Geist Magazine May 2025 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

Indianapolis 500 Special Section

BILINGUAL, BILITERATE, BICULTURAL

MSDLT SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAM POSITIONS STUDENTS TO BE GLOBAL CITIZENS

Geo Targeted Digital Display

Google Ad Management

PUBLISHER JUSTIN ‘JD’ BIEHL justin@townepost.com (317) 294-7211

KEY CONTRIBUTORS

CHRISTY HEITGER-EWING MELISSA GIBSON KIMBER HERCEST ROBERT JONES RENEE LARR ASHLEY WATTERS

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER, CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599

PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ERIN TURK

CREATIVE DIRECTORS VAL AUSTIN TONI EADS

MANAGING EDITOR DEVON DEAN

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CONTACT THE PUBLISHER Have a story idea or suggestion for the magazine?

ASK THE GEIST DECK AND DOCK EXPERTS

Chris Reed is the owner of Creed improvements specializing in building decks, pergolas, porches and more for Hamilton County families for over a decade. He enjoys building unique backyard spaces for his clients to create family memories of a lifetime. Chris has lived in Indy for over 30 years.

Each month Chris will be highlighting products and solutions for decks and docks. His major supplier is “Decks and Docks of Indianapolis”. His goal is to inform, educate and inspire renovations for the readers.

Chris Reed

OWENS CORNING HAS REVOLUTIONIZED THE CONSTRUCTION OF DECKS AND DOCKS WITH THEIR NEW LUMBER PRODUCT

Writer / Renee Larr

Chris Reed, owner of Creed Improvements, wants to educate all homeowners about the revolutionary new product called Owens Corning® Lumber, also known as OC™ Lumber. Homeowners know traditional wood decks and docks need additional maintenance or total replacement throughout the course of their lives.

“Traditional wood decks rot over time,” Reed says. “You’ll have to rehab them every 15 to 30 years and eventually replace them altogether. OC™ Lumber is composite lumber that replaces traditional treated lumber. The major advantages of OC™ Lumber are that it is completely submergible and unharmed by ultraviolet [UV] rays. So where a traditional deck might last 20 to 30 years with maintenance, upkeep and rehab, a deck or dock made with OC™ Lumber might last over 100 years with very little upkeep to the customer.”

Reed notes that many residents in Florida already know and use OC™ Lumber due to its high durability and low maintenance. It’s rated for ground contact and underwater installation, it protects against water and the elements, resists mold, mildew, pests, stains and fading, and includes a 25-year UV protection pack.

“OC™ Lumber works the same way as traditional wood does, like cutting and screwing, but without all the maintenance and upkeep,” Reed says. “The cost is going to be higher than other traditional wood lumber, but it lasts so much longer.”

Reed learned about OC™ Lumber while designing a rooftop deck for a condo in downtown Indianapolis off of Mass Ave. Reed’s communications with Owens Corning and their local reps have created a

buzz, and Reed’s downtown project will be featured nationally with Owens Corning. Upon completion of the project with Owens Corning, Reed realized the great opportunity with homeowners in the Geist Area.

“This product is a great option for Geist-area homeowners when renovating their decks and docks,” he says. “The upfront costs are a little more compared to traditional framing and decking. However, the benefits of low maintenance, increased property values and product durability far outweigh anything else. This product is a generational-type opportunity.”

Working directly with OC™ Lumber, Creed Improvements services the Geist area and provides on-site design services and consultations. Creed Improvements has an outstanding reputation in the area for over a decade, and is a proud member of the Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on Creed Improvements, visit them on Facebook @creedimprovements.

For more information on OC™ Lumber, visit owenscorning.com/lumber. SCAN TO LEARN MORE, ASK QUESTIONS, SCHEDULE AN ESTIMATE AND FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

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CAPTURING HOOSIER HISTORY

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH IMS LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER CHRIS OWENS

Writer / Ashley Watters

If you’re born and bred in the Hoosier state, May always brings a sense of excitement. It’s race season, and nowhere in the world is that more exciting than in Indianapolis, the home of the largest spectator sport in the world, the Indy 500. While racing season always sets a thrill to the air in Indianapolis, for Chris Owens, racing season takes on a whole new meaning.

Owens has the lucky job of overseeing all photography related to racing season. As the manager of photo operations for Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar Series, he manages all photography on race day, promotional events, driver photos, hospitality gatherings, you name it. If it leads up to race day, he and his camera aren’t far away.

As a young kid growing up in the small town of Bluffton, Indiana, Owens found a single-lens reflex camera amongst the toys in

his toy box. He fondly remembers toting it around pretending to capture the moments around him. His love of photography further grew as he collected sports cards and then took high school photography courses, leading to collegiate study at both the University of Vincennes and the Art Institute of Indianapolis, the latter chosen to help further his skills while getting him closer to the track.

“I always knew I wanted to photograph the race,” he says. “I really pushed the envelope to try and get on the team. I had to keep after it for years. Finally, in 2010 I got the chance to meet the manager of photography and joined the team as a volunteer. As people came and went, I landed the role of manager.”

While acting as the lead photographer of the Indy 500 is exhilarating and certainly qualifies as a dream job, Owens

“IT’S SURREAL TO KNOW YOU’RE DOCUMENTING HISTORY AND YOU KNOW IT’S IMPORTANT TO SO MANY PEOPLE.”

- CHRIS OWENS

recognizes that it is a highly demanding role. Race day itself requires a huge amount of preparation and versatile skill sets to coordinate and capture all of the memorable moments that occur annually on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.

“The whole season is really adrenaline fueled,” he says. “There’s practicing for weeks and the Grand Prix before the actual race. But race day is a totally different beast. You have 350,000 people and all of their energy is wearing off onto you. There’s this buildup year-round to this event, but the race only lasts two to three hours and then it’s over. You really have to know what you want to accomplish that day.”

Outside of the creative needs placed on the photography team, Owens spends a great amouna of time planning where the team will need to be, to ensure no relevant moments slip by. There are so many events that have to be captured, from the EDM festival at the start and race highlights, all the way through to the drinking of the milk at Victory Circle. Additionally, every photographer needs to be equipped with fresh, full batteries and clean memory cards. Each moment has to be documented to the fullest extent.

Despite the whirlwind that is race day, Owens always heads to Victory Circle as the race nears the end. He likes to join spectators to feel that same excitement of the roaring crowds as the finishers cross the line into Victory Circle. “It’s surreal to know you’re documenting history and you know it’s important to so many people,” he says.

He does like to remind people that, as with any job, it’s not all glitz and glamour. There is a fair amount of the mundane that must be done as well. Owens manages an archive of more than four million historical images. With the exception of about 90 days out of the year, he is traveling to take part in public relations events and promotional experiences, all a part of the fanfare that connects one race season to the next. And he frequently finds himself faced with creative requests that vary from best-of-year galleries to driver headshots.

Despite any amount of ordinary tasks that go along with his job, and sometimes because of them, Owens always remembers that he is

living his dream job.

“My favorite part is being able to connect my two passions, which are Indy car racing and photography,” he says. “I’m the one with the responsibility who gets to share what I love with so many other people that love it. I get to be their eyes - get to share some of those behind-the-scenes moments. A lot of time there are things that happen in garages, or even going on PR stunt trips and getting to go to dinner with the crew and drivers. That’s what I do it for.”

For those of you gearing up for race season this year, he has a few bits of advice to share.

“You can get great photos from a lot of places at the track,” he says. “You don’t need to be trackside to get great images. I often go into the fan areas to get great images.”

Even as he looks ahead to the coming season and the logistical stresses it may bring, there is no other job he’d rather do. Save $5 Promo Code “GEIST”

TRADITIONALLY SPEAKING

LOCALS BEHIND SOME INDY 500 TRADITIONS

Writer / Kimber Hercest

On May 25, hundreds of thousands will converge on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) to hear the roar of the engines and see the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” - the 109th running of the Indy 500. Beyond the high-speed action on the track is a wealth of pageantry and local traditions going back decades.

THE MILK BOTTLES

For the last 22 years, Geist resident Scott Heavin has been the creative force behind the milk bottles given to the winners of the Indy 500. Through his company The Promotion Lab, Heavin collaborates every year with with the American Dairy Association of Indiana (ADAI) on the design and engraving.

Heavin washes and preps the bottles, engraves them, then hands them off to Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials to give to the winner of the race - a tradition in place for close to a century, when Louis Meyer won his third Indy 500 in 1936 and chugged a bottle of buttermilk in victory lane.

“The bottles have to be perfectly clean because the milk would show any imperfection,” Heavin says. As part of the run-up to this year’s race, IMS, ADAI and Prairie Farms Dairy are collaborating to bring Indianapolis 500-branded milk pints and cartons to fans across the Midwest. More than 13,000 retailers across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin will be stocked with 16-ounce pints celebrating

five winners of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and their milk preferences:

• 2% reduced-fat milk features back-toback winner and defending winner Josef Newgarden (2023, 2024)

• Whole vitamin D milk features two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato (2017, 2020)

• Premium chocolate milk features 2018 Indy 500 winner Will Power

• 1% low fat chocolate milk features fourtime Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021)

• Premium strawberry milk features 2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson

THE JEWELS

Every year, 33 dynamic young women from across Indiana are selected to take part in the 500 Festival Princess Program. Starting in 1959, over 2,000 Hoosier women have had the honor of wearing the crowns and serving as ambassadors for the 500 Festival.

Geist jeweler Mary Khamis is charged with creating the stunning necklaces each princess dons throughout the year during their reign. Khamis Fine Jewelers is the Official Jeweler for the 500 Festival Princess Program. Celebrating three decades in business, Mary Khamis ensures each princess receives a necklace as unique as she is, supporting local traditions and honoring the legacy of the Indianapolis 500 alongside

hometowns across the state.

The 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 25. Tickets are on sale at IMS.com or by calling or visiting the IMS Ticket Office.

INDY IGNITE PRO VOLLEYBALL MATCH

7 PM Fishers Event Center, 11000 Stockdale St. provolleyball.com

2 THE MILITARY / VETERANS COALITION OF INDIANA MONTHLY MEETING

9:30 – 11 AM

VFW Post 7119, 6525 Lee Rd.

We do three things: 1. Advocate. 2. Celebrate. and 3. Educate all about the military and veterans in Indiana. We focus on legislation at the STATE level. events.in.gov

AFRICAN FOOD FEST AND INTERNATIONAL DESSERTS

11 AM – 8 PM

Snow Crab Juicy Seafood Restaurant Parking Lot, 8340 Kelly Ln.

FISHERS FREIGHT VS QUAD CITY STEAM WHEELERS

7 PM

Fishers Event Center, 11000 Stockdale St.

3 & 4

WINTER X WYLIE 2025SKATING CLINICS

Indy Fuel Tank, 9022 East 126th St.

Two opportunities for skaters to learn from US Figure Skating Hall of Fame member and Olympian Paul Wylie. eventbrite.com

TUESDAY TRIVIA

7 – 9 PM

Northside, 3720 East 82nd St.

Join us every Tuesday at the Northside location for Trivia! thedistricttap.com

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORKMAY 2025 COFFEE ROASTER

8 – 9 AM

CoHatch Coworking, Hamilton Town Center business.noblesvillechamber.com

MARKET IN MCCORDSVILLE

10 AM – 2 PM

McCord Square, 5811 Main St.

WOMEN’S APPRECIATION DAY

10 AM – 5 PM

Broganville Farm, 11650 East 30th St.

Join us for a day of self-care, empowerment, and community at Women’s Day Of Wellness - because you deserve to feel your best! eventbrite.com

WATER COOLER WEDNESDAY

7:45 – 8:30 AM

LCS Heating & Cooling, 11929 E 65th St. greaterlawrencechamber.org

WINES AROUND THE WORLD

6:30 – 9 PM

First Internet Bank Open Air Rooftop Patio, 8701 E 116th St. qtego.us

MCCORDSVILLE CARS & COFFEE

9 – 11 AM

McCord Square, 5811 Main St.

Join us at McCord Square (5811 Main Street, McCordsville, located behind CVS and IU Health) to meet with other car enthusiasts for our second year!

NEURODIVERGENT TEEN HANGOUT

2 – 3 PM

Meeting Room- A+B

This program is an opportunity for neurodivergent teens to hang out, do an activity, and connect with their peers. This month is game night. hepl.libnet.info

GOLF FOR RECOVERY PRESENTED BY GREGORY & APPEL

10 AM – 3 PM

Plum Creek Golf Club, 12401 Lynnwood Blvd.

Progress House has served men seeking recovery from substance use disorder for over 60 years. business.zionsvillechamber.org

CORN TO COCKTAIL

7 - 8:30 PM

Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Rd.

In this hands-on class, guests learn about the versatility of Indiana’s top crop–corn! Attendees learn about corn’s influence on history and also on the spirits that we consume. connerprairie.org

BOYS AND GIRLS INDIANA HS AND MIDDLE SCHOOL RUGBY STATE TOURNAMENT

8 AM – 7 PM

Cyntheanne Park, Fishers, 12383 Cyntheanne Rd.

Mudsock Rugby will host the Indiana Boys and Girls HS and Middle School Rugby State Championships at Cyntheanne Park in Fishers. There will be 5 fields of play.

FISHERS FREIGHT VS JACKSONVILLE SHARKS

7 PM

Fishers Event Center, 11000 Stockdale Street.

TEEN VIDEO GAME CLUB

6 - 7:30 PM

Meeting Room- A+B

Calling all teen gamers! Come hang out with other teens and play video games on the library’s Nintendo Switch, Xbox, or PS5. hepl.libnet.info

BILINGUAL, BILITERATE, BICULTURAL

MSDLT SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAM POSITIONS STUDENTS TO BE GLOBAL CITIZENS

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing

Photographer / Robert Jones

In 1994, Fort Benjamin Harrison was still a military base, so the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township (MSDLT) taught students from all over the world. These families valued a multicultural, bilingual education, so the district began offering a dual-language Spanish immersion program at Forest Glen Elementary. Dual language involves 50% native language speakers and 50% Spanish speakers learning together. The program experienced tremendous success.

“We’ve had such demand in our community, both from English- and Spanish-speaking families who want their children to be bilingual, biliterate and bicultural, that we’ve grown the program over the last 10 years to the point where seven of the 11 elementary schools have some type of a dual language program,” says Troy Knoderer, chief academic officer at MSDLT.

In addition, all of middle and high schools have dual-language programs.

The traditional way of learning a foreign language is surface-level language acquisition, where a student takes a class in middle school and a couple of classes in high school to enable them to order dinner and have some cordial social conversations. In the MSDLT, however, students get the academic language both in Spanish and English in classes such as science and social studies. In the early grades, classrooms are taught 80% Spanish, 20% English. By fourth grade it’s 50% Spanish, 50% English, and continues that way for the rest of elementary school.

“We’re proud of how that all comes together in a preschool program all the way through grade 12,” Knoderer says. “You don’t see that often, where you’ve got that continuity throughout a school district.”

Students apply to the program via a lottery system. However, if a family wants a bilingual education for their child, they can get it. Parents select their preferred school. They may or may not get their first choice based on the lottery, but the district now has the space to accommodate all families who desire a bilingual education.

Kris McAloon has been pleased with the district’s dual-language program, calling it an incredible gift for his fourth-grade son, Jackson.

“He’s not only bilingual and biliterate in Spanish and English, but also part of a multicultural learning environment that has expanded his global perspective,” says McAloon. “It has been inspiring to watch him grow with friends from so many different backgrounds and interact with teachers from around the world. We’ve seen him thrive academically in both languages, and we’re confident that these skills will open countless doors for him in the future.”

The students are able to test out of university requirements for Spanish because of the high-quality bilingual education they have received. In addition, being bilingual and biliterate makes students more marketable, not just internationally, but here as well, because businesses have expressed an increasing need to hire bilingual individuals.

Amanda Berkey says Spanish immersion has given her children a challenging academic experience while opening them up to connect with other cultures in a meaningful way.

“Our family enjoys visiting Spanishspeaking countries and learning about other cultures,” says Berkey. “I’m also confident that dual-language education will give my kids an edge for their future career path.”

Berkey’s ninth-grade daughter, Ava, appreciates how Spanish immersion increases opportunities. “I enjoy speaking Spanish in my community and learning about more Latin cultures around the world,” she says.

This year the district is piloting a selfcontained, high-ability bilingual classroom that has been hugely successful.

“So often as educators we divide, sort and group kids,” Knoderer says. “This is an opportunity to bring students together and give them an experience where they can learn from one another as they build community and mutual respect by learning language from one another.”

Ninth-grader Emma Winters says that being bilingual has enabled her to connect with more people, understand different cultures and communicate in ways that not everyone can. She recalls a time when she encountered a bad car accident and was able to talk to the injured man, who only spoke Spanish.

“It was a great feeling to help him,” she says.

Pam Dechert maintains that the immersion program is a learning model that develops students’ understanding and appreciation of other countries and cultures, while preparing them to work and excel in the global workforce.

“From learning and performing dances from Puerto Rico, Nicaragua or Ecuador in elementary school, to spending time in Spain with classmates honing their Spanish skills, the program has been life changing for my son, Brodie,” says Dechert. “Next year he will graduate with an Immersion diploma, an Honors diploma and International Baccalaureate. It has positioned him to be a global citizen and a leader in college and beyond.”

ACCOLADES AND AWARDS FOR THE MSDLT

• MSDLT: Named 2024 Best Public Schools by Indianapolis Community’s Choice Awards

• Forest Glen Elementary: Named 2024 Best Preschool and Best Learning Center by Indianapolis Community’s Choice Awards

• Superintendent Dr. Shawn A. Smith: Received the 2024 Outstanding Support of Early Second Language Learning Award by National Network for Early Language Learning, and the 2025 Simon Award at the Central States Languages for All annual conference in Kansas City, Missouri

• Forest Glen Elementary School of Spanish Immersion: Received the Indiana Department of Education 2023 Excellence in Early Literacy Award

• MSDLT presented with the ACTFL Melba D. Woodruff Award for Exemplary Elementary World Language Programming in 2023

• MSDLT awards more seals of biliteracy from the Indiana Department of Education than any other district in Indiana

For more information about MSDLT’s Dual Language program, call 317-423-8200 or visit ltschools.org.

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SENIOR STUDENT-ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIP SEMI-FINALISTS

Last month, we asked you to vote for your top two Senior Student Athletes from this past school year.

This month, we are proud to unveil your scholarship semi-finalists. This time, you will vote for one of these very deserving studentathletes to receive a $500 scholarship and be featured in the June issue of Geist Magazine with Central Indiana Orthopedics.

IZZY SIMONSEN

LAWRENCE CENTRAL

Lawrence Central High School senior Isabella “Izzy” Simonsen is set up for success in more ways than one. As a four-year varsity starter for the girls’ volleyball team and standing 5 feet 9 inches, Simonsen is a force to be reckoned with on the court.

Off the court, you will find Simonsen in her other “happy” place – the stage. Having played a Dolly Parton-inspired take on the Pharaoh in last spring’s performance of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat,” Simonsen is passionate about theater.

“I’ve known I was going to be an actress for as long as I can remember,” Simonsen said. “Performing in front of people has always been my passion, whether in the living room doing impromptu dance routines or on the big stage. For me, theater is a place where I can be my authentic self and perform. My favorite thing about acting is how it allows me to fully step into someone else’s shoes and portray them in a way that brings the audience closer to not only the character, but the overall story.”

Simonsen holds leadership positions for the varsity volleyball team and the International Thespian Society. She is the speaking captain of her team and the webmaster for the Lawrence Central theater social media accounts.

On top of that, academics remain front and center. Simonsen has completed 12 A.P. courses. “I use my study halls to help me get ahead on all of my homework to make sure that I don’t fall behind with as much as I’m doing,” she said.

“I am also a member of the National Technical Honor Society [NTHS] through MCIT, the district career school, and the biomedical program/pathway offered there.”

Between the National Honor Society and NTHS, Simonsen completed a staggering 220 hours of community service. “I do this with whatever little free time I have,” she said. “But honestly, this does act as a sort of unwind for me. Giving back to the community is something that I see as a part of my lifestyle, not as a chore on my agenda.”

Simonsen is also a part of the Lawrence Central Dance Marathon, which raises money for Riley Hospital for Children. Last year she raised 25% of the overall school donation.

As for what comes after graduation, she remains undecided but is leaning toward a larger school to get what her dad calls a “more traditional college experience.”

AVA COUSIN

LAWRENCE NORTH

Lawrence North High School senior Ava Cousin is not just an impressive athlete and a stellar student, but also a passionate lover of basketball. Her journey with the sport began at the age of 7 at her church. This love for the game has been a driving force in her life, leading her to continue playing through middle and high school. “My first coach was my dad, and he taught me that playing basketball should be fun,” Cousin said.

Cousin plays guard for the Lawrence North girls’ basketball team and the newly added girls’ flag football team. She says she got involved with flag football because she thought it sounded fun.

“Ava Cousin is an exemplary student-athlete, and we are immensely proud of all that she has accomplished both on and off the court,” said Stephen Thomas, girls basketball head coach. “Her strong character, leadership, and dedication serve as an inspiration to everyone around her. Ava consistently demonstrates what it means to be prepared and committed, reminding our Lawrence North girls basketball team that

when you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready. Congratulations Ava. We are confident that your best is yet to come.”

Cousin’s academic prowess is equally impressive, with a 4.25 GPA and membership in the National Honor Society. Her dedication to her studies is evident in her academic achievements. She has also volunteered around the school in many capacities throughout the years, through the Lawrence North Athletic Council. She has also attended the IHSAA Student Leadership Summit. She also gives back to the community by volunteering at New Direction Church.

This fall, she wants to major in biology and pursue a career in dentistry. “I like the idea of becoming a dentist because it allows me to be my own boss,” Cousin said. “I’m able to have a successful career but also have a personal life. I also like that I’m able to transform someone’s life by helping them achieve their best smile,” she says. Her vision for her future is not just ambitious, but also inspiring.

Expert Orthopedic Care in Your Community

As a proud partner of the Fishers community, Central Indiana Orthopedics provides compassionate, expert care to all our patients. At our state-of-the-art Fishers campus, we offer a Walk-In Clinic, sports medicine, outpatient surgery, physical therapy and more. For your orthopedic health, visit us for personalized care close to home.

For a complete list of services and to find the hours of our Walk-In Clinic, visit ciocenter.com/Fishers Or schedule an appointment by calling 800-622-6575.

ciocenter.com/Fishers

800-622-6575

THE NEW FRONTIER

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS DRIVE GIRLS’ FLAG FOOTBALL GROWTH

Writer / Melissa Gibson

Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. It will be added to the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. More than 50 colleges are expected to have girls flag football teams by 2028 in response to overwhelming interest.

That’s why the Indianapolis Colts and the Jim Irsay family committed $1 million to growing the girls high school flag football program in Indiana. In order to make flag football a sanctioned sport with the Indiana High School Athletic Association, 100 high schools must participate in the program.

They’re calling the new campaign “Road to 100” and they’re nearly halfway there.

In 2023 the Colts formed a high school football league with eight teams, and in 2024 the league expanded to 27 teams. It’s a statewide network to grow the game in Indiana and help connect young athletes to NFL FLAG-sanctioned programs.

There are 43 Indiana high schools, including Beech Grove, Warren Central, Pike and beyond, that have committed to offering a girl’s flag football program, with more signing up every day.

When a new team is launched, the Colts help offset costs with funds for equipment,

uniforms, training and coaching.

“We want to drive participation to the game and continue to support and amplify the game,” said Andy Matis, senior manager of football development at the Indianapolis Colts. “As we grow, we’re able to incorporate more audience, which is a key focus.”

Unlike tackle football, play consists of two 24-minute halves. It’s a five-on-five format and players rotate positions throughout the game. The field is smaller than a standard tackle football field, 40 yards in width and 100 yards in length. Of course, instead of tackling the opponent, the goal is to pull a flag from their waistband. Point scoring is similar, with six points for a touchdown.

It’s safe to say that in the past, young women have not had the same elite-level options in football as young men have had, but when the Colts opened up the opportunity for a women’s league, they were met with plenty of interest.

In fact, 50% of the girls coming out for flag football tryouts have signed up for their first high school sports program ever.

“Even in youth leagues they’ve consistently offered coed options, but there’s two girls in the midst of all the boys coming out for

these,” Matis said. “They might not feel inclined even though they’re interested. Now, having your own space in sports, you don’t have to ask if you love the game enough to try tackle. You have your space in the sport.”

Young women from the original eight teams have enjoyed the nature of the game and the relationships formed through the process, just like many other tight-knit sports teams. It’s a memory they’ll never forget.

Players from the Colts team have been supportive as well, happy to see the sport continue to grow in unique and inclusive ways.

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin has recently been named Global Flag Ambassador for the NFL’s commitment to growing flag football across the nation. Franklin has been working with the league over the past few years, and wants to help drive support and make the program fun.

“This is just a great opportunity,” Franklin said. “Everyone loves the game and football has taught me so much about life. This program gives young women the opportunity to learn those lessons and build those bonds.”

He’ll be hosting a clinic for flag football teams in the state soon and hopes to invite a few individuals from the U.S. team to get involved.

“Last year I had the chance to help coach girls flag football players at Lucas Oil Stadium and I was so impressed by the skill, tenacity and passion of these young ladies,” Franklin said. “I look forward to helping grow flag football in Indiana and around the world, and providing more opportunities for girls and boys alike to learn, play and connect through this awesome sport.”

Like most team sports, flag football offers physical and mental health benefits, hones teamwork skills, and teaches discipline and resilience.

Just in the past few years, reports from high school athletic directors across the state have been positive. Young women who were

having a tough time in school are now getting better grades. Attendance is up and the empowerment they feel is evident.

“We’re building the next generation of strong adults,” Matis said. “The appetite is there. The interest is there. To see these girls come out and bring their competitive fire to this sport has been really inspiring.”

School representatives interested in participating can find more information at colts.com/football development/flag/ high-school-girls-flag.