Center Grove Magazine November 2020 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2020

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LASTING LEGACY

Inaugural Austin Speece Scholarship for Public Service Awarded

REEL IMPRESSIVE

Center Grove Student Earns Top 25 Finish in National Bass Fishing Competition

INSPIRED BY HAPPIER, HEALTHIER HOOSIER FAMILIES. We are proud to have earned Indiana’s new Perinatal Level III designation. Always inspired to deliver the most comprehensive services, we offer specialty treatment in both Obstetrics and Neonatal Intensive Care. Our team includes advanced practice providers, 24/7 anesthesiologists, maternal-fetal medicine physicians and neonatologists from Riley Children’s Health. New families will appreciate rooms that allow for privacy and space and help promote bonding. As the only hospital in south Indianapolis to obtain this certification, we’re providing moms and babies all the care they need under our roof. FranciscanHealth.org

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THE KRINGLE KRATE GIFT BOX CONCEPT GROWING IN POPULARITY

Trustees. The company developed from her with family that in 2019, the idea to sell them to the general public was born. At desire to make holidays more meaningful and family oriented. first Robertson planned to market the The goal of The Kringle Krate is to offer concept by participating in craft shows, recipients a magical experience. Whether “About four years ago, I started making but after posting a message in a nationwide the company’s special boxes are sent for Christmas Eve boxes for my nieces and mothers group on social media, she a birthday, a special dog celebration or nephews in place of Christmas presents,” changed her approach. Within 24 hours children awaiting Santa, the whimsical Robertson says. “Christmas is already such of her initial post, she received more than cartons are filled with activities that engage a busy day for little ones, and I wanted 500 comments asking how to order, and it the whole family. The boxes are perfect for a way to give them a more memorable was clear that offering the boxes through making memories since they shift the focus experience since they still believed in e-commerce was the best way to scale the from the material aspect of a festivity to Santa and the magic that surrounds the business. time spent together. holiday. I would spend months scouting unique treasures to include in the box and “Tyler Dishman, president of The Kringle Krate was created by Franklin would always include a letter from Santa DiscountFilters.com, has been mentoring resident Abby Robertson, director instructing them what they needed to do to me since the day I started my business,” of human resources at online retailer prepare for his arrival the next morning.” Robertson says. “He is always challenging DiscountFilters.com and member of the me to try harder and take more significant Leadership Johnson County Board of The boxes turned out to be such a big hit risks. He is the true definition of an Writer / Julie Yates Photography Provided

6 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2020 / atCenterGrove.com

entrepreneur, and I can’t thank him enough.” While birthday boxes are available yearround, Christmas Eve boxes are only available during the holiday season. The deadline to order a Christmas Eve box for shipping is December 14. Local delivery is available until December 23. Prices start at around $40 and boxes can be personalized with additional items. Several of the products included are from local businesses such as garb2ART and BoxUp.

love creating an experience for “ Ichildren. I imagine every detail,

from the child seeing a package on their doorstep, to opening the box for the first time.

“I love creating an experience for children,” Robertson says. “I imagine every detail, from the child seeing a package on their doorstep, to opening the box for the first time. I try to think through every question a kid might have, such as, ‘What happens if we don’t have a chimney?’ to ‘What if the reindeers don’t like carrots?’ Kids are smart, and you have to put a lot of thought into how you present something to them.” For more information and to order, visit TheKringleKrate.com.

atCenterGrove.com / NOVEMBER 2020 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 7

G S N U G A S E N G X J T N M V E S A G T T V H A

N C G K A T S A N T S O O N C S X B O S R F B M K

A S E N E D I O T V U H D X E F C H C C I O I J O

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AUTOMOTIVE BROTHERS CAGLE CATALYST CENTER CHRISTIAN CLINIC COMPASS DENTISTRY EXCAVATING FOOT FRANCISCAN FURNISHINGS GROVE HAULING HEALTH HOME INSURANCE JANNA JOHNSON JOHNSONS LAZIN LONG MARKETS MEMORIAL MIKE NETWORK Unscramble each of the clue words. ORTHODONTICS Copy the letters in the numbered cells to other cells with the same number. REALTY SAUER SMYTHE 8 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE SOUTHSIDE SPORTS

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INSURANCE JANNA JOHNSON JOHNSONS LAZIN LONG MARKETS MEMORIAL MIKE NETWORK ORTHODONTICS REALTY SAUER SMYTHE SOUTHSIDE SPORTS TODAYS

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missing numbers are integers between 1 and 9. numbers in each row add up to totals to the right. numbers in each column add up to the totals along the bottom. diagonal lines also add up the totals to the right.

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NOVEMBER CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS

DOWN

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1. Confessed

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2. Aviator

7. Old-fashioned

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4. Garment fold

9. Wallop

5. Assumed identities

12. Runaways

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18. Give lessons

14. Quit (premises)

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16. Mode

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18. Clump of grass

23. Carve

19. Hallowed 20. Disabled

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MAKING CONNECTIONS Volunteer Johnson County Helps Connect Like-Minded Community Members

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Every September, Leadership Johnson County (LJC), a community leadership training program at Franklin College designed to train and strengthen 21st century leaders, holds an event at Whiteland High School’s gymnasium called “All Aboard,” in which members of nonprofit and community organizations gather to mingle with prospective volunteers. In September of 2019, Todd McMullen, a member of the LJC Class of 2020, was at the event with members of his group - Leeanne Lollar, Julie Gahimer, Weston Bryant, Daniel Frische, and David Wheatley - looking for projects that would assist the community in some way. “We found that almost all of the booths were looking for volunteers,” McMullen says. “That led us to discuss what our community has, as far as a platform, for those who want to volunteer or are looking for volunteers through some kind of program.”

McMullen and his team decided to create Volunteer Johnson County as a way to connect volunteers with organizations. Originally, they considered designing a brochure that could be disseminated around the community but realized it would quickly become obsolete. A website was another option, but they knew it would require manpower and resources to keep it updated. “As we teased it out, we recognized that social media was the way to go, as it’s easy to follow a page or join a group,” Bryant says. “A Facebook page was the best avenue for organizations to connect to one another. Plus, it was a self-sustaining platform.” The Volunteer Johnson County Facebook page launched in late January of 2020 and was starting to gain momentum when the pandemic took center stage. “We had things planned out and were trying to grow the page with events like ‘Rock the Block’ and other fundraising

opportunities that were seeking volunteers,” McMullen says. The group had also planned to do a service project together, then share their experience on their Facebook page, but when COVID-19 hit, events got cancelled and volunteer opportunities shriveled up. A few nonprofits, however, became overwhelmed, such as food pantries that could no longer utilize their consistent volunteer base because they are older folks in the high-risk category for contracting COVID-19. Wheatley decided to step in. During the pandemic, he volunteered at the Interchurch Food Pantry of Johnson County every Wednesday for more than two months and was transformed by the experience. “I loved serving during the pandemic because so many of the guests who visited the pantry were otherwise extremely isolated, and it felt like a smile and some friendly conversation could make a significant impact,” Wheatley says. “Of course providing food to those who

atCenterGrove.com / NOVEMBER 2020 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 11

David Wheatley, Julie Gahimer, Daniel Frische, Weston Bryant, Leeanne Lollar, and Todd McMullen

Bryant says.

need it was a rewarding experience, but encouraging guests and sharing some positive energy during a dark time may have been the best part about volunteering.”

This year, as a result of COVID-19, the All Aboard event became virtual, and this change had its perks. Every day throughout the month of September, the Volunteer Johnson County Facebook page featured a different nonprofit video.

This six-member group graduated from the LJC program in July of 2020, and now Leadership Johnson County is the administrator of this program. The idea behind Volunteer Johnson County is to help nonprofits tell their stories and spread the word. “At September 2019’s All Aboard fair, everyone told us they needed volunteers, but most didn’t explain why, and that piece is vital in captivating potential volunteers,”

Those who attend the All Aboard event represent various demographics. For instance, there are high school students looking to build resumes for college applications, youth groups wanting to explore educational projects, people on parole needing community service hours, and sports teams interested in building team unity.

While doing their research, the LJC group discovered that some people are reluctant to volunteer because they are afraid they’ll get sucked into a large time commitment. “Maybe you just volunteer one Saturday for a few hours every couple of months - it doesn’t even have to be an ongoing commitment,” says Lollar, noting that the group also thought it would be wise to let volunteers know ahead of time what a given activity entails. The group not only wants to make the process as easy and transparent as possible, but also wants to be sure people are matched up in terms of

Courtesy of Rock The Block Run Volunteer Forest Mellott

12 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2020 / atCenterGrove.com

interests and abilities. Organizations involved with Volunteer Johnson County include ASSIST Indiana, Reach for Youth, Beacon of Hope Crisis Center, Restore Old Town Greenwood, Inc., Upstream Prevention, Inc. and many more. “It all comes back to LJC’s tagline of connecting passionate people with compassionate organizations in Johnson County,” Gahimer says. Leadership Johnson County is located at Franklin College, 101 Branigin Boulevard in Franklin. For more information, call 317-738-8264 or visit LeadershipJohnsonCounty.org.

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KIDS IN CRISIS FRANKLIN-BASED NONPROFIT HELPS HOMELESS YOUTH OF JOHNSON COUNTY “Homelessness in Johnson County looks different than what we typically think of ’Tis the season to be grateful. For some when it comes to homelessness,” says Jenna of us, that means being grateful for good Martin, development and engagement health, or perhaps a cozy home to go to manager for Kids in Crisis - Intervention every evening. For 18-year-old Madlyn Team (KIC-IT). “We don’t have tent Graphman, it means not having to sleep on cities or regularly see people living under the street. bridges. Homelessness is living in motels, couch surfing between family and friends, Madlyn had been homeless since she was or living in cars or shelter houses near 15 years old. A luxury to her was a couch to parks. Some of the youth we work with age crash on for the night. She recalls having to out of foster care and have nowhere to go. use cardboard to keep herself dry from the Runaway youth are often escaping abusive cold rain. She was alone, sleeping next to a situations and don’t have a safe place to go, busy road. or perhaps are kicked out due to LGBTQ.” Story & Photography Provided

“I had a blanket, by myself - it definitely sucked,” she says. Unfortunately, this isn’t just Madlyn’s problem.

According to the 2019-2020 annual school district report on Johnson County homeless students, Center Grove Community School Corporation reported 115 homeless students (a 6.09% increase from the 2005 to 2018 average), only to

be topped by Franklin Community School Corporation, which reported 217 homeless students (a 14.45% increase from the 2005 to 2018 average). Organizations like KIC-IT are working to put a dent in that number. With Thanksgiving approaching, many of us will acknowledge what we’re grateful for. Studies show that intentionally setting aside time to reflect on what you are grateful for can provide a host of physical benefits, including a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, increased exercise, and longer, more refreshing sleep time. Psychological benefits can include higher levels of positive emotions, a more alert and awake disposition, as well as increased feelings of joy, pleasure and optimism. Reflecting on and practicing gratitude

14 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2020 / atCenterGrove.com

HOMELESSNESS IS LIVING IN MOTELS, COUCH SURFING BETWEEN FAMILY AND FRIENDS, OR LIVING IN CARS OR SHELTER HOUSES NEAR PARKS.

can have social benefits as well, including feeling less lonely and isolated, and being more helpful, generous, compassionate, forgiving and outgoing. In a time of social isolation, a relationshipstrengthening emotion such as gratitude can remind us of the support offered by others, and how others may need support as well. In practicing gratitude, we become greater participants in our lives as opposed to spectators. KIC-IT is trying to do just that. As a nonprofit working to break the cycle and prevent youth homelessness in Johnson County, KIC-IT is actively hitting the streets to bring awareness to the youth homelessness crisis. As reported by the National Network for Youth, unaccompanied youth face devastating harms and barriers in life a result of their homelessness. This hinders the ability to re-assimilate into society, depresses motivation, and inhibits

independence, success, and productivity at the familial and community levels. The consequences of homelessness bring despair to youth in the form of mental health problems, substance use, victimization and criminal activity, unsafe sexual practices, and barriers to education and employment. These problems further burden society with the cost of finding ways to take care of these people. If these individuals are not helped, they will likely add to the population of chronic homeless adults.

During a season of Thanksgiving, you can practice kindness and gratitude with KICIT in these 5 ways: 1. Join them during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (Nov. 15- 22). Visit kic-it.org for more information. 2. Partner with them in December as a sponsor for their Christmas event for clients. Email development@ kic-it.org for more information. 3. Host a #GivingTuesday2020 online fundraiser or dine-to-donate event, and also consider KIC-IT in your end-of-year giving. 4. Clean out your pantry and closets, and help to stock theirs. They always accept food and hygiene items. 5. Join them in 2021 as a volunteer help make an impact in the life of a homeless youth.

Recently Madlyn was still living in a tent when friends referred her to KIC-IT. Fastforward to today - KIC-IT has provided her with temporary housing. She now has a full-time job and is working to save money for an apartment. For that, she is grateful. “I’m not homeless anymore, on the streets,” she says. “I have a full-time job. I’m definitely doing a lot better than I was, physically and mentally.”

For more information on Kids in Crisis Intervention Team, and how you can help, call 317-412-4973 or visit kic-it.org.

atCenterGrove.com / NOVEMBER 2020 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 15

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Owner Reid Storvick and Manager Rob Boyland

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atCenterGrove.com / NOVEMBER 2020 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 17

Writer / Matt Keating Photographer / Amy Payne

Reid Storvick, owner of The Smoke Pit in Greenwood, says the name of his new cigar lounge was inspired by his days as a Marine. “I’m not on active duty anymore, but when I was serving in the Marine Corps we would get together on the bases, or the places we were stationed at, and congregate in an area for smoking that was called the Smoke Pit,” Storvick says. During his time in the Marines, Storvick served in Afghanistan among other places. “I loved having a good smoke with friends when I was in the Smoke Pit,” Storvick says. “It brings people together. You can calm down and relax with a good cigar. It was a great feeling of friendship. I wanted to create that same experience for other people, so that’s how I came up with the concept for a nice place like The Smoke

Pit, which will have a cigar lounge.” Storvick says he wants the shop to be a place customers can go to when they want to unwind and get away from the stresses of life. “Enjoying a good cigar with friends can be a great way to celebrate an accomplishment, or just relax with your spouse or some good friends,” Storvick says. “In these crazy times, I want to offer people a nice place to get a premium cigar and just unwind. I’ll have an area to accommodate couples, and another area for bigger groups. People can come in dressed nice, or just in jeans and a T-shirt.” Storvick has big plans for The Smoke Pit. “We have a large, walk-in humidor able

to store 140 boxes of cigars,” Storvick says. “We will have high-end, boutique, premium cigars and accessories. We will also sell humidors, including some nice travel sizes. We will have eight-count and 25-count humidors.” Storvick says the cigar brands for sale will include Perdomo Habano Connecticut, Viva La Vida Club 500, Platinum Nova and Southern Draw, among others. “We also have local cigars called Cedar Creek, which are great and have a local flavor,” he says. Storvick adds that he is seeking an alcoholic beverage permit. “My goal is to be able to serve people some whiskey or bourbon, which goes great with

18 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2020 / atCenterGrove.com

Enjoying a good cigar with friends can be a great way to celebrate an accomplishment, or just relax with your spouse or some good friends.

a premium cigar,” he says. When Storvick isn’t busy with The Smoke Pit, he works as a firefighter for the Indianapolis Fire Department. “I’ve been with the Fire Department since 2017,” he says. “I’m a substitute firefighter. I go around to 43 different fire stations in different areas. It’s a job that I love and enjoy.” When Storvick was first thinking about how nice it would be to have his own cigar lounge, he jokingly ran the idea past his wife Jessica. “A few days later, she brought me a business plan that was a rough draft,” he says. “There were a lot of great ideas in the plan. I was thrilled to see she was supportive of my dream, so I edited the plan and got myself in gear.” Storvick is the son of David Storvick, pastor and director at Greenwood-based

148 Ministries, a nonprofit organization that seeks to help women who have been wounded physically, emotionally and sexually. “I’m always inspired by my father and the great work he does, and I’m inspired by my wife and family, which includes our 10-year-old twin boys and a seven-year-old daughter,” Storvick says. “They make me very happy and motivate me all the time.” Storvick is also motivated to make The Smoke Pit a success. “I hope the COVID-19 restrictions start to ease more, and people will be able to go out more and have a good time,” he says. “I can’t wait to make this a relaxing destination for people.” The Smoke Pit is located at 221 West Main Street in Greenwood, For more info, call 317-883-7550 and visit facebook.com/ thesmokepitindy.

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Deadline for submissions: November 13, 2020 20 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2020 / atCenterGrove.com

Owner Becky Moore

COOL CORRESPONDENCE LOCAL RESIDENT BECKY MOORE LAUNCHES PEN PAL AGENCY Writer / Julie Yates Photographer / Amy Payne

One of the best aspects of foreign travel is meeting people of different nationalities. Due to coronavirus-related restrictions, such experiences aren’t always possible these days.

country without leaving home. Moore became a pen pal enthusiast when she was 13 years old. She was attending middle school in Center Grove when her study hall teacher, who had a pen pal from England, offered the class the chance to exchange letters with British students. That experience led to years of enjoyment as she received letters from faraway places.

that I get a letter from once a month. I have so many of my own, I had to stop. Now I can help others get pen pals so they can enjoy it too.”

Due to the coronavirus crisis, Moore found herself in a position start a pen pal agency. She was working in the hotel industry as an event planner when she was laid off in However, Becky Moore has an answer. She the midst of the government-mandated recently started Write Moore Letters, a U.S. “It is my passion, my favorite thing,” Moore business shutdowns. Suddenly, she found agency for Australia-based International says. “I’m embarrassed to say I have 50 herself beginning a business she had Pen Friends. It facilitates pen pal matchups pen pals. I only hear from some about two dreamed about in the past. so people of all ages can develop a times a year, but there are about 20 of them relationship with someone from a different atCenterGrove.com / NOVEMBER 2020 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 21

“When I was young, I went through a company that would send these little blue coupon books with pen pal names,” Moore says. “I remember it was magical. One of my very first pen pals sent me some Nottingham lace. I used to daydream about having a pen pal store for children and adults.” Moore began using the services of International Pen Friends about five years ago. “On their website they had a blurb about becoming an agent for their company,” she says. “Since I had the time, I pursued it. I had to learn how to create a website, which I did this summer through a free online class offered to graduates of the University of Evansville.”

THE YEARS I’VE “ OVER HAD SOME GREAT EXPERIENCES. ONE PEN PAL FROM NEW ZEALAND RECORDED A MESSAGE THAT WAS PLAYED AT MY WEDDING. - BECKY MOORE -

International Pen Friends has provided more than one million people of all ages with pen pals for the past 53 years. The organization’s membership database is internal and is not on the internet, so it can’t be hacked. There are packages available for different numbers of pen pals, and prices range from $25 to $45. “Over the years I’ve had some great experiences,” Moore says. “One pen pal from New Zealand recorded a message that was played at my wedding. I actually met another when she came to visit her son who was an exchange student at Southport High School.” Moore says there are multiple benefits to being a pen pal. “It develops patience because when you mail letters, it does take a while,” she says. “You learn about another country, government and culture. If you can speak another language, it opens up what countries you can request. It can help someone learning another language. It’s a great tool for foreign language classes.” Visit ipf-writemooreletters.com for more information, and email questions to admin@ipf-writemooreletters.com.

22 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2020 / atCenterGrove.com

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Bob Speece, Aubrei Teter, Scholarship Recipient Larry Cress II, Gayle Cress

LASTING

LEGACY

Inaugural Austin Speece Scholarship for Public Service Awarded

he first Austin Speece Scholarship for Public Service was recently awarded to Larry Cress, who will be attending the University of Indianapolis.

Austin Speece was a 2010 Center Grove High School graduate who participated in the Greenwood Fire Department’s cadet program before working as a firefighter with the department. He was also a member of the department’s Honor Guard for several years. Speece died in May of 2017.

Cress, a student from Central Nine (C9) Career Center, was grateful to receive the award, and is looking forward to a career in public service.

The selection committee for the scholarship is made up of members of Speece’s family and the Greenwood Fire Department.

Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Speece’s father Bob said his family started a scholarship program in his son’s memory, for young people entering public service jobs - particularly fire, police and emergency medical technician departments. “My brother Chuck Speece and his wife Connie came up with this idea to help keep Austin’s memory alive, and help future young people who wish to go into public service,” Bob says. “It started out for the cadets at the Greenwood Fire

24 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2020 / atCenterGrove.com

Department, but they were all so young that we opened it up.” Speece loved his career with the Greenwood Fire Department. “Austin’s career actually started at C9,” Bob says. “He fell in love with [the fire department] at an early age. When he became a fireman, he was stationed at the 91 Headquarters on Main Street in Greenwood. He also became a leader in the cadet program, which he loved. He enjoyed working with young people.”

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Speece also enjoyed pursuing various interests outside of firefighting. “He became a member of the Honor Guard in 2012, participating in an Indiana Pacers game as his first event,” Bob says, adding that Speece was also a member of the Indiana Donor Network. “Austin was also fortunate enough to go to Washington, D.C., to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and participate in events there.” Speece was also a big sports fan, and followed the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers. “As a young man, Austin enjoyed baseball,” Bob says. “He would go with me to watch me and my teammates play softball, and after the games Austin and his brothers would run the bases and slide into home base. All the players on the team loved them and got to know them. One day a gentleman in the neighborhood asked if Austin wanted to play soccer, and from then on that was his game until he hurt his knee, which ended his soccer career.” Bob says he and his family are enthusiastic about the Central Nine Career Center.

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“When we had Austin’s funeral, instead of having people send flowers, we asked people to make a donation to the cadet program,” he says. “One of his fellow firefighters, Dalton Watson, sold bracelets in memory of Austin. That money was also donated to the C9 program. I believe approximately $4,000 was raised through these two events. Austin loved and respected his career. Most of all, he loved his family and friends.” For more information on the Austin Speece Scholarship program, contact Bob Speece at bspeece52@gmail.com.

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Dr. Sahand Banisadr is accepting new patients in Franklin and Greenwood Johnson Memorial Health is pleased to welcome Sahand Banisadr, MD to our Pediatrics practice. Dr. Banisadr will be seeing patients in both our Franklin and Greenwood pediatrics offices. Dr. Banisadr obtained his bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in General Biology from the University of California, San Diego. He then went on to earn his Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree and his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, and completed his Pediatric residency at the Toledo Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital. During his time in Toledo, Dr. Banisadr was granted awards for teaching students and fellow residents, and received accolades for exceptional patient care. Through the course of his education, he discovered his passion for providing the best possible care for children with chronic health conditions such as asthma, eczema, diabetes and obesity, and for helping families to understand and care for their children. He is enthusiastically committed to maintaining wellness in all his patients from birth through adulthood, in order to promote good health throughout the entirety of their lives. Dr. Banisadr believes in giving back to the community through supporting local organizations including America Reads, Habitat for Humanity, and mentoring those in high risk or low socioeconomic households. Outside of patient care, he is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with his family and dog. He is also well traveled and is fluently bilingual in both English and Persian. Dr. Banisadr is ready and excited to meet your patient care needs. To schedule an appointment, call Franklin 1125 West Jefferson Street 1159 Building, Suite 304 Franklin, IN, 46131

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REEL IMPRESSIVE

Center Grove Student Earns Top 25 Finish in National Bass Fishing Competition

Writer / Kevin Conrad Photography Provided

Center Grove High School (CGHS) junior Brennan McDougal competed against the very best kayak bass anglers from 40 states in a three-day national championship tournament in October, at Lake Guntersville in Scottsboro, Alabama. McDougal, who serves as president of the CGHS Fishing Club, was the second youngest participant among the

305 qualifiers in the event, and was the youngest among the top 100 to make the cut for the championship round on day three. McDougal finished 23rd and earned prize money for the first time in his young fishing career. He totaled 244.75 inches for his three-day total.

stage for making a check and being in the top 30 in the event,” McDougal says. “It felt so good to finish among the best anglers in the country at such a young age. I had a great tournament, improving every day for my five-fish total, which is hard to do.”

In just two short years, McDougal has captured three third-place finishes in kayak bass fishing tournaments in Indiana, and “Although I really wanted a top-10 finish, it claimed “Big Bass” honors in two of those was such a surreal feeling getting on the big events.

atCenterGrove.com / NOVEMBER 2020 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 29

TO BE OUT IN THE OUTDOORS JUST DOING WHAT I LOVE RELIEVES SO MUCH STRESS, AND MAKES ME A BETTER PERSON ON AND OFF THE WATER. I SIMPLY LOVE TOURNAMENT FISHING BECAUSE I’M A COMPETITIVE PERSON.

“Being out on the water is what I love,” he says. “To be out in the outdoors just doing what I love relieves so much stress, and makes me a better person on and off the water. I simply love tournament fishing because I’m a competitive person.” 2021 will be a busy year for the junior angler, competing in national tournaments in Kissimmee, Florida, and Shreveport, Louisiana. Once McDougal graduates from high school he wants to further his tournament bass fishing career at Adrian College in Michigan.

Brennan McDougal

“I do want to continue fishing on the pro level as I grow up,” McDougal says. “I absolutely love what I do, and I’m so proud to represent Center Grove on and off the water.” When McDougal isn’t competing in state and national tournaments, he’s organizing local pond tournaments as president of the Fishing Club. McDougal is in his second year as the president of the 40-member club. “The CG Fishing Club’s goal is to give kids the opportunity to make new friends through the sport locally, and even improve to start fishing tournaments around the community,” McDougal says. “Our club competitions involve ponds around the community where kids duke it out to win prizes based on the top finishers.” For information on how to join the CGHS Fishing Club, message the club’s Instagram page (@CGHSfishing).

30 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2020 / atCenterGrove.com

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