North Indy Magazine November 2023

NOVEMBER 2023

MAGAZINE

Court Command JAYMESON KINLEY DEMONSTRATES LEADERSHIP AND RESILIENCE AS A BUTLER VOLLEYBALL TEAM LEADER

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Premier Weight Loss

HOMES WITH HISTORY

Meridian-Kessler Home Tour Turns 50

TownePost.com

* ! f f o 10% *Valid Thru Dec. 23

Show us this ad for a free Funko POP! $10 and under with $25 purchase.

Valid Nov. 1st - Dec. 31st

A TOWNE POST NETWORK PUBLICATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

IN THIS ISSUE

NOVEMBER 2023

SCAN TO LISTEN NOW!

For advertising information, contact:

EPISODE 6: DAN "HANDSKILLZ" THOMPSON LOCAL ARTIST AND MURALIST

PUBLISHERS MICHAEL & LINDSAY DURR michael@townepost.com 630.853.1142

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC.

EPISODE 7: GUGGMAN HAUS OWNERS ON LOCATION.

Sponsored by Fitness Clinic of Indy, IMAX at The Indiana State Museum and Motor EV.

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 TONI EADS VAL AUSTIN COPY EDITORS JON SHOULDERS NATALIE PLATT

4

16

Premier Weight Loss

Meridian-Kessler Home Tour Turns 50

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

HOMES WITH HISTORY

6

20

Aunt Becky’s Jammies Program Provides Pajama Sets for Kids in Need

Students and Parents Find Many Benefits Through Willow Lake Elementary’s Dual Language Immersion Program

SPIRIT OF THE SEASON

11

SPEAKING VOLUMES

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

Jaymeson Kinley Demonstrates Leadership and Resilience as a Butler Volleyball Team Leader

KEY CONTRIBUTORS TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: 317-810-0011

@THISISNORTHINDY FOR FRANCHISE INFORMATION, VISIT franchising.townepost.com

RENEE LARR / GRACE JACKSON / SARAH BROWNING / ELY AYERS MICHELLE KAUFMAN / RYAN GABBERT

P RE M I E R WEIGHT LOSS Writer / Renee Larr Photographer / Michael Durr

8902 N. Meridian St., Suite 100 Indianapolis, IN

317-643-4444

pwlindy.com

CONNECT

Losing weight is often a difficult battle, but with the onset of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic®, Wegovy® and Mounjaro®, the fight is getting a little easier. While the drugs can be a valuable tool for weight loss, patients utilizing them need to be monitored closely by a medical professional. Premier Weight Loss opened their doors in August with the goal of providing top-of-the-line weightmanagement expertise to the Indianapolis market.

At Premier Weight Loss, patients meet with a doctor or nurse practitioner at their initial appointment to discuss weight-loss goals and nutritional habits. They also complete an InBody test, a body composition analysis that breaks down a patient’s weight in terms of fat, muscle and water.

“Patients discuss their history with weight loss, previous blood labs, exercise history, medical history and goals,” says Thomas Hilbert, chief executive officer of Premier Weight Loss. “They also go into a deep dive of the information from the InBody test. By the end of the appointment, the providers will determine if the patient is a good candidate for a weight-loss medication.”

Dr. Elizabeth Osterman leads the team at Premier Weight Loss. She is board certified in family medicine and is completing her specialty fellowship training in obesity medicine. Victoria Langhammer is a certified family nurse practitioner specializing in obesity medicine. Samantha Pugh rounds out the team as a board-certified family nurse practitioner with eight years of experience

and a bachelor’s degree in exercise science.

“We have a great, well-rounded team here,” Hilbert says. “They spend a lot of time completing continuing education specific to obesity management. They really work well together to provide the best outcomes for each patient. Tory has spent a good amount of time working in obesity management and Samantha has a lot of experience working in family medicine, so they’re a great team to bounce ideas off each other.”

Hilbert says Premier Weight Loss is unique because they dispense these GLP-1 medications directly to the patient. He says this enables them to cut out the middleman and offer weight-loss medications for up to 65% cheaper than retail pharmacies. He warns of compounded drugs claiming to be the generic version of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic®. Stated simply, compounded formulations lack regulation and safety data.

“The drug companies have spent years formulating these drugs, going through patient trials and collecting years’ worth of data, so we stick with the branded, FDAapproved drugs,” Hilbert says.

At Premier, patients are required to attend a six-week follow-up visit to monitor results and receive their next prescription.

Patients complete another InBody test to ensure they’re healthily losing weight.

Hilbert says their providers want to ensure patients maintain muscle mass while losing fat. Premier also provides patients with nutritional counseling and materials.

4 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

“It’s extremely important for the team to see patients in person rather than on a Zoom call or not at all,” Hilbert says.

“These drugs work well, but they must be monitored closely by a trained medical professional.”

Hilbert says the staff will deny patients when they see fit. He says their typical patient is trying to lose weight and has experienced struggles in the past with their weight loss. He says patients looking to lose 10 pounds before a wedding differ from the type of patients his clinic treats.

What happens when a patient reaches their goal weight and their objective becomes maintaining results?

“These drugs are fairly new on the market, and there isn’t much clinical evidence out there yet for the best way to maintain results while stopping GLP-1 usage,” Hilbert says. “However, we have seen that going off of it cold turkey is not a great idea. Typically, people see their hunger come back rather quickly. We prefer to start spacing out dosing from every seven days to every 10. If the patient can keep the weight off, we can space it to every 14 days. So it’s monitored every step of the way.” He notes that their goal is to help patients transition off these medications while maintaining results.

An initial consultation is $99. Memberships are available for $50 per month and include Thomas Hilbert / CEO Premier unlimited provider access, Weight Loss body composition testing and nutritional counseling. A one-month supply of low-dose Ozempic® is $300, and a one-month supply of low-dose Mounjaro® is $375 - meaning if you’re interested in brandname weight-loss medications but can’t afford the exorbitant prices at many retail pharmacies, Premier Weight Loss may be a great option for you. *Ozempic® and Wegovy® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk, and Mounjaro® is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly, which are not affiliated with, or sponsors of, Premier Weight Loss.

TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / 5

Spirit of the Season

AUNT BECKY’S JAMMIES PROGRAM PROVIDES PAJAMA SETS FOR KIDS IN NEED

The opportunities that life brings us ebb and flow, and it is up to us to seize them.

planned to sell flowers out of an old home just one street west of the Monon Trail in Broad Ripple. To say she is simply selling flowers, however, would be an understatement. From what started as a niche offshoot from her previous career in the nonprofit space, lilly lane was born.

Just as surely as Sally - the one who sells seashells by the seashore - rolls with the tide, so does Becky Ruby-Wojtowicz. A mother, business owner, Hoosier and community member, she never

Through continued moments of serendipity, lilly lane grew into the thriving, woman-owned business it is today. As a Butler University graduate who “didn’t really leave the ‘bubble,’” as

Writer / Grace Jackson Photographer / Sarah Browning

6 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

725 E 65TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS (317) 252-5838 BARRERIPPLE.COM

Holiday gifts for everyone on your list GOURMET POPCORN BAGS, TINS & GIFT BOXES To place an order, please email orders@justpopinonline.com

@BARRERIPPLE

FINISH THE YEAR STRONG

6406 CORNELL AVE, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46220 317.25.SWEET • JUSTPOPINPOPCORN.COM

WITH 23 DAYS OF UNLIMITED CLASSES TO USE THIS MONTH!

JUST $99

TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / 7

she puts it, she had strong friendships in the surrounding community that became her first clients. It was in the golden time when everyone around her was getting married, and she offered floral expertise that was sparked at a young age “I always made cute little crafts growing up,” Ruby-Wojtowicz says. Continuing such interest and passion into her adult life, she gained professional experience with arranging while working at the gardens located in the Indianapolis Zoo. These pockets of passion and experience, along with a supportive group of friends and family, have allowed her to grow her business for over 15 years. Aside from making gorgeous wedding arrangements, lilly lane also provides their services for a variety of events, corporate and nonprofit alike.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they pivoted, further showing expert adaptability. As events and weddings were continuously being pushed back, lilly lane offered a monthly subscription program through which flowers would show up right at your doorstep. Despite minimal marketing effort for this service, Ruby-Wojtowicz found success in this too. “It’s fun to get to know people and make them flowers,” she says, forever focused on a personalized, not-just-anothervendor experience.

Building community is the cornerstone of lilly lane’s success. Just as Ruby-Wojtowicz’s early clients were friends, her new clients became friends, evolving together in the Broad Ripple and midtown area. There is even a close-knit group of lilly lane babies who have had the unique privilege of growing up together. Ruby-Wojtowicz has two children herself and loves the flexibility that her job offers to spend quality time with them.

Along with her niece and nephew, her kids were the inspiration for Aunt Becky’s Jammies, a holiday pajama donation program that

will formally kick off this year. The first holiday season that RubyWojtowicz’s daughter and niece were born, her sister-in-law visited her home and found a special surprise - matching PJs. At the time, matching holiday jammies was still a relatively novel idea, especially if the babies weren’t twins.

Nevertheless, it was a hit, and Ruby-Wojtowicz’s sister-in-law turned to her and said the words that would go down in history: “Aunt Becky jammies!” Now, every holiday season, her kids as well as her niece and nephew will wear matching pajamas - a tradition that allows the family to feel close even if they’re not all together.

Wanting to spread even a bit of that joy to her community, she officially began Aunt Becky’s Jammies. For every holiday gift arrangement purchased this year, part of the proceeds will go directly to purchasing pajama sets for children in need. This year’s package sales will dictate how much they can spend on jammies for next year. As a parent, Ruby-Wojtowicz feels very deeply about spreading positivity and magic to kids during the holidays, and wants to lift a small burden off of other parents who may be struggling. For her 40th birthday, her only wish is to give back to the community that has supported her and her own.

Though Ruby-Wojtowicz doesn’t describe herself as a go-with-theflow person, the way she has seized opportune moments in her life is truly commendable. Despite little interest in a career in the florist industry starting out, she has sustained a vibrant, communityfocused business where, as she says, “letting go of expectations is part of the process.”

“I think people really do associate flowers with feelings,” she says, when asked why she thinks people have an innate connection with flowers. She adds that a certain floral scent can bring up an important memory, and flowers can help people connect on a personal level. It is evident that lilly lane is a part of this memorymaking process for countless folks in the north Indy area, and they’re looking forward to continuing it with Aunt Becky’s Jammies.

LIVE AT THE SPEED OF INDY.

Photo: MLK Center / Credit: Michael Durr via Life In Indy Library

Imagine your home, totally organized!

Custom Closets, Garage Cabinets, Home Offices, Laundries, Pantries, Wall Beds, and more!

40% Off

Free Installation 15% Off Plus

PLUS TAKE AN EXTRA

2023© All Rights Reserved. Closets by Design, Inc.

Terms and Conditions: 40% off any order of $1000 or more or 30% off any order of $700-$1000 on any complete c us tom closet, garage, or home office unit. Take an additional 15% offon any complete system order. Not valid with any other offer. Free installation with any complete unit order of $850 or more. With incoming order, at time of purchase only. Offer not valid in all regions. Exp. 12/31/23.

12 MONTH

SPECIAL FINANCING!

With approved credit. Call or ask your Designer for details.

Not available in all areas.

Call for a free in home design consultation and estimate

317-779-3212

TP

www.closetsbydesign.com

Locally Owned and Operated

Voted “Best Indy Men’s Clothing Shop”� ”�

Featuring�

Vuori� Alan Paine� Mizzen + Main� Scott Barber� Mavi� Stone Rose� Far Afield�

& many more designers� 54th & Monon Shops� 1134 E. 54th Street Studio K� Locally Owned & Operated� 10 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

Court Command JAYMESON KINLEY DEMONSTRATES LEADERSHIP AND RESILIENCE AS A BUTLER VOLLEYBALL TEAM LEADER Writer / Ely Ayers Photographer / Michael Durr

An atmosphere as high-stakes as NCAA Division I athletics commands a level of both physical talent and mental fortitude that few ever walk with.

Butler University volleyball ace Jaymeson Kinley isn’t merely a libero; she stands as a conductor orchestrating the delicate interplay between mental resilience, leadership and the pursuit of greatness.

As she embarks on her fifth and final season in the iconic Bulldog uniform, Kinley’s narrative transcends statistics, delving into the intricate dance of pressure, the lionhearted spirit that defines her journey, and the constant reflection of what true leadership in life looks like. A two-time Big East Libero of the Year, Kinley has etched her name into the Butler record books, setting new standards for excellence in digs per set, total season digs, and what an overall legacy of greatness should look like for anyone who wears the Butler blue and cool gray.

From the first time she picked up a volleyball at the age of 7, Kinley knew her journey would lead her to the competitive stage of Division I. “I’ve been playing volleyball since I was 7, so it was no surprise that my goal one day was to play Division I,” she says. “I was drawn to Butler for the competitive conference, as well as the family and team atmosphere. I really wanted to make a lasting impression here at Butler.”

This season, the court dynamics have shifted with an influx of talented freshmen securing spots in the starting lineup. It’s a challenge Kinley welcomes, TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / 11

seeing it as an opportunity to impart her experience and maintain team focus. Kinley admittedly thrives in a role of ensuring the team members are maintaining mental balance and strength for everything thrown the their way.

“It’s definitely different than previous years,” she says. “I feel as if my role is to keep everyone levelheaded and focused. It is super important to me as a leader to make sure everyone else is steady and in the right mindset. I like to remind myself that I was made for moments like this, and that this is what I’ve trained for my whole life.”

Kinley shares that her ascension is not just about her individual accomplishments. It’s a testament to the indomitable spirit she says she inherited from her mother, and a testament to what leadership beyond the volleyball court represents.

“I think seeing my mom work so hard as a single mom, seeing her drive, and seeing her overflowing her time and money into our lives to make sure we were successful, really drives me every day,” she says.

The echoes of her mother’s dedication reverberate in Kinley’s approach to the game.

FREE FARE

Brought to you by

TUESDAY, NOV. 7

ON ELECTION DAY You have the RIDE to vote! indygo.net 12 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

@IndyGoBus

“I always want to make sure that I try my hardest, am always giving full effort, and am loving what I do,” she says. “It is something that my mother instilled in me. It hasn’t gone away, and I try to show that every single time I step on the volleyball court.”

When asked about having an on-court alter ego that comes alive when competition approaches, Kinley humbly says she is “the same Jaymeson on and off the court. I think I’m just a more dialed-in version of myself.”

Her achievements speak volumes about her dedication to the sport - two-time conference Libero of the Year, All-Tournament MVP, All-Conference, and American Volleyball Coaches Association Honorable Mention. Yet, Kinley remains focused on the essence of her leadership, and uses her platform as more than a sport. For Kinley, it is a way to influence everyone around her to be great.

Your Neighborhood Real Estate Resource

“I want to make sure I am as approachable as possible, and be someone that people always feel comfortable around on and off the court if they have something going on,” she says. “I love being the person to motivate and hype up my teammates, and that’s what truly drives my leadership - seeing other people succeed.”

ROBBAEHNER

Kinley’s journey has not been without its challenges. A little over a year ago she underwent double leg surgery, her first athletic injury ever. The months away from the court, she says,

rob.baehner@talktotucker.com F.C. TUCKER talktotucker.com/rob.baehner COMPANY

Scan above for my information.

REALTOR®/BROKER

3 1 7. 4 4 7. 4 8 5 4

3 4 0 5

E A S T

8 6 T H

S T R E E T

TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / 13

|

I N D I A N A P O L I S

I N

4 6 2 4 0

BIG EAST IN THE MIDWEST BUTLER MEN’S BASKETBALL

1/2 PAGE (ISLAND)

SINGLE GAME TICKETS ON SALE NOW BUTLERSPORTS.COM/BUYTICKETS

DEC. 19

JAN. 5

FEB. 10

JAN. 13

FEB. 13

JAN. 20

FEB. 17

JAN. 27

FEB. 28

MAR. 6

butler.edu

were mentally taxing, but it became a transformative period for her growth as both a player and teammate.

When asked about legacy, Kinley reverts back to a theme that remains constant others.

“The legacy I hope to leave at Butler is, yes, it is always good to be a great player and getting awards and accolades, but the most important thing to me is being a great teammate,” she says. “If you can be anything, be a good teammate.”

In a sport where individual achievements often take the spotlight, Jaymeson Kinley stands as a beacon of selfless leadership, proving that true success is not just measured in points and awards, but also in the positive impact one leaves on their teammates and the legacy they build for the future of the game.

14 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

ON SALE NOW

NOVEMBER 16 – 26 • OLD NATIONAL CENTRE ©Disney

BroadwayInIndianapolis.com

TIS’ THE SEASON TO CAPTURE

Whether you need a gift for a photo enthusiast or you want to splurge on the latest and greatest gear for yourself, Roberts Camera has you covered! You can also find a wide variety vintage film cameras and used equipment in the Used Photo Pro area of the store or online at usedphotopro.com.

Everything from stocking stuffers to the number one photographic gift on Santa’s list. It’s all here!

Upcoming Classes and Events: “What I saw inside the Presidency” - Pete Souza Nov. 9th 6pm - 9pm FALL EXPO - Nov. 18th 10am to 5pm

CANON’S R SYSTEM: UNDERSTANDING IT -

Nov. 15th 6pm - 7pm

4 WEEK FUNDAMENTALS OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Dec. 6th, 12th, 20th and 27th - ONLINE ONLY

220 E St Clair St Indianapolis, IN 46204 317.636.5544 ROBERTSCAMERA.COM TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / 15

HOMES WITH HISTORY MERIDIAN-KESSLER HOME TOUR TURNS 50 Writer & Photographer / Michelle Kaufman

F

“I feel like this area of town is the definition of a neighborhood,” Laura says.

“You know your neighbors and you have this wonderful sense of community here.

I’ve sort of always wanted to live here Cathy enjoys her backyard garden and the when I was growing up, and now that I During the most recent Meridian-Kessler actually get to be here, it feels like all of walkability of the area. During the tour, Home Tour, dozens of people walked my dreams have come true of feeling like artist Thom Fairchild displayed his work through seven homes - the same number people are looking out for our kids. We and painted in the couple’s yard. Both of homes that the first tour had in 1973.

John and Cathy have seen the area grow as can ask people to get our mail, we had a block party on our street and we just feel new restaurants and shops have opened.

For the last 45 years, Cathy and John so fortunate to be able to live here.”

Bridge have lived in the 4700 block of Washington Boulevard. They are only the “The neighborhood just keeps getting The Ryan home features five bedrooms third owners of the home, which was built better and better,” Cathy says. “We love that feel of sidewalks, and seeing families and three floors of living space. On in 1935. It features four floors, including the third floor, a claw-foot tub sits in a walking down the street with children former maids’ quarters that are now a bathroom with pink walls. pulling a wagon.” home office. or 50 years, homeowners in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood have opened their doors to showcase history and diversity.

“Cathy is a native New Yorker and I’m a Hoosier,” John says. “We met in New York City and I tried to persuade her to come to Indianapolis. When she saw the houses in this neighborhood, she said, ‘OK, maybe Indianapolis will be alright.’

I think this is definitely one of the prime neighborhoods in the metropolitan area. Everybody knows a lot of people throughout the neighborhood.”

Those feelings are echoed by Laura and Scott Ryan. They moved into their current home on Broadway Street in 2022, but have lived in Meridian-Kessler since 2017.

Outside, 150 varieties of hostas were planted by a former owner. The couple has three children and feels like they are caretakers of the space.

“The people who lived in the house

before us have maintained this binder of home history at least going back 2025 years,” Laura says. “There was an old magazine about the neighborhood back in the early 2000s, and there was an article about one of the previous owners moving in and inheriting this massive hosta bed.

We’re trying to maintain it as best we can.”

This was the family’s first year participating in the tour. “What I love about the tour is that it just showcases so many types of homes,” Scott says. “I think for our home, what we love about it is it’s just so functional for a young family.

During the week there’s a lot of noise, a lot of toys, just a lot of things going on in this house.”

The tour is the Meridian-Kessler Neighborhood Association’s signature event. It focuses on celebrating not only the neighborhood, but also the history of the homes.

“It’s a vast array of bungalows, four squares and colonials, which is wonderful because that’s what truly represents Meridian-Kessler,” says Claire Panyard, chair of the tour. “This showcases who we are as a whole, diversity wise. I just love hearing people’s stories, hearing who they bought the house from, and everyone’s just sort of connected in this really special way.”

Panyard was born and raised in the neighborhood, and used to volunteer and attend the event with her childhood best friend. The tour allows her to combine her love of old homes and history with a fundraiser for the area where she and her husband, who volunteers with the neighborhood association, live.

“This place is so rich with great history that I get so excited to meet these homeowners,” Panyard says.

“It’s remarkable to see the passion

that neighbors in this area have for the community as a whole, and these homes that are just so wonderfully preserved and thoughtfully updated.”

The Bridges hope the event gave attendees ideas on how to decorate their own homes and identify their style. The couple has kept the home’s traditional style and hasn’t done any major renovations to the home, while other homes have been drastically renovated.

To celebrate 50 years of the tour, attendees enjoyed music by the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and artwork by seven Indianapolis artists.

Proceeds from the event benefited the neighborhood association, which hopes to continue the event for years to come.

Visit mkna.org/home-tour for more info.

Health Coverage Made Easy

Relax your brain.

As your health insurance broker, we can help with all of your health insurance needs including Medicare, individual coverage on or off the Health Insurance Marketplace/healthcare.gov, small group plans, dental and vision coverage. Our services cost you nothing and are available to you anytime of the year.

Reset your life.

Cereset® helps your brain relax and reset itself, enabling you to achieve higher levels of well-being and balance throughout your life.

Angie Mercer

Matthew Kubal

Matthew Mundy

Call 317-253-1990 or 866-236-4181

•overcome worry & anxiety •support restful sleep •restore hope & happiness •enhance learning & memory •release “stuck” stress •increase energy & performance

Intro to Cereset $99 Special

insurance@indianahp.com

Book now in Carmel 317.922.7588

A shot in the arm can take a load off your mind.

Anyone from 6-month-olds to seniors can get COVID protection with safe vaccines and boosters that are free whether you have insurance or not. Find an Eskenazi Health Center near you at EskenaziHealth.edu/FreeVaccines.

Please scan to learn more.

18 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / 19

SPEAKING VOLUMES STUDENTS AND PARENTS FIND MANY BENEFITS THROUGH WILLOW LAKE ELEMENTARY’S DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAM Writer / Ryan Gabbert Photography Provided

As the amount of Spanish speakers in the United States grows every year and the world becomes increasingly connected, more adults are finding out how useful being bilingual really is. The phrase “I wish I had paid more attention during high school Spanish” is no longer exclusive to that girls trip to Cabo.

While it is considerably harder, but not impossible, to become bilingual as an adult, children have much higher success rates.

Willow Lake Elementary School stands out in the crowd in this respect, as it facilitates a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program that has produced tremendous results both in and out of the classroom.

Founded in 2019, the DLI program started out with just two classes and has now grown to over 250 students.

Beginning in kindergarten English- and

Spanish-speaking students are brought together where they learn, socialize and grow as one. The instruction is primarily in Spanish at first (80 % Spanish, 20% English), with greater emphasis placed on English each year as the students progress all the way to fifth grade.

and how they form part of it.”

The goals of this program are for the students to become bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish, and to create an atmosphere that encourages multiculturalism.

“It was just eye-opening for me, my heart, my vocation, everything, because I believe that teaching as I have done in a DLI classroom, it’s really what teaching should look like and feel like,” Coronado says. “They have to interact, they have to repeat, they have to do what others do, and it doesn’t matter what language they speak at home. They help each other and it’s very social, which I love.”

Originally from Columbia, Lisec Coronado is a second-grade teacher at Willow Lake and is in her third year teaching in the DLI program. Every day she sees the value that this program has, both academically and in expanding the student’s worldview.

“It’s just giving the students the opportunity to actually see the world as a global community, not just Indianapolis, Indiana, and the United States,” she says. “It’s much easier for students to understand what a global community is

20 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

In addition to their academic coursework, the students also spend time playing games, listening to music and doing other activities that round out the immersion from a cultural perspective.

The results speak for themselves. Studies show that students in a program like the DLI program perform better academically and socially than students who are monolingual. Becoming bilingual at a young age can give students additional knowledge, skills and confidence that can help them succeed later in life.

The benefits don’t stop there. Many teachers report that the parents of students in the program are more willing to engage, support and play a role in their child’s education, specifically those parents whose first language is not English.

Cristina Vasquez is a DLI coach at Willow Lake and has been with the program since its inception. She is extremely proud of the impact that the program is having on the students, their families and the community as a whole.

“They feel that their language and culture is valued, which isn’t the case in many other spheres of our society,” she says.

“That has been super neat to see.”

Willow Lake continues to host many events throughout the school year, showcasing food, music, dancing and culture from around the world, always keeping the spirit of inclusivity and multiculturalism at the forefront.

With the success of the elementary school program, expansions have been planned for middle and high school. The ultimate objective is that the students could be in the program from kindergarten through high school graduation, becoming bilingual and biliterate at a professional level.

Current enrollment is limited to students who live in the Washington Township school district, but with similar programs popping up around the state, more opportunities will become available going forward.

The DLI program at Willow Lake Elementary shines as a testament to what can be achieved when a few determined educators step up and turn their passion into action. The lasting impact they have had on the students, community and education system will be felt in Indianapolis for decades to come.

If you would like more information on the program, visit Willow Lake’s website at we.msdwt.k12.in.us or call 317-280-3701.

SKIN SAVVY SERIES WEATHERING WINTER DRY SKIN

As the temperatures drop and the heat kicks on indoors, many people start to experience dry, itchy skin. The drier air in the winter – both indoors and outdoors – is a major contributor to this. Although we cannot control the weather here in Indianapolis, there are some dermatologist-recommended ways to combat winter dry skin: Moisturize your skin, head to toe, daily. When it comes to moisturizers, the thicker the better. Look for creams instead of lotions, which are often sold in tubs or jars instead of a pump bottle. Lotions often contain more water, which are usually less moisturizing than thicker creams. It is best to apply moisturizer immediately after showering or bathing, while the skin is still slightly damp. This locks in the moisture and helps restore a damaged skin barrier.

to avoid irritating the skin and stripping the skin of natural oils.

A humidifier can help restore moisture in the dry indoor air. Aim for above 30% humidity in your home during the winter months. Be sure to clean your humidifier regularly, as standing water can lead to buildup of mold and/or bacteria.

Severely dry skin with cracks or fissures can indicate a more serious dermatologic condition. As always, when in doubt, seek care with a boardcertified dermatologist to evaluate your skin.

Janelle Nassim, MD, FAAD is a dermatologist with IU Health and Assistant Professor with the IU School of Medicine. She practices in Carmel.

She moved to Indy from Boston after completing her residency at Harvard in 2021. Follow her on social media @drjanellenassim.

For the hands and feet, consider an ointment, which is even thicker than a cream. Try coating the hands or feet in a plain healing ointment before bedtime and wearing cotton socks or gloves overnight.

As much as some love a long, steaming hot shower, turning down the water temperature can benefit the skin. Hot water strips the skin of natural moisture more than warm or tepid water. Keeping showers brief can also help.

Go for gentle, fragrance-free products

22 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

Live easy & comfortably at

COTTAGE STATION RANCHES

Scan Me

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP The area’s only low-maintenance ranch community with optional basements.

Here’s a sneak peek...

Scan me to learn more!

Stone masonry & HardiPlank siding Included upgraded interiors HOA povided lawn care & snow removal Basement & rear covered porch options

Ready to learn more?

Schedule a visit or contact us today!

Quaint community with pond, walking path, common areas & more. Available basements with the option to finish. Located at the Franklin & Thompson Road roundabout.

Information is subject to change without notice. See Sales Representative for details. ©2023 NVR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / 23

24 / NORTH INDY MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com