that hope neighbor. through church and counseling.”

“Abby became the matron of the prison,” After his term as sheriff ended, Underwood Underwood says. “She ordered the food, took decided it was time to once again switch care of the cooks and fed the prisoners.” gears. He got his real estate license in 1994 and has been selling houses ever since. He One thing Underwood implemented during chose this new career because he still wanted his time as sheriff was coordinating a group to serve the public in some capacity. of Hendricks County ministers to volunteer to take turns running Sunday church services “I love that I’m still able to help people find for inmates. security and happiness,” says Underwood, “I wanted my prisoners to have the who managed Carpenter Realtors in

“I told him to stay behind me so he could call 911 should I fall off,” Underwood jokes. “The first couple of trips out, I took up most of the width of the trail just trying to keep my balance, but I haven’t fallen.” Underwood, who grew up in Coatesville, attended Amo High School (now transformed into a grade school).

“If you’ve ever seen the movie Hoosiers, my teammates and I lived that before the film was ever made,” says Underwood, noting that in 1953, during his senior year, there were 13 schools in Hendricks County. That year the Amo High School basketball team won the sectional tournament and advanced to regionals, which was played at the Butler Fieldhouse. “We won the afternoon game, and in the evening, we played Crispus Attucks, which had a well-known basketball team in Indy at the time,” Underwood says. In fact, one of the players on that team was Hallie Bryant, who went on to play professional ball, was a Harlem Globetrotter and was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

after 56 years of marriage. “Without her, I would not have made it through life,” Underwood says. “She was so supportive of my career choices and changes.” The pair met at a drive-in root beer stand in Greencastle. After they wed, she worked as a clerk for the state police force in Putnamville. She’s the one who convinced Underwood to apply to become a state trooper.

“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with myself,” says Underwood, who at the time was employed at a brass factory on the west side of Indianapolis. The couple went on to have a son, Tim, and daughter, “We lost that game, but oh, what a memory,” Kim, both of whom also pursued careers in law enforcement. They both work at the says Underwood, who also has many great Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) memories of time spent with his beautiful in Plainfield. Tim has three daughters: wife, whom he married in 1958 when he was 23 years old. Abby passed away in 2014, Amanda, Kayla and Jenna. A fun fact is that

Underwood’s oldest granddaughter, Amanda, now teaches fourth grade at Amo Elementary (Underwood’s former high school). After Abby died, her Boston Terrier, Bridget, didn’t quite know what to do with herself. Underwood could empathize, as he felt lost, too. Bridget was in the habit of sitting on Abby’s lap every day. For months after Abby’s passing, the dog sat beside Underwood’s chair. Finally, one day she hopped up onto his lap. And together, they began to heal. An active member of the New Winchester Christian Church, located in western Hendricks County, Underwood plans to continue working for as long as he physically can. “As long as I have people who want me to list or sell their property, I’ll do it,” he says. “I like taking care of things. And I truly enjoy people. Each morning I thank the Lord that I get to experience another day.”

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A Change of Heart Kairos Prison Ministry Has a Positive Impact On Indiana Inmates

the testimonies, it’s a front row seat to a miracle,” says Roger Bough, State Chairman. Kairos Prison Ministry, the largest volunteer One form of the organization started organization in the correctional system in in the 70s in Florida, and Kairos has Indiana brings together men and women grown to reside in 37 states and nine from multiple denominations in an effort countries. The scripted course involving to save those who are lost and living in the team activities, singing, prayer and many prison system. speakers have a life-long effect on some of the states most hardened criminals. They offer a three-day program with an “intense introduction” to Jesus Christ They work with 1,200 inmates per year, and Christianity in 20 facilities across the carefully selecting 42 guests within the state. prison to attend each of the two event “We can give the logistics, but if you weekends per facility and after the threecome to a closing ceremony and hear Writer / Melissa Gibson Photography provided by Kairos Prison Ministry

AvonMagazine.com / JULY 2018 / AVON MAGAZINE / 19

day introduction, their involvement doesn’t stop there. “After that weekend, we come back for a one-day instructional reunion, we’re there once a week for a prayer and sharing time and twice a year we have a full day retreat,” Bough says. One weekend requires each volunteer to put in about 100 hours and that doesn’t include the weekly and monthly activities.” Bob Asmus says a year and a half ago he planned to visit one weekend as a

volunteer to see what the ministry was all about. “These guys coming into the room, their eyes were like dark tunnels,” he says. “You can see that many of them are scared and they often say, ‘the only reason I’m here is because I heard there was good food.’ After a day, they start sharing with each other and opening up. We just see heart changes and we’re just there listening and loving on them, but the greatest blessing is watching the lives change and knowing that I’m just the facilitator. I was just there and God did all the work.” Guests of the program are treated to five special meals made by volunteers and receive a handwritten letter from each of the approximately 40 members of the volunteer team. Some of the men and women haven’t received a letter throughout their stay at the prison. “That’s the kind of thing that really has an effect,” says Frank Rowe, Liaison for Plainfield’s Heritage Trail. “I’ve seen some of the hardest of hearts break over getting those letters. Talk about a moment. They can’t believe we take the time away from our families to be with them.”

Kairos group preparing to enter prison on a recent Saturday morning.

The importance of the ministry, Rowe says, is 97 percent of individuals incarcerated will eventually get out. “That’s why it’s important to effect change,” Rowe says. The goal is not only to bring inmates to Christ but also to create a new environment among prisoners. “The Department of Corrections (DOC) really like Kairos because the inmates' attitudes change. It changes the dynamic of the prison and what they’ve learned influences those around them,” says Louie Warren, Continuing Ministry Coordinator. Bough adds the benefit is not only for the prisoners and those working there but for the community as well. JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

“It’s a calming effect in the facility,” he says. “It lowers stress and curbs violence but also reduces recidivism. These people will be our neighbors, so it’s a good thing for the community too.” Volunteers are needed in many capacities. Not only can men and women apply to work within the facility’s weekend or weekly activities, the group brings in 1,200 dozen cookies each weekend and needs bakers to make the homemade treats. Children in churches and some schools create placemats, financial donations are always needed and above all - prayer. “Prayer is the most important ingredient,” Bough adds. “We ask churches to sign up for half hour time periods to pray for the weekend and the inmates themselves.” Those prayer chains are put together for a visual reminder and hung along the room for guests to see the number of people praying for them. Many that touch the ministry in whatever capacity can remember the feeling they first had with their involvement.

At Conner Prairie, you can go wherever your imagination takes you. With hundreds of acres to explore, including our newly reimagined River Crossing experience area, we’re igniting curiosity and inspiring guests to discover new lessons in the natural world that surrounds us.

“It changed me. Not only does it change the participants, but it changes the volunteers,” Warren says. “Kairos is not for wimps,” Bough adds. “This is serious, mission-driven volunteer work and our volunteers have huge hearts. They are so committed to this.” To volunteer with Kairos Ministry, visit kairosofindiana.org or kairosprisonministry.org. JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

A Place for Families Join us at Kingsway Christian Church this Summer R I B F E ST W E E K E N D

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Hendricks County RibFest Presented by Avon Chamber of Commerce. 4â&#x20AC;&#x201C;9:30pm, free admission, $5 parking Food vendors, live music, games for kids. SUNDAY, JULY 1

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Hendricks County Senior Services Provides a Place For Seniors to Stay Active Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Darren Boston

A new national study called the “Community Assessment of Older Adults” was just released that surveyed seniors aged 60 or older to determine how enamored older adults are with their communities. A whopping 97 percent of survey participants in Hendricks County identified their community as an excellent place to retire.

to a friend as a good place to live.

Health and IU Health West).

“That shows that they love this community enough to want others to join them,” Keers says. “That’s just what we want to hear because our goal is to help our clients live independent, active, creative, fun lives.”

They teach seniors how to prevent falls and build strength because the number one fear of aging adults is that they will be injured in a fall. Staff will go into seniors’ homes and pick up all the rugs and replace burned-out light bulbs. For someone with mobility issues, they might loan out walkers or wheelchairs. All of these things reduce the chance of falling in the home.

HCSS promotes healthy living by providing a number of support services, engaging activities and effective programming designed to keep people “We are definitely celebrating that,” independent for as long as possible. This says Marina Keers, Executive Director includes group exercise classes, such as of Hendricks County Senior Services Chair Yoga that attracts roughly 40 seniors (HCSS). In addition, seniors reported that per week and exercising programming they would recommend Hendricks County (they partner with Hendricks Regional JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

“This is a big deal because a broken hip is a huge risk factor to being placed in a nursing home,” Keers says. The HCSS operates a senior center in

Danville that offers a variety of recreational, educational and social opportunities for seniors. “It’s like a community center but for older adults,” Keers says. “People come play cards, enjoy a cup of coffee, maybe partake in an exercise class then head home for the afternoon.” While some seniors may drop by the center just once or twice a month, others show up daily because they relish the social time. “We love to see that because we hate for anyone to feel isolated or alone,” says Keers, noting that this year they have served 5,000 older adults and family caregivers in Hendricks County. According to Becky Maher, Activities Coordinator at HCSS, community members tell her that the senior center

has changed their lives because it gives them a reason to move, get out of the house and meet new friends. “One person told me that the exercise classes have helped reduce her shoulder pain and improve her walking,” Maher says. “She said that Hendricks County Senior Services is a blessing to the community.” Four decades ago, when HCSS opened its doors, the number one request

from community members was for transportation. People need rides to medical appointments, the grocery store or the barber or beauty shop. Ever since 1978, HCSS has provided the LINK program, the Hendricks County Public Transit system. It’s an ADA-compliant senior-friendly transportation service that shuttles seniors for just $3-$4 a trip. “We take the frailest individual who needs to go to dialysis multiple times a week to the very vibrant person who perhaps has

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vision problems that prevent them from driving,” Keers says. The center operates from the generous support of the community and the users of the program who donate money. Though they sometimes have to charge for supplies or equipment, they try to keep things as affordable as possible so that those who need the services can access them. HCSS also employs staff and volunteers who help seniors in their homes with services ranging from light housekeeping to assistance with bathing. In addition, they provide support groups for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, vision loss and diabetes that are well attended by family and community members. They even have several trained volunteers who provide free expert consultation to seniors regarding Medicare. “Many of our seniors have never picked a healthcare plan before because their employer has always done it for them so getting some unbiased advice is very helpful,” Keers says. In addition, this year, with the help of JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

volunteers, the HCSS completed over 1,000 tax returns during the months of January, February and March. “We’re always bringing in new programming that might help meet a need,” Keers adds. The HCSS’s mission is to keep seniors as independent for as long as possible. According to Keers, approximately a quarter of older adults in Hendricks County are at risk of premature placement in a nursing home. “Individuals deserve to live with independence and dignity, and we want to support that,” Keers says. “Plus, from a practical and economic perspective, living independently is the most cost-effective way for society to operate because avoiding nursing home care is saving the support system in our community millions of dollars every year.” Obviously, caregivers are a critical

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component in keeping older adults independent for as long as possible. That’s why the HCSS does everything from aiding in transporting someone to their cancer treatment to providing a meal to helping out with cleaning services. “All of these things help seniors live independently and give caregivers a much-needed break,” Keers says. “One of the biggest risks to premature institutionalization is having a burnt-out caregiver. We want to support that person so they can prolong caregiving.” Prime Time Expo, the annual summer health fair, is hugely popular, as is their fall flu shot clinic. Folks 60 and over (and their spouses) also flock to the weekday lunches provided through Central Indiana Council on Aging — some days the meals draw upwards of 80 people.

“People enjoy being with others while they dine,” Keers says. “They like getting out and having that network of support and friendship.” Such camaraderie is one reason Bingo still reigns supreme. Though Keers wondered if people would tire of this age-old game, she’s actually witnessed the opposite trend. “We’re seeing more and more younger seniors attend Bingo,” she says. “They enjoy the social aspect of it. Plus, who doesn’t like to win?” Keers feels privileged to be able to work with a team of caring, compassionate staff members and volunteers. She also loves, as she says, to “hang out with everybody else’s grandparents.” “The individuals at the senior center are the retired teaches you loved when you were a kid,” Keers says. “They’re the policeman who lived down the street

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from you or the lady who always smiled at you at the grocery store in your youth. Their stories are amazing, and it’s such a privilege that people trust us to help them with such an important part of their life’s journey.” Hendricks County Senior Services is located at 1201 Sycamore Lane in Danville. For more information, call 317-745-4303, e-mail admin@ hendricksseniors.org or visit hcseniors. org/wp.

Upcoming Events July 11: Prime Time Expo Summer Health Fair, 9-noon, at the HC Fairgrounds August 14: Concert by local musicians at the Royal Theater in Danville. Time TBA.

The kids are on summer break and summer is in full swing, and as you might guess, temperatures in Indiana tend to climb the highest during the month of July. As you’re planning for the next family outing or kids’ sporting event, make sure you’re staying hydrated. While the human body can tolerate dehydration for short periods of time (a few hours), ongoing dehydration will affect your overall health. In addition to feeling thirsty, signs of dehydration include dry mouth, dizziness and fatigue. “Sometimes dehydration can occur simply from not drinking enough water,” says Dr. Mohamed Homsi, cardiac electrophysiologist at Indiana University Health West Hospital. “Other times it can be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, high fever or increased urination.”

Excessive sweating can also lead to dehydration. “You lose water when you sweat, so that’s why it’s important to replace fluids in your body,” Dr. Homsi says. “During the summer months, as we’re spending more time outside, it’s even more important to intentionally hydrate our bodies.” The amount of water you should drink each day is dependent on many factors, including your health and lifestyle. A good rule of thumb is to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, but some people may need more and others less. Talk with your doctor to find a good baseline for you. Can sports drinks help with hydration? According to experts, there’s a time and place for sports drinks if you exercise regularly.

JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

“When used as intended – to replenish fluids after true physical exertion- sports drinks can be a good option,” Dr. Homsi says. “Sports drinks can re-supply the body with fluid, electrolytes and carbohydrate calories that are lost during a workout.” If you don’t need a sports drink, try to stick with water. Add flavoring to your water with lemon, lime mint or cucumber. Drinking lots of water is a healthy habit that is often learned from parents. Teach kids to drink enough water so that their urine is almost clear. And yes, this means they’ll probably be going to the bathroom more often throughout the day. Dehydration is a common problem, but the solution is an easy one. Drinking lots of water is part of a healthy lifestyle that can help avoid health problems and medical interventions later.

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All Pre-Schools Aren’t the Same Did you know that research tells us that 90% of brain architecture is formed by age five? Did you know that character development and spiritual formation is nearly complete by the age of 8? This puts a whole new emphasis on the early years. The first five years matter more than ever! At Kingsway, we are proud to offer preschool programs that nurture, delight and guide children. Kingsway Christian School recognizes that parents have a big job when they select a school partner for their family. We also know parents have lots of questions and sometimes even worries about choosing the right place for their child to start school. How do we know? We listen to them. Kingsway Christian School preschool programs are built around what parents want most. Parents tell us they want their child to be nurtured and loved. They want a safe environment; free from threat. They want their child to discover how the world works and enjoy learning without being hurried. They want their child to develop character and compassion for others. Most parents also want their children to understand that there is a Big God, Who made the universe, and Who still delights in the child’s heart. At KCS, we understand this and believe wholeheartedly in the power and importance of partnering with families to shepherd and nurture the hearts and minds of our smallest people. We do this by employing a caring, professional team of degreed, certified teachers. They create engaging environments, involve families and communicate with them regularly. With a 1 to 10 teacher/student ratio, we believe that growth happens best when a student is known. Growth inevitably takes place with a balance of play, small and large group learning, and lots of opportunity to build, construct, create, move, sing, imagine, read, draw, listen, and share. So don’t wait! Full day and part day programs are available for 3 year-olds, 4 year-olds and nearly 5 year-olds who might be just short of kindergarten cut off dates. Please contact Shelley Notter snotter@kingswayschool.org, or Renee Fishburn rfishburn@kingswayschool.org if you have questions about the program or want to arrange a visit. You can also check us out at www.kingswayschool.org. KCS is a tremendous opportunity in the heart of the Avon community that will set your child on the right path and give them every chance to reach their God given potential.

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Former Make-a-Wish Child Pursuing Nursing Degree So She Can Give Back Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Kiefer Family

Karyn Kiefer was just 15 years old when sharp, stabbing back pain began to incapacitate her. “I missed more school than I can count,” says Karyn, who recalls sitting on the kitchen floor sobbing. Her mom, Kim, desperate for answers, took Karyn to multiple doctors, each one chalking up the discomfort to growing pains or sore muscles from competitive swimming. Cortisone shots proved to be futile as did every other treatment offered.

Finally, after two years of excruciating pain, Karyn, a senior at the time, was told by a Riley physician: “The good news is that I know what’s causing your pain. The bad news is that you’re going to have to go out of state to fix it.” Ultimately, she had a mass on her spine. To shrink it would require proton therapy (a controlled form of radiation). Since only a handful of doctors provide the service, Karyn was given the option of traveling to either Illinois, Tennessee or Texas. They chose Chicago for a month-long series of treatments. To add to the stress, during Karyn’s first JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

session, the family got word that her dad, Kerry, had lost his job. Thankfully, insurance came through her mom’s work, though proton therapy is extremely expensive, so despite insurance approving 18 treatments, even now, two years later, the family is still paying off their medical bills. Towards the end of Karyn’s treatments, a woman walked up to her and asked, “What do you want your Make-a-Wish trip to be?” Make-a-Wish Foundation is an organization that grants vacation wishes to children diagnosed with critical illnesses. Karyn was eligible since she had received lifethreatening radiation treatments that exposed her other organs.

Following high school graduation in June 2016, a pink limousine pulled up to Karyn’s house to whisk Karyn, her parents, and sister Katelynn to the airport. They were headed to Disney World! “When we landed in Orlando, there were two good looking firefighters waiting to greet me,” says Karyn, who was 18 at the time. “My sister was bright red, but I loved it.” The family stayed at the Polynesian Resort where each morning they dined on waffles shaped like Mickey Mouse ears. Their first stop was the Magic Kingdom where the family rode every ride in record time since they got to cut to the front of the Fast Pass lines. While there, Karyn learned that there was a restaurant called The Crystal Palace where Winnie the Pooh characters mingle with diners as they eat. Karyn desperately wanted to see her favorite character, Eeyore, but didn’t have a reservation to the popular dining hot spot. Crew members pulled some strings, however, and got the family a table, allowing Karyn to hug her precious donkey. While in Orlando, the family also visited Animal Kingdom, Sea World and Universal Studios. Plus, they squeezed in parasailing and indoor skydiving. When they returned home, Karyn had to do her due diligence where her health was concerned, initially going in for an MRI every month. With each “all clear” that she received, however, the check-ups extended a bit — first to three months, then six months. This past spring, she was told she didn’t have to return again for a year. Thankfully, the mass, which Karyn playfully named “Fred,” continues to shrink. And she hasn’t been in pain since just before her Make-a-Wish trip. Prior to her health crisis, Karyn had always aspired to be a teacher, but when she was sick, she had a nurse who served to alter the course of her dreams. Though Karyn didn’t spend a great deal of time with her doctor, the same couldn’t be said for Brooke, the nurse who was assigned to her case. JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

“Brooke made me feel comfortable and safe throughout that whole ordeal, making sure that not only I was okay but that my family was okay, too,” Karyn says. “A nurse is kind of like a second mother when you’re stuck in a hospital. I was grateful to have such an awesome one.” Karyn felt that pediatric nursing would be the perfect way to blend her old passion with her new one — caring for little boys and girls, helping to make them feel safe and secure. Karyn, currently a nursing student at IUPUI, works as a nurse’s aide at Hendricks Regional Health in Danville, picking up several 12-hour shifts a week. She takes patients’ vital signs, helps keep them clean and works on their circulation by getting them up and moving. Now that she’s the caregiver, she’s the one who gets to comfort patients and their families. “I’ve bonded with a lot of my patients,” Karyn says. “Some of them send me sweet

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messages through Facebook, telling how much I meant to them. Those kinds of notes reinforce that I’ve picked the right career.” Karyn also recently launched Heavenly Handmade, a scrapbooking, card, stationery business that helps supplement her income while also feeding her creative genius. She came up with the name as a result of her health scare. “God got me through every bad thing I faced,” she says. “Everything is heavenly homemade from Him.” When she was really sick, however, and struggling to find a diagnosis, she wrestled with her faith for a time. “I wondered why God wasn’t doing anything for me,” she says. “I was frustrated because no doctor was able to figure me out. After awhile, I questioned if God was even real.” Ultimately, she felt God’s love working through her mom, who never left her side. “She cried with me and rubbed my back when I was in agony. She never gave up,” says Karyn, who ultimately found her way back to Christ and now attends Plainfield Christian Church. As Karyn returned to her faith roots, it was her creative projects that kept her going. “It was healing to make stuff so I like sharing that gift with others,” says Karyn, who makes custom cards for weddings, birthdays, baby showers and special events. She has also fashioned ornate home decorations out of mason jars, created a wine glass holder and is working on a family tree project. After Karyn obtains her nursing degree, she hopes to get a job at Riley Hospital as a pediatric nurse. In addition, someday Karyn wants to volunteer as a Make-a-Wish coordinator so that she can help others’ dreams come true. “That’s definitely in my future,” she says. To check out Karyn’s creations, visit facebook.com/heavenly.hmade/.

JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

Bethesda Christian School has been invited to the 2018 Indiana Advanced Placement® (AP) Recognition Ceremony. This event recognizes schools where at least 25% of the graduating class cohort earned a score of 3 or higher on at least one AP exam. BCS was one of only 71 schools recognized at this event.

BCS welcomes Mitch Hammersley as our new elementary principal and director of preschool. Mitch comes to us from Cumberland Road Elementary in the Hamilton Southeastern Schools where he has been serving as assistant principal. Mitch has a natural passion for teaching and a humble servant led leadership. He is the result of many prayers here at Bethesda Christian Schools. Mitch and his family live in Brownsburg and have been members at Connection Point Church for the past few years. Mitch has an extensive resumé, but in his words “I can’t wait to start serving our Lord alongside you! Keep praying for our school community, and keep dreaming of all that we will accomplish together to make Jesus known.”

Ethan Ferguson, a 2018 BCS graduate completed his first appearance on the IU Cheer Squad in the 500 Festival Parade. Ethan will be attending IU in the fall to become a math teacher. Ethan

Discover what being a part of the BCS family really means. CONTACT US TODAY: 7950 N CR 650 E • Brownsburg, IN 46112 • (317) 858-2820

HENDRICKS COUNTY WOMAN MAKES FULL RECOVERY AFTER MEDICAL SCARE Writer / Heather Chastain Photography provided by Guingrich Family

A Hendricks County woman nearly died after an artery in her heart ruptured 10 days after giving birth to a healthy baby boy. Stephanie Guingrich, 40, is a mother of three. She has a 12-year-old step-daughter, a 4-year-old daughter and a baby boy named Ryan born November 9, 2017. With no known health issues, learning she

has suffered a coronary artery dissection, the result of spontaneous tearing in the coronary artery wall of the heart, less than two weeks after giving birth was a shock.

Her husband, Adam, filled in most of the details because Stephanie’s memory is still fuzzy about the incident several months later.

“I’ve always been healthy, no medical conditions. I’d never been the E.R. before,” Stephanie says. “I had an easy pregnancy and a successful c-section, but shortly after I came home, I started to feel chest pain.”

“The problem started 3-4 days after she got home from the hospital,” Adam says. “One day I had this pain in my chest and I called the doctor. When the nurse called back, she said the doctor said to go to the emergency room,” she says.

JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

Certain it was just anxiety over her new baby, she ignored the pain. Then Sunday morning November 19, 2017, she realized she was in trouble. “Stephanie was downstairs with the kids, nursing Ryan. She told me she had leaned over a little to adjust the baby and heard a pop in her back and then began feeling horrible chest pain,” Adam says.

minutes to save her. I knew I needed to get her oxygen and to get her heart going again to preserve her brain function.” Adam raced to the Avon-Washington Township Fire Department and started banging on the garage doors until he got someone’s attention. It took 5 guys to pull her out of the passenger seat, onto a stretcher and into the ambulance.

“The fire fighters said I couldn’t ride with them because they needed ‘to work on her.’ That’s what they said. They were vague. I knew that meant they were going to have to shock her,” he says. At IU West, a firefighter told Adam, ‘we brought her back [to life],” he recalled. “And all the doctors would tell me is ‘she’s really sick. That’s when I realized this was not

Her 4-year-old daughter started yelling upstairs, “Daddy! Daddy! Mommy needs you,” Adam says. “Then I hear Stephanie yell, ‘Adam, I need you!’ I could tell her in her voice something was really wrong.” When Adam came downstairs he said she was white and sweating profusely. He thought she was having an anxiety attack. He says Stephanie is always concerned about nursing and making sure their son was getting enough milk. The baby had lost some weight after they brought him home from the hospital, so milk production and his consumption had made her anxious for several days. “I got her a washcloth and some water and told her to calm down and take some deep breaths and then she said, ‘I think you need to call 911.’” Adam called his parents, who live down the street, to come stay with the kids. During the drive to the hospital, Adam continued to talk to Stephanie and ask her what was wrong and what she was feeling. “I just kept saying ‘Hang on hon, I’ll get you there,” he says. Then a moment later, Stephanie said, ‘I think I’m going to pass out.’” Adam says she stopped breathing, her eyes rolled back in her head, arms went stiff and he heard her make a gurgling sound. “In 1997, I witnessed by younger brother pass away from cancer. He made that same gurgling sound right before he passed,” Adam says. Then he said she turned an unusual color of yellow gray. “Instantly I knew she was dead, and I had less than 5

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good at all. I started to realize Stephanie may not make it back home with me.” Still unsure exactly what had happened, doctors told Adam they thought she either had a brain aneurism, a heart attack or a clogged artery. At this point Stephanie is on life support in a medically induced coma, tied to the bed as they typically do in these cases. Doctors told Adam she would remain this way for several days while the heart healed. Her ejection fraction, or EF, was at 24. A normal heart is at 60. Doctors said she needed to get hers to at least 50 or she would have to have a pace maker or a defibrillator. “I was so sad. So emotional. I was a mess. I started having flashbacks to when my brother was fighting cancer. With that

many tubes coming out of her, I just knew she wasn’t going to make it,” Adam says. “All I could think about was how I was going to tell the kids their mom wasn’t coming home and how I was going to raise three kids alone. It was horrible. I was feeling the highest of highs just days before. I had a son and I was able to pay tribute to my brother by naming the baby after him. Now I was at the lowest of lows.”

had dozed off and awoke to nurses frantic around Stephanie.

Finally, seven hours later, doctors allowed Adam to see her. “She looked terrible. Machines were breathing for her and they warned me she would be ice cold. Doctors also warned me if she comes out of this coma, she would have amnesia,” he says.

Just as the doctors had warned, Stephanie had amnesia.

“She had managed to lean up while restrained and pulled the breathing tube out of her mouth and was breathing completely on her own. She was expected to stay in the coma for days and less than 12 hours later she was alert and breathing,” Adam recalls.

“She remembered me and the kids, but she thought she was still in the hospital because she had just had the baby. She didn’t know the date or other facts. She just kept asking for the baby. She said she Adam sat by her bedside in a state of constant prayer. Early the next morning, he wanted the baby and she wanted to nurse JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

him,” Adam says. “I remember saying, ‘I can’t stay here, I’ve got to go,’” Stephanie says. After a five- day stay in the hospital, Stephanie came come home with a life alert vest and still no diagnosis about what happened to her. This vest was designed to monitor her heard function and shock her if necessary. Fortunately, she never had to be shocked. It took a couple of weeks to get her memory back. Short term memory was still a problem. One month after coming home from the hospital, she went to Methodist Hospital for an MRI. It was then doctors finally diagnosed her with a coronary artery dissection, the result of spontaneous tearing in the coronary artery wall of the heart. Doctors said the stress of the pregnancy on a then 39-year-old woman was the cause.

happened. Once I came home, I really didn’t feel that bad,” Stephanie says.

“I was still in denial about what

“I was so happy and the doctors were

Fortunately, her EF went up to 59 and she didn’t need a pace maker or defibrillator. It needed to be above 50.

Firepits & Fireplaces

shocked because most people don’t have a complete recovery,” she says. “She’s a fighter,” Adam’s mom said with a grateful smile on her face. She’s still under a doctor’s care, but Stephanie continues to remain healthy and happy with her family.

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The Avon Farmers Market brings fresh produce, baked goods and handcrafted items to Avon residents. South Parking Lot of the Avon HRH Building 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

No registration required 8U and 14U age groups Washington Township Basketball Court 10:00am – 11:00am Free

The Plainfield Farmers Market brings fresh produce, baked goods and handcrafted items to Plainfield residents. Lawn of the Plainfield Friends Meeting at US 40 & SR 267 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

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HUMMEL PARK CONCERT SERIES – THE OUTCASTS & HENDRICKS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

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AVON POLICE DEPARTMENT K9 UNIT HELPS KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Darren Boston

Sgt. Tom Owens had been with the Avon Police Department (APD) for three years when he applied to become a K9 handler in 2008. The APD uses both “single” and “dual” purpose dogs. As the name implies, dualpurpose canines serve two functions: patrol and drug. Patrol dogs track people, search buildings, & aid in apprehensions. Drug dogs search for narcotics. Single purpose dogs only focus on one thing — usually to find drugs and sometimes bombs. The department’s first dog was Brent, a single purpose drug dog, handled by Sgt. Jeff Lewis from 2003-2008. Owens, who became supervisor of APD’s K9 unit in 2010, handled Hunter until he retired in 2016. Now Owens handles 4-year-old Nero, a dual purpose patrol/drug dog. Thanks to grant money from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, in the past year the department has acquired two additional dogs whose main purpose is to help curb the town’s heroin problem. Handler Steve Kasprzyk works with a one and a halfyear-old single purpose canine named Indo and handler Eric Hollingsworth works with a 2-year-old dual purpose dog named Lance.

All are German Shepherds, a breed that has historically been used as a police or military dog. When Owens first began working with the K9 unit he wasn’t sure how he would like it. Now, a decade later, he can’t imagine not having a canine by his side. For starters, dogs can check an area 10 times faster than humans, so if officers have a search warrant for a whole house or building, a dog can quickly narrow the search. “If a dog points us to a certain room, we don’t have to tear apart the whole house,” Owens says. “It really saves time.” In addition, they can expedite search situations. For instance, should someone refuse police access to search a premise but a dog smells drugs, that provides probable cause for officers to conduct a search. When criminals flee on foot, dogs come in handy as criminals often conceal themselves in woods, fields or other tricky spots. Scents lead the way much faster than eyeballs and flashlights. Officers also use canines to search school lockers, classrooms and vehicles. AvonMagazine.com / JULY 2018 / AVON MAGAZINE / 49

“These searches not only catch kids with stuff but also serves as a deterrent when students see the police presence on campus,” Owens adds. Officers sometimes use dogs during traffic stops if they want to search a car and the driver won’t allow it. “The dog will run around it and we’ll immediately know if there are drugs in the vehicle,” says Owens, who was called to assist with a traffic stop on the interstate. Owens ran Nero around the car and he hit on drugs. Officers then searched the vehicle and found 20 pounds of marijuana. Operating a K9 unit doesn’t come cheap. The typical purchase price of a dog runs between $7,000 to $10,000. A kennel is an additional $3,000. General equipment such as leashes, harnesses and bowls is another $1,000, vet costs are roughly $500 a year, and food is $500 to $1,000 annually. The APD does their own training, which saves $5,000. But to ensure a dog’s safety, alarms are installed in squad cars to prevent overheating. If the temperature climbs to a certain point inside the vehicle, windows will roll down and the horn will start to honk. So, in total, to get a dog up and

running is between $10,000 and $15,000. For narcotics school, canines typically go through 3-4 weeks of training. They start by “imprinting” on them the narcotics they want them to find. In Avon, that includes marijuana, meth amphetamines, heroin, ecstasy and cocaine. Handlers teach the dogs to search luggage, vehicles, buildings or lockers. From there, the canines get to where they can search any situation. “It’s all about learning to follow their nose,” Owens says.

a scent we want them to follow so we’ll have other people cross the track and teach the dogs to stay on the original scent,” Owens says. “We don’t want them veering off onto another one.” To become a K9 handler, officers endure an application and interview process to determine if it’s a good fit. Ensuring a good fit is crucial because being paired with a dog 24/7 is a huge commitment. “At the end of a work day, I can’t just go home, take off the uniform and release all responsibility,” Owens says.

For the patrol side, it takes 4-6 weeks of training. The main focus is on human odor and teaching the dogs to stay on track. To train them for that, they run cross-track.

Handlers are responsible for their dog’s care, including vet appointments, medications, flea & tick prevention and annual shots. Plus, caring for a high-drive dog can be exhausting. “Energy-wise, these dogs are off the hook,” Owens says. “They want to be on the go round the clock.”

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Sgt. Tom Owens & Nero

on the job, however, because when these dogs are hunting for a perpetrator, they do not slow down. “When they’re following their noses, we’re flapping like a flag in the wind behind them as they drag us along,” Owens says. “But that’s exactly what we want them to do.” To keep dogs in both physical and mental shape, all 15 dogs in Hendricks County and their handlers are required to participate in obedience, search and tracking drills (completing at least 16 hours of training a month). “We meet together as a county twice a month to train with everyone,” Owens says. This is when they put guys in bite suits and practice bite decoy drills. Or they lay tracks so the dogs can smell other people, which is good practice. They also do dope training. Given the nature of the strenuous job, the dogs

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can get hurt and sick.

Patrolman Steve Kasprzyk & Indominus

“They have to go where the bad guy went and oftentimes that’s dangerous,” Owens adds. “They could get stuck on a fence. They could encounter a skunk, opossum or raccoon. They could wander into something poisonous. This isn’t the Paw Park or some other controlled environment. They’re constantly being exposed to hazardous situations.” A dog’s longevity on the force is dependent on his personality, his drive but mostly his health. The average age of a K9 officer is eight years old, though Owens’ first dog Hunter worked until he was 11. Others have been forced to retire after a handful of years. Once a dog retires, he’s signed over to his handler. At that point, the handler would normally be responsible for the dog’s medical bills. But APD covers all medical expenses for its retired canines. One of Owens’ favorite memories involves his retired dog Hunter. He was fresh out of patrol school when Hunter tracked a perpetrator to the rail yard and nabbed him in the woods. Later that night, Owens got a call about someone breaking into cars in an assisted living facility off of Dan Jones. Hunter scented the guy from 150 yards away, hiding in a soybean field. “To get two finds in one night — I was on Cloud Nine!” says Owens, who has dreamed of becoming a police officer ever since he was a little boy growing up on the west side of Indy. “The captain of the Plainfield PD lived across the street from me and I thought he had the coolest job on the planet,” Owens says. Though he considered pursuing a career as a mechanic, aptitude tests showed that he was a good fit for law enforcement. “Now I’ve got the best job in the world,” he says. And the fact that he gets a four-legged partner makes life even sweeter. To make a donation to the APD K9 services, visit the Avon Public Safety Foundation link on the police department website or contact Sgt. Owens at towens@avongov.org.

Eric Hollingsworth & Lance 52 / AVON MAGAZINE / JULY 2018 / AvonMagazine.com

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Kim Morgan / kim@kimmorgan.net / 317-698-9927 / www.kimmorgan.net AvonMagazine.com / JULY 2018 / AVON MAGAZINE / 53

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