Radio Friendly
Shane Ray Talks 10-Year History of WYRZ
Igniting Passion
Indy Ignite Gearing Up For Inaugural Season
KEEPING PACE
BROOKE HELM IS TAKING THE NEXT STEP IN HER DANCE CAREER AS AN INDIANA PACEMATE
6 KEEPING PACE
Brooke Helm Is Taking the Next Step in Her Dance Career as an Indiana Pacemate
12 RADIO FRIENDLY Shane Ray Talks 10-Year History of WYRZ
16
IGNITING PASSION
Indy Ignite Gearing Up For Inaugural Season 20 CLUB MENTALITY
Avon High School Interact Club Continues Annual Prom Sale Among Other Endeavors
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KEEPING PACE
BROOKE HELM IS TAKING THE NEXT STEP IN HER DANCE CAREER AS AN INDIANA PACEMATE
Writer / Melissa Gibson Photography / Indiana Pacers
rooke Helm has always loved entertaining.
She was the young girl who started taking dance lessons when she was just 2 years old. She joined the Hendricks Civic Theatre and loved the creative outlet.
She was a cheerleader, played volleyball and ran track in middle school. Through it all she danced at the The Dancer’s Place in Avon, and by the time she was starting high school, she had been on a stage more than most.
It was in high school, however, when dance began to rise to the top of the list of activities Helm wanted to pursue the most.
“I remember participating in a dance routine,” she said. “It was a sassy, jazzy number with some of the older girls and people were coming up to me afterward saying I was meant to be a dancer. I think it was then that I realized I was an entertainer.
TUESDAYS
I loved every minute of it: the atmosphere, getting dressed up, the works.”
As a freshman Helm joined the junior varsity Avon High School dance team, and by the time she was a sophomore, she was dancing varsity. The Avon graduate danced through her senior year and knew she wanted to continue her passion in college.
She put in hours of hard work, and like most things in life, there were ups and downssuccesses and failures.
She auditioned for the IU RedStepper dance team during her freshman year in college but didn’t make the cut. It never stopped Helm from practicing, improving and shooting for her dreams.
“I didn’t make it that first year but tried out again as a sophomore, and it was the best three years of my life,” Helm said.
Not only were the remainder of Helm’s
college days filled with practices, games and competitions, but the IU RedSteppers even brought home a national championship last year in the Spirit Rally division - a great way to end her time with the college dance team. She graduated from IU with a public health degree and serves as a nursing assistant at Hendricks Regional Health. As one of her favorite experiences came to an end at the college level, Helm knew she wasn’t ready to close the chapter on dancing just yet.
Outside of her day job, Helm is one of the Indiana Pacer’s newest Pacemates. Pacer fans and sports enthusiasts might be interested to know just how strenuous and difficult the dancing process can be.
“It’s more cutthroat that people would assume,” Helm said. “The audition process is weeks long. It starts months before you hear who made the team, and there are many who try out multiple years in a row.”
Knowing the challenge, Helm was
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FRIDAYS
SATURDAYS
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determined to do what it took, even if it took several years.
“I’ve seen a lot of girls try out for a few years, and I just figured I’d keep going and we’d see what happened,” she said. “I went to a clinic that had coaches from the Colts cheer program and the Pacemates, and they chose two people to get a golden ticket; it was a free pass to all of the upcoming clinics, and me and another girl got the golden ticket. I think that was the first time I thought, ‘I could really do this.’”
Several of Helm’s RedStepper teammates chose to audition for the Colts Cheerleaders. She said NFL and NBA dancers tend to have different and distinctive styles. NFL dancing often means high energy on the sidelines, and using palms. NBA dancing has more of
a hip-hop feel and increased audience engagement.
Helm said she wanted to lean toward the Pacemate style and performance.
“I knew I wanted to try out for a pro team,” she said. “I liked the NBA style, and I think I’m the only RedStepper that tried
out for an NBA team this year and the first to ever be on an NBA team.”
She’s accustomed to dancing nearly every day, practicing multiple times per week, and putting in hours of hard work to learn routines and staying physically fit.
As a Pacemate, Helm said she does
Brooke during her time dancing for AHS
The dream started at an early age
something to prepare herself for at least two hours every day.
“Whether you’re stretching, working out or learning a routine, you have to be prepared physically, but mentally as well,” Helm said.
There may not be competitions as a Pacemate, but there are 41 home games. They rarely repeat a dance you’ve already seen, and they attend numerous public appearances throughout the year.
It’s a different feeling than her days as a RedStepper, but Helm can already sense the camaraderie and friendships being made this season.
“It’s a transition to go from a team of 34 with RedSteppers to 18 with Pacemates,” she said. “There’s a different age range. We have some women with a husband and a house, and another is still a student, so it provides a different dynamic. In my mind we’re all the same age, so there’s a great sisterhood bond there.”
In the coming years, Helm hopes to go back to school for a registered nurse license, and she’s currently teaching at TDP Dance Company in Avon.
She can see herself in the young dancers attending classes.
“I remember being that little girl once, who had no idea she would be where I am today,” she said. “They don’t realize how far they can go, and to have a teacher that can share experience, tips and tricks, and encourage them is, hopefully, passing it on.”
She plans to dance for several more years, provided she continues making the team. Pacemates audition each year, and Helm said the audition starts and continues the day you step out on the floor.
Coaches are watching how hard each dancer works, how they interact with each other and how they inspire the community.
It’s something Helm does naturally.
Even now, whether serving in her capacity at the hospital or cheering for the Indiana Pacers basketball team, it’s all about bringing a smile to someone’s face.
“I’m a big people person,” she said. “I think seeing their smile or a reaction to something I’m doing is one of my passions in life. I was meant to be doing this. I think it’s one of my callings to take care of others, and entertaining is a part of that in some ways.”
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RADIO FRIENDLY
SHANE RAY TALKS 10-YEAR HISTORY OF WYRZ
Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographer / Amy Payne
Fans of Brownsburg’s local FM radio station WYRZ might be surprised to learn the station’s team will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025.
It all started with a young boy’s love for radio.
“I’ve been interested in radio since I was 5 years old,” said Shane Ray, executive director of the Hendricks County Educational Media Corporation. “We had a friend on the radio back in the days of turntables and way before digital. I always liked it. I thought it was just fascinating.”
Ray took audio-visual classes in school,
worked for the local radio station in high school, and eventually joined a corporateowned station. Ray learned his passion for the local, community-centric radio station there, but it wasn’t until many years later when the opportunity for a station in his hometown became available.
“My wife and I moved to Brownsburg and we would go to chamber luncheons and other business functions in the county,” he said. “WKLU was in Brownsburg at the time. It was sold and moved to Indianapolis and people were talking about it. They missed their local station so I used my experience and said, ‘Let’s see what we can do.’”
He purchased some hobby equipment, picked up a small AM signal and began doing what he had learned many years before: reporting on the high school basketball games, interviewing town council members and highlighting nonprofits in the area.
Members of the community praised the AM station, but also expressed a desire for an FM station they could pick up while traveling in the car and around the local community. On the AM station, listeners could only access it from a half-mile away.
“I couldn’t do anything about that until the FCC opened up some channels, but the biggest thing was, they only opened it up to nonprofits,” Ray said. “So we started a nonprofit and got things rolling. It was a big boost for the station. You could hear it all over the county, up to Zionsville and the west side of Indianapolis.”
They were already reaching out to local high schools and colleges, offering internships.
“Within our first year of being on air, we had a Brownsburg High School student,” Ray said. “Since then they’ve mostly come from Brownsburg, but we’ve had Avon High School students and Tri-West students.”
Passing on his passion for radio is important to Ray, and he takes care to give each intern the full experience. It’s not uncommon for a student to walk in and say they don’t want to be on the air, and that they’re interested in production, journalism or another related field.
“I always tell them, ‘That’s great,’ but you’re going to have the history of radio, FCC requirements, and a broad understanding of all the departments that make a radio work, from sales to technology,” Ray said. “We’re cramming a lot of information into their heads, but hopefully when they decide what they want to do, they have a full understanding.”
Staff at the station have seen some success
from previous interns. Some have gone on to work as news anchors, producers, radio hosts and more.
Looking back, Ray is grateful for the various opportunities that have come along over the years.
“I feel like it’s a lot of smaller things that make the station,” he said. “Just getting on the air was a great day. I remember flipping the switch, turning the power on and telling Hendricks County, ‘This is your radio station; this is for you.’”
He’s interviewed Charlie Daniels, Ted Danson, Mike Pence and others, but it might be the local ties that mean a little more.
“I love to hear the success stories,” he said. “We’ve done a story about a local author, and she updates us on the book and has another one coming out. We promote our nonprofits who have nowhere else to go to run this information for free. That’s what it’s all about. That’s what we’ve been trying to do all along.”
The nonprofit station is primarily operated by volunteers, and there have been many by Ray’s side from the beginning.
“I would be a fish out of water if I didn’t have Brian Scott on the team,” he said. “He’s the morning guy and handles a lot of the technical problems. He’s a large part of why the station runs as smoothly as it does. Bruce Quinn was the former owner of WKLU and still helps advise us on equipment changes and FCC recommendations. My wife, Theresa, helps keep everything straight on the business side of things, and we’ve had numerous adult volunteers that have asked for a time slot. Rarely do we say, ‘We don’t have a spot for you.’”
They’ve also had many sponsors and supporters over the years.
It’s difficult to raise funds when they don’t need material items like food for a food pantry or clothing for a local clothes closet. Yet, the station has to replace equipment
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Interviewing former Governor Mike Pence
Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting for original station, WXRB
from time to time, and royalty fees for playing music aren’t decreasing any time soon.
Ray said to name just one or two sponsors would be unfair, but three or four larger sponsors keep the transmitter humming. Many more sponsor news casts, weather and more.
“We had a lightning storm come through not too long ago that knocked us off the air,” Ray said. “The Hendricks County Community Foundation came to our rescue. We really want to thank the sponsors and the community for standing behind us all of these years as we continue to grow. They’ve stayed with us and we’re appreciative.”
He knows he won’t be able to operate the station forever, but also knows that allowing the station to drift off or dissolve completely isn’t an option. Hopefully someone will come along, take the reins
and continue with the mission he started.
“I believe the airwaves are so crowded right now, if we were to shut down, there would be no way to get back in,” he said. “We’re kind of grandfathered in since we got our license in 2015. People say, ‘Why don’t you sell it?’ but you can’t sell a nonprofit. You just have to find the right person to take hold of it and keep it going.”
For many years Ray kept his old timecard from a previous employer on display at the radio station. It served as a reminder to
make his dream a reality.
“You have to make this successful or you’re going back to punching the clock,” he said. “It was very motivating. This is a dream come true for me. It’s a passion and I don’t ever want to see it go away. We want to give people something they can’t get anywhere else - the local news, the local information, the local celebrations. It’s a void we’re trying to fill.”
For more information, visit wyrz.org or email Ray directly at shane@wyrz.org.
LOVE YOUR extraordinary LIFE
IGNITING PASSION
Writer / Renée Larr
Photographer / Michael Durr
INDY IGNITE GEARING UP FOR INAUGURAL SEASON
The growth of women’s sports worldwide is not just a cultural milestone. It’s big business.
According to FIFA, the 2023 Women’s World Cup final attracted 13.21 million viewers in the United Kingdom alone. Stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have propelled the popularity of women’s basketball. In a historic moment for U.S. women’s sports, Nebraska’s Division I women’s volleyball team shattered the world attendance record when 92,003 fans filled Memorial Stadium.
Closer to home, Munciana Volleyball, based in Yorktown, stands as one of the most successful clubs in the country. Known for producing multiple national champions and elite athletes, the club boasts a track record of players and coaches at collegiate and professional levels. One of those standout players is Yorktown native Kylie Murr. A four-season star at Ohio State, Murr became the all-time digs leader with 1,935 before transferring to Minnesota for her final collegiate season. Her journey culminated with a professional draft to the Vegas Thrill, part of the emerging Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF).
The PVF, which launched its inaugural season in 2024, began with seven teams featuring 14 players each. The league adopted a major-league format, playing games in prominent arenas across the U.S. Among its recent expansions is the Indy Ignite, based in Fishers - a move championed by Co-owners Jim Schumacher and Don Hutchinson, and made possible by the unwavering support of the local community.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Indy Ignite to our brandnew Fishers Event Center and contribute to the growth and momentum of women’s sports in our region,” Fadness says. “Having a professional sports team call
Fishers home is a testament to how far we’ve come as a vibrant destination for sports, dining and entertainment in the region. I’m proud that we can provide a venue to showcase the incredible talent and determination of these women, and help to pave the way to inspire the next generation of female athletes.”
She notes that the physicality of the sport is a significant difference. “The girls who jump really high and hit the ball really hard are what people love to see when they’re watching volleyball,” Murr says. “I think the biggest difference between college and professional volleyball is just how physical all these women are on the team.”
“As an add-on team, we get to build this thing from the ground up and show everyone what Indiana volleyball is all about,” Murr says. “Everyone on the team has the same competitive mindset. We’re super focused and hard-working but also very lighthearted, making important connections with each other.”
Murr will return to her Hoosier roots as a libero for Indy Ignite. Liberos, often called the defensive anchors of volleyball, specialize in back-row play, particularly in receiving and digging the opponent’s attacks. At 5 feet, 6 inches, Murr’s stature might be smaller than some on the court, but her grit, fearlessness and agility make her a standout athlete.
Murr shares her perspective on the transition from college to professional volleyball.
Murr says she’s excited to be part of such a special team of female athletes. The team is a group of passionate, strong and independent women who hope to be role models to other young female athletes who love the sport of volleyball. Murr says Indy Ignite, with its unique blend of passion, strength and independence, has the advantage of being a newly formed team in the league, setting it apart from the rest.
For Murr, playing professional volleyball in her home state feels like a dream come full circle. Raised on Indiana’s high school volleyball culture, she says it’s humbling to compete at a professional level close to family and friends. She’s happy for the team to be based in a suburb of Indianapolis, because in Fishers they can stand out from other professional sports.
“I’m so excited to be back home where I
Founders Day Scrimmage at Fishers Event Center
have friends and family support,” Murr says. “I think it’s so impressive to have professional volleyball in Indiana. I think it’s important to consider your location when determining where to place a professional team. Here in Indiana, there is such a young crowd that loves and is dedicated to volleyball. I think it’s going to be cool to see these younger girls come out and watch us play.”
Murr says if you love volleyball and want to get better at it, you should come check out a live Indy Ignite game. She says experiencing the game firsthand is very different from seeing it on TV.
“As a pro volleyball player, we’re very open to connecting with the community’s crowd,” Murr says. “Seeing the girls in action and even meeting them changes your perception of the game. There are a lot of great athletes and role models, regardless of whether you like volleyball or not. Families can bring their kids and show
them firsthand examples of what their future could look like.”
As the PVF and teams like Indy Ignite continue to expand, players like Murr are leading the way for women’s sports to reach unprecedented heights. Their success is a testament to the community’s vital role in supporting and nurturing the growth of women’s sports, proving that the future is bright globally and locally. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a significant movement in the world of sports.
The season, set to kick off on January 11 at the Fishers Event Center against the Orlando Valkyries, promises an exhilarating start. To secure your spot for the entire season or delve deeper into the team’s journey, visit provolleyball.com/teams/indy-ignite.
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CLUB MENTALITY
AVON HIGH SCHOOL INTERACT
CLUB CONTINUES ANNUAL PROM SALE AMONG OTHER ENDEAVORS
Writer / Melissa Gibson
In 2009, a teen from the Interact Club at Avon High School (AHS) approached Pam Lyons, Rotary Club of Avon liaison, and Heather Meunier, AHS English department head and faculty advisor for the club, with a unique idea to help others during their memorable prom season.
“She knew there were girls who couldn’t afford to go to prom, and everything we do in Interact is to help someone who needs something,” Lyons said.
They began offering a prom sale each spring with gently used and donated attire. Students can purchase everything they need at a greatly reduced price, and sales are donated to Sheltering Wings, a domestic abuse shelter in Hendricks County.
A professional seamstress donates her time to discuss dress options and
alterations, music is playing, decorations enhance the atmosphere, and it’s simply a fun day for all involved.
Over a decade ago, staff from the Rotary Club worked the popular prom sale at the high school because they didn’t want any of the shoppers to be embarrassed or intimidated by their peers working the sale, but these days it doesn’t seem to matter. Getting a great deal and giving back is popular among young people.
“Our Interact students work hard to set this all up and get it ready,” Lyons said. “There’s no embarrassment at all. They have a lot of fun and enjoy themselves. A lot of people can afford to buy at the store but they’re spreading the word. We’re totally open to those who want to save money and it helps a good cause.”
This year the Interact Club will be looking for donations. It’s time to clean out the old inventory and replace it with new pieces.
“We accept donations of gently used prom dresses, shoes, jewelry, shawls and bags,” Lyons said. “Dresses are $10, shoes are $2 and accessories are $1, so for $20 you can walk out of there with everything you need for prom.”
From February 10 through March 10, the Interact Club will accept donations at Avon High School (Door 29), or at Cass & Company Salon at 7374 Business Center Drive Avon.
Lyons estimates they’ll have well over 300 dresses, and in addition to
a donation of at least $1,000 to the nonprofit, some dresses not sold at the prom sale will be donated to the women at Sheltering Wings for their annual fundraising gala in the spring.
Outside of the prom sale, the Interact Club is doing some amazing things. This year more than 100 students (male and female) have signed up and attend a monthly meeting at the high school.
It’s a club that springboards off of the Rotary Club’s motto: “Service above self.”
“We’ve adjusted it a bit for the kids,” Lyons said. “The Interact Club talks about learning leadership through service. We serve the schools, the community, and with the Rotary Club. Sometimes it’s people in need of food or shoes, and sometimes it’s an elementary school that needs boots on the ground for their big event.”
The 45-minute meetings include an opening game or ice breaker and snacks, followed by an update on projects accomplished and results from various volunteer opportunities. Then new services are presented, giving students an event or volunteer opportunity they can sign up for through the available QR code posted at the beginning of the meeting.
“It might be to show up at 3 a.m. for the Indy Honor Flight and cheer on our veterans, it might be the Rotary’s shoe drive in the fall, or it might be weekly tutoring opportunities at one of the schools,” Lyons said. “When the meeting is over, every slot is filled. We’ve never had to beg or figure out who will do what. These students are amazing.”
Perhaps it’s the variety of options that pulls teens in to participate.
Lyons said walking into an Interact Club meeting might feel like walking into a United Nations meeting.
“It’s such a beautifully diverse group of kids,” Lyons said. “For the first time this year, we sent eight to 10 of our students to volunteer at Avon Schools’ multilingual event. “The director later thanked me and said our volunteers did a perfect job. They’re playing on their own strengths and interests, and giving back to help others.”
To end each meeting, students participate in what they call the end-ofmeeting service. They have colored Thanksgiving images to laminate and create placemats for a local senior living facility, they’ve written notes to veterans to honor them and lift their spirits, and much more.
Whatever the task, every student has an opportunity to give back right then and there, as well as sign up for the next month to participate in various volunteer opportunities.
The Interact Club is year-round. Meetings are typically held the third Thursday of the month with a few holiday exceptions, and begin right after school until approximately 4 p.m. Visit the club section on the Schoology website for information on the next meeting, or reach out to the program sponsor at hlmeunier@avon-schools.org.
The 2025 prom sale will be held on March 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Avon High School, Door 29.
