Plainfield Magazine April 2023

V O T E D B E S T N U R S I N G H O M E V O T E D B E S T N U R S I N G H O M E

2 C O N S E C U T I V E Y E A R S !

2 C O N S E C U T I V E Y E A R S !

C a r i n g f o r t h e f a m i l i e s o f H e n d r i c k ’ s C o u n t y a n d s u r r o u n d i n g a r e a s , w e ’ v e d e d i c a t e d o u r l i v e s t o h e l p i n g H o o s i e r s s t a y p h y s i c a l l y s t r o n g , s p i r i t u a l l y r e s i l i e n t , a n d m e n t a l l y h e a l t h y . T h a t ’ s w h y w e ’ v e b e e n t h e l e a d i n g r e h a b i l i t a t i o n , n u r s i n g , a n d m e m o r y c a r e e x p e r t s f o r a l m o s t 3 0 y e a r s n o w . A t P l a i n f i e l d H e a l t h C a r e C e n t e r , h e a l i n g s t a r t s w i t h t h e f i r s t s t e p f o r w a r d .

P H Y S I C A L , O C C U P A T I O N A L , A N D S P E E C H T H E R A P Y

R E S P I R A T O R Y T H E R A P Y

F U L L D I E T A R Y S E R V I C E S

SEA CHANGE

U.S. NAVAL SEA CADETS LEARN LIFE SKILLS AND DISCIPLINE

requirements are a C+ average minimum, U.S. citizen status, and staying away from gangs, drugs and alcohol.

program. Sanctioned by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, there are 400 units throughout the United States. All officers are volunteers. Fojo works with three other officers in Avon including Administrative Officer Ensign Allison Fojo, Finance Officer INST Alexa Gardner and Career Counselor INST Douglass Bitner.

When Sergio Fojo was 18 years old, he was invited by a friend to join him at a U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps training. Fojo thought, “Why not?” Not only did he like the program enough to stick with it and later join a branch of the military, but he’s also now a junior commanding officer with the program, recruiting and training new cadets.

The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps is for boys and girls aged 10 to 17. Anyone is welcome to join (high schoolers, middle schoolers and home schoolers). The only three

Because the program is Navy-based, students learn the Sailor’s Creed as well as the 11 general orders of a sentry, just as a U.S. sailor would. Cadets also have to pass a physical readiness class just like they do in the Navy, which includes running, pushups and a plank.

Though it’s military-based, students don’t have to have plans to ultimately join the military in order to become part of this program - it’s not a high school ROTC

Since they are sanctioned by the Navy, cadets wear the same uniforms as active-duty sailors. The only difference is that they wear patches to signify that they are Sea Cadets.

During the first 90 days of the program, cadets must accomplish enlisted coursework. Completion of this and active participation in every drill during those 90 days shows a commitment to the program. Whether students enroll or their parents sign them up, Fojo sits down with each cadet to ask what they like and don’t like about the drills.

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

“Though this is a great program for any type of student, the kids who tend to thrive are the ones who want to use it to do better in life,” Fojo says. “They are the ones who often have a plan.”

Other students check out Sea Cadets because their parents were in the military, they hear about some of the trainings or they are simply curious.

Once students are in their home units for 90 days, they are sent off to recruit training (RT), during which they learn structure from their drill instructors. RT is like basic training but lasts just two weeks, and generally takes place at a military base.

“Students come back way more respectful and obedient towards their parents and elders,” Fojo says. “That’s something a lot of parents love about the program.”

Once RT is completed, students are invited to pursue their areas of interest. That may be scuba diving, radio communications or other areas. For example, if they are interested in public safety, they can perhaps learn how to become a military cop.

“They get to engage in training in which they bust into buildings, rescue hostages, pull people over and read them their Miranda rights,” Fojo says.

Kids who are musically talented can audition for the chance to travel to Washington, D.C., and perform for the president with other cadets from all over the nation.

Former Cadet Jack Croiser says joining the Sea Cadets changed the trajectory of his life by giving him insight into career options in the Navy.

“Now I’m a Master-At-Arms with the Navy and I’m doing things I never thought I would’ve been able to do,” Croiser says. “I owe it all to the Sea Cadets. Without that, I probably wouldn’t have enlisted in the Navy.”

Fojo’s unit holds their drills at the Avon American Legion. They meet on the second weekend of each month for eighthour drills on Saturday and Sunday. At these drills, students are taught how to march and salute, along with a variety of other lessons and tasks. For instance, at a recent drill Fojo trained his cadets on car maintenance, including how to change oil, change a tire and check brakes. Fojo’s wife, a recruiting and supply officer with the program, taught the cadets how to sew, write a check and create a resume.

“We taught them a number of life skills that schools don’t teach anymore,” says Fojo, who has taken his unit to military museums so they can see what aircraft and tanks look like.

Students and parents are allowed to visit the unit for two drills to check it out. It gives parents a chance to ask questions of the commanding officers, and lets students chat with the cadets.

Though no one who joins the Naval Sea Cadet Corps is obligated to enlist in the military, those who do find the transition much smoother because they have already learned so much. For students who want to attend college or pursue some other career path, they are eligible for scholarships and grants through the program.

Fojo regularly sees a huge shift in maturity level as cadets make their way through the training. Some kids come in with immature attitudes, displaying

disrespectful behavior. Over time, however, they not only learn to always address officers as “sir” or “ma’am,” but they also maintain a positive attitude.

Former Cadet Scott Williamson says the Sea Cadets program enabled him to try out several different pathways that the military has to offer, which ultimately helped him contemplate future career options.

“It’s given me some exciting opportunities that are related to my current career field as a pilot,” he says.

For more information, email Fojo at fojo. swinscc@gmail.com or visit seacadets.org.

Beasley’s Orchard Has Been a Homegrown Favorite for More Than 75 Years

Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographer / Amy Payne

Since 1946, three generations in the Beasley family have been bringing fresh fruits, vegetables and a ton of fun to families in Hendricks County and across the Midwest.

What began as an abundance of garden produce and a little red wagon on the side of U.S. Highway 36 has resulted in a major agriculture and agritourism spot within the county.

In the 1970s, the Beasleys transformed their Civil War-era barn into a retail market, apple packing facility and cider mill.

By the 1980s, families were taking trips there each fall to enjoy a traditional hayride and U-pick pumpkins in preparation for Halloween. In 1986, the first Heartland Apple Festival was held on the farm and quickly became a community tradition.

Today, Beasley’s Orchard sits on 165 acres and offers more than many people may realize.

“We’re looking at any improvements we want

to make and talking about new things to try,” says Owner Calvin Beasley. “There’s a lot going on behind the scenes, but very important because our season has been extended. We start U-pick strawberries in late May and it

doesn’t stop until after October.”

When the youngest generation of Beasleys came home from college in 2015, there was a huge shift to invest in agritourism. In fact, the

family was one of the first in central Indiana to adopt the agritourism business model.

“It’s not viable to not invite the community to your farm,” Beasley says. “You can’t make a living selling produce in a wagon. That business model has evaporated. However, agriculture and agritourism work holistically together. You can’t have one without the other because it’s the business of the farm that attracts the people who don’t live here but want the experience.”

By inviting guests to spend the day on the farm and taste the sweet, fresh fruit off of the plants or trees, the traditional hayride in the fall has resulted in many more options.

By adding a variety of U-pick events from strawberries to raspberries, sunflowers to pumpkins, visitors can enjoy an event nearly six months out of the year.

Even the annual fall trip to the pumpkin patch has been expanded to a full day

including a corn maze, apple cannons, Barnyard Bonanza (children’s activities), and a festival nearly every weekend throughout the season.

Though Beasley and his staff are always looking for ways to offer new and improved experiences for their customers, currently he’s turned his attention to infrastructure needs on the farm.

“We’ve planted over 40,000 apple trees since 2019, and in the next five years we’ll triple our apple production,” Beasley says.

Currently the market barn contains fresh produce, fresh baked goods, locally sourced items, and Beasley’s Orchard merchandise. In the back of the barn they still run a bakery, cider mill and fruit packing operation.

Beasley is hoping to build a new facility for efficiency and storage in the next few years, creating additional retail space in

the market and making more room for customers throughout their visit.

In addition, the work behind the scenes is paying off.

Beasley’s Orchard just brought home first place in the 2023 Indiana Horticultural Conference and Expo Cider Contest with their fresh-pressed, homegrown apples. Running a successful business doesn’t come without making tough decisions. A few years ago when Beasley made the move to general admission in the fall, he felt he lost some of the multigenerational families that held the tradition since the 1980s.

Popularity had grown to the point that staff were turning people away at the road. Guests were waiting two hours for access to attractions, and Beasley felt the general admission process would make everything run more smoothly.

“Going to general admission wasn’t easy but

it’s all about balance,” Beasley says. “Honoring your past is a wonderful thing but business has to continue to move forward. We have to evolve.”

Regardless of some tough decisions made, Beasley says the relationship with his customers is incredibly important.

“It’s everything to us,” he says. “We don’t do anything without first thinking about the customers and how they will perceive those changes. Ninety percent of what we grow on this farm is sold right here, directly to our customers. That’s why we decided to plant additional apple trees. The demand for fruit was outpacing the supply we had.”

That’s why Beasley continues to work on adding events that allow customers to enjoy life on the farm.

For the second year, the Easter bunny will be on hand for scheduled photos in early April. Visit the Beasley’s Orchard website to reserve a time slot.

From late May to early June, visitors can pick strawberries on the farm, officially kicking off the growing season. In June and July, U-pick raspberry season leads directly into U-pick sunflower season.

In September and October visitors can enjoy picking a variety of apples, which ties

into the fall pumpkin-picking season and festival events, all of which have been met with excitement and enthusiasm from the community.

In December Beasley’s Orchard offers Christmas at the Orchard, including scheduled photos with Santa.

The amount of work that goes into growing enough fruits and vegetables to accommodate the U-pick seasons may surprise some, but Beasley has it down to a science.

“There really has to be a perfect combination of factors,” he says. “Apples and strawberries can be super risky. The strawberries bloom early in the year and there’s a risk of frost. I’ve been able to determine a five-degree difference on our own farm, so if you look at the forecast and it says 34 degrees, when you get down lower to the ground where your strawberries are growing, it could be within freezing temperatures.”

Managers Erin & Jim and owner

Calvin Beasley

After shaping the beds, covering them with straw each winter, removing the straw in the spring, planting, cleaning up foliage, and other detailed work, losing 50% of the strawberry yield can be quite expensive. This process of production is what Beasley finds most rewarding.

“I love it,” he says. “It makes it really rewarding when you make it through the ups and downs of the growing season. I’d do this for free but it’s not easy. There’s a lot of things out of your control and it’s not for the faint of heart. You can do everything right and still fail. I don’t know that there are a lot of professions that are like that.”

He has big shoes to fill but has carried on the family tradition on the farm since 2018. Those who know the family and have visited over the years can see the positive changes Beasley has brought to the business.

“I think my parents would be overjoyed with the growth,” he says. “They seized opportunities when presented to them, starting festivals back in the 1980s. I hope I’m making them proud.”

Beasley’s Orchard is located at 2304 East Main Street in Danville. Like the Beasley’s Orchard Facebook page to stay up to date on U-pick and other events, or visit beasleys-orchard.com. Hours are subject to weather and other factors.

JOINT PAIN? MAKE A MOVE!

The things that move you and keep you moving through life are everything. So, if you’re suffering from joint pain and want to get back to going with the flow, the Franciscan Health Center for Hip & Knee Surgery is your best move. Get in touch to find your flow again.

MOORESVILLE (317) 831-2273

COMMUNICATION TIPS FOR AMAZING RELATIONSHIPS

Story & Photography Provided by Autumn Rae

The quality of your relationships determines the quality of your life, and good relationships require excellent communication.

Try practicing a few of the tips below and watch your relationships transform into the real connections you’ve always craved. Communication is a skill, and just like any other skill, it can be learned.

• ASK FIRST. Most often, we jump into what we want to say without checking in with the other person on whether it’s a good time for them. Here’s what this could sound like: “Hey, there’s something important I want to talk to you about regarding our relationship. Do you have some time and feel ready for that right now, or would something in the next couple days be better?”

• SLOW DOWN. This is the answer to 99% of our communication problems. Most of us genuinely care about the people we are in relationships with and want to do our best. When there is tension, things can get out of control, and it happens fast. Try taking a deep breath between each sentence. You can even say to the other person. “I really care about you and this conversation. Can we slow down?”

• TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT’S IN YOUR CUP. If you’re carrying a cup full of coffee and someone bumps into you, what spills? The coffee, of course. If tea had been in your

cup, tea would have spilled, and so on. In relationships or conflict, when someone bumps into us, the only possible response they can get comes from what’s already inside of us. Are you holding anger, judgment and resentment in your cup, or are you filled with compassion, courage and love?

• “THE STORY I’M MAKING UP IS…” This is one of the most powerful ways to start a sentence and take responsibility for your thoughts. Our minds naturally create stories to explain other people’s behavior, whether accurate or not. We need to check these stories with the other person before we react as if they’re true. First, share this concept with them, acknowledging that you know you might be inaccurate, and then say something like, “You were late today, and the story I’m making up is that I’m not a priority to you.” This is a high-level skill that can be triggering even to those who are seasoned in their communication journey. Do your best to apply the other tips in this list while practicing this phrase.

• ARGUE FOR THE OTHER PERSON’S SIDE. This is a mental exercise to gain compassion and help you see the other person’s perspective during conflict. Grab some paper or a computer and start to imagine what it’s like to be them. Write out feelings, hurts, desires and thoughts. You can then share these with the other person, with a sentence that starts like, “I imagine you’re feeling/wanting/needing…Is that right?”

• CLEAN THE WINDOWS. In other words, be radically honest, and do it often - first with yourself, then with the person

you’re in a relationship with. It can feel easier to push aside the hurt, pretend everything is fine or ignore what you really wish would happen. However, the more you don’t say, the “dirtier” your relationship windows get. Over time, neither of you will see your relationship clearly, resentments will build and the relationship will break down.

• PAUSE AS NEEDED AND GIVE A TIME WHEN YOU’LL RETURN. It’s OK, and quite skillful, to take a break when you notice a conversation is getting too intense. Rather than stay in it when you’re both not thinking clearly and likely to say things you’ll wish you hadn’t, take a break. It’s important to pick a time when you’ll come back together though. Here’s what this could sound like: “I’m noticing that my emotions are running the show right now. This conversation is important to me, so I want to have my head on straight. I’m going to take a walk to calm down, and I’ll be back in 20 minutes.”

• REGULATE YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM AND EMOTIONS. It doesn’t matter how many communication skills you learn if you aren’t calm enough to apply those skills in a heated moment. This is a complex rewiring, but some easy ways to start are breath work, mindfulness training, and cuddling with a pet or loved one.

• WORK WITH A COACH. Although we can make progress with self-study and practice, an outside, professional perspective can help us reach our relationship goals faster and with more ease than we ever could on our own. A coach can help us identify our triggers, get clear on our needs, problem-solve specific relationship challenges, provide support in emotional regulation, and develop a framework for creating the relationships and life we want.

• PRIORITIZE SLEEP (DON’T SKIP THIS ONE!). Getting enough quality sleep has serious impacts on our ability to regulate our emotions in conversations. Research shows us that without enough of it, we’re more likely to overreact, misinterpret and say things that we later regret. With a rested brain and body, it’s much easier to consciously choose how we want to respond, rather than jump to an emotionally charged and usually harmful reaction.

About Autumn Rae: Autumn is a trauma-informed life and relationship coach, certified yoga teacher, and degreed educator. She transformed her own life and relationships through a spiritual, self-love pilgrimage extending from Bali to Costa Rica. It is now her soul’s mission to help people master their communication and emotional regulation, and guide them on their path to passionate love, inner peace, and authentic, vibrant living.

Check her out on Instagram @autumnrae.co.

COUNTY PRIDE

MAKE THE MOST OF WHERE YOU LIVE WITH VISIT HENDRICKS COUNTY’S MANY RESOURCES

When the Hendricks County Convention and Visitors Bureau, now Visit Hendricks County (VHC), hired me 11 years ago, I remember telling a good friend of mine about my new job. After congratulating me, he asked two questions that have resonated with me ever since. Who would visit Hendricks County? Why do we even need a visitors bureau?

More than a decade later, maybe you wonder the same thing.

Tourism is thriving in our county, and plays a vital role in our economic development and making our community a vibrant place to live, work and raise a family. Hendricks County attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, and I have the numbers to prove it.

TOURISM’S IMPACT

In 2019, the most recent numbers we have, visitors spent more than $300 million in Hendricks County, including contributing more than $50 million in local taxes. For every dollar spent by a visitor, 59 cents stayed in our county, and tourism employed more than 4,000 people, making it our eighth-largest industry.

Those numbers reveal Hendricks County as a visitor destination, and that tourism remains a significant economic boon for our community, which is important because we alone can’t support our businesses.

Our restaurants, shops, entertainment

Writer / Josh Duke

Photography / Visit Hendricks County

attractions and especially our hotels depend on visitors to keep their doors open.

Without visitors, many of the businesses you love simply wouldn’t survive.

VHC’S ROLE

When our organization helps to promote and/or develop an attraction or event, we create a place where people want to visit. When we create a place where people want to visit, we create quality places where residents like you want to live.

We’ve learned that our visitors come for various reasons and with varying interests, and we’ve done our best to adapt our promotions to reach them. We spend significant time and resources marketing our destination to potential visitors within a driving radius of our county.

We highlight the places, events and attractions that make our destination special, including Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Beasley’s Orchard, Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds & Conference Complex, Splash Island, the Mayberry Cafe, and the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center, just to name a few of our major drivers.

We also don’t forget our hidden gems such as Avon Gardens, Rusted Silo, Oinking Acres, Who North America, The Tie Dye Lab and so many more. We have developed tools over the years to support our locally owned businesses and attractions including a robust website, visithendrickscounty.com.

We focus much of our efforts on getting people to visithendrickscounty.com, which receives more than one million page views per year. It is updated daily

with the latest news and information for both visitors and locals, with information including:

• Listings for virtually every locally owned, tourism-related business in our county

• A popular events calendar

• An insider blog with new posts weekly, supported by multiple local writers

• A groups and meetings area for those hosting an event, planning a reunion or holding a conference

• A weddings section providing expert help for newly engaged couples planning their big day

• Many other resources including trip planning, an area for our tourism partners and even a section for locals

That site alone provides the help and resources anyone with interest in Hendricks County would need. Check it out today. You might be surprised by what you find, and you likely will learn something about your county that you didn’t know.

PLAN A TRIP

Whether using our resources to plan a staycation or planning a trip somewhere else in this great country, we highly encourage you to utilize your vacation days and make memories with your family and/or friends.

Studies show that time away from the stresses of work and daily life can be as beneficial to one’s health as anything

else they can do. Next month we will celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, a great reminder to plan that next vacation.

No matter where you go, we recommend turning to organizations like ours to find the expertise and tips you need to plan a trip. Instead of scheduling that usual vacation to Disney World or the beach, maybe find that road less traveled to discover an authentic,

more affordable destination. DO YOUR PART

I hope my friend who asked me those questions 11 years ago is reading this today, because I’m sure I didn’t properly explain why Hendricks County is such a great place to visit. We need you, our residents, to recognize the importance of tourism and become ambassadors for our amazing destination, now and into the future.

Sign up for our monthly email newsletter and become a blog subscriber. You can register for one or both on our website. Request one of our free Travel Guides, which are great resources for locals too. If you or someone you know is planning a wedding, we also have a free Wedding Guide.

Finally, the next time you have friends and relatives visiting from out of town, take them to places right here in Hendricks County to support your community. If we help each other, everyone wins because there is so much to see and do right here in Hendricks County if you just take a moment to look.

ALCOHOL USE DISORDER SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OPTIONS

Writer / Trisha Palencer, Clinical Social Worker at IU Health West Hospital

Photography Provided

Alcohol use disorder affects an estimated 16 million people in the United States. If you have difficulty stopping or cutting back on the amount of alcohol you drink, or if you spend significant time thinking about, consuming or recovering from drinking alcohol, you may have an alcohol use disorder. An important step in recovery is to recognize the symptoms and learn about the treatment options.

WHAT IS ALCOHOL USE DISORDER?

Alcohol use disorder often leads to difficulty in moderating drinking, a preoccupation with alcohol, the need to drink an increasing amount of alcohol to get a similar effect, continued drinking despite negative consequences, or physical withdrawal

symptoms such as tremors when trying to stop drinking. Alcohol disorders fall into three categories including binge drinking, alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse.

WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL USE DISORDER?

Drinking can suppress immunity to diseases and infections, and can increase the risk of some cancers and liver problems. In addition, it can cause problems with blood clotting, skin rash, memory, balance and falls, the stomach, the pancreas and the heart. In these ways and more, alcohol use disorder can interfere with living a healthy life. Chronic, long-term abuse of alcohol can lead to alcoholic cardiomyopathy, which can result in heart failure. Seizures can also be caused by binge drinking and alcohol withdrawals. The greatest risk of seizures occurs between 12 and 48 hours following your last drink. Medically assisted

detoxification from alcohol use is vital to lower major risks including death.

WHAT ARE TREATMENT OPTIONS?

Treatment for alcohol use disorder often starts with detoxification. There may be risks to reducing or stopping alcohol consumption that require medical intervention. Side effects of detoxification are known as withdrawal symptoms, and there are medical, emotional and social supports that can aid successful detoxification. Once you complete the detox process, you’ll need ongoing treatment to reduce the risk for relapsing. Depending on your needs, your treatment can include medications, group therapy, individual therapy, and supportive housing or social environments.

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PLAYING FOR KEEPS

PHS Drama Department Builds Confidence, Creativity and Connections

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Indy Ghost Light

Years ago, Todd Dillon was a backstage parent when his daughter was involved in theater at Plainfield High School (PHS). After she graduated, Dillon, a seasoned actor himself, stepped up his volunteer hours. In 2016 he became the assistant director, then later the artistic director for the PHS drama department. Two years later Emily Astroski joined the theater team when she became the tech director and Dillon’s assistant.

“It’s been a great fit as Emily likes the technical and backstage stuff, and I like to direct,” says Dillon, who is also the worship minister at Plainfield Christian Church. Although he’s spent most of his

life performing on stage in civic theater productions, directing has become his passion.

“When you’re playing a role you have a lot of creative control over that part, but when you’re a director you have creative juices flowing through every aspect of the show,” Dillon says. “Directing has been so fulfilling because I get to sit back and see a story come to life on stage, knowing that I had a voice in every part of it.”

Astroski also began acting at a young age, and continued through high school and college.

“It sounds so cliché, but acting helped me so much growing up in those super

turbulent teenage years,” she says. She, too, appreciates the creative aspect of theater. She loves reading a script that calls for some sort of whimsical object and then brainstorming with her students on how to make it.

“Figuring it out involves everyday problem-solving skills,” Astroski says. “When they experience success after numerous failures, that’s exciting. To see what’s in your mind’s eye come to life is also exciting.”

Both Dillon and Astroski enjoy watching students grow as they practice problem solving, collaboration and perseverance. “Our costume crew came in and none of them knew how to sew, but as they

learned, they were so excited for one another,” Astroski says. “Someone would get a stitch, hold it up, and everyone would applaud. Theater builds those small skills, but it also builds friendships and camaraderie.”

For each production, Astroski works with the entire backstage team, which includes a number of student crews for prop, set, lighting, sound, costume and more. Each is led by a student, usually an upperclassman.

Reagan Bradley graduates this year after having been the stage manager for every PHS show since her freshman year.

“When I first met Reagan she wanted to be an air traffic controller, which requires roughly the same skills as a stage manager,” Astroski says with a chuckle. “You have to think fast and problem solve.”

Bradley plans to study stage management in college.

“The drama department has given me such a great opportunity to learn about the technical aspect of theater, but also a countless amount of life lessons like treating people with the utmost respect,” Bradley says.

When Dillon first selects a show to put on, he calls it “his show.” Once he and Astroski hold auditions, it becomes “our show” - theirs along with the students. By opening night, it’s “their show.” It really is a team effort.

“Theater and sports are similar,” Astroski says. “In both, you have a team in which everyone plays their part and has their responsibility. In theater, wins and losses look different, but it’s that collective community that we build, and I think especially for young adults, having that collective experience is so important.”

She also points to the cathartic nature of theater.

“It’s important, especially for young

adults, to know that it’s OK to collectively feel emotions and not be afraid of them,” Astroski says. “They learn to embrace those emotions to create something that’s not only going to impact them, but also so many others.”

Dillon appreciates how theater teaches empathy.

“In this day and age we need to learn empathy and how to listen to one another,” he says. “Listening to characters who are speaking stories that are different from our own helps us learn how to relate to and respect one another.”

A new part of PHS’s theater program is the Night of Scenes, which they did for the first time last year. The drama club works with the creative writing club to write short scenes based around a theme. The drama club holds auditions, and student directors and student costumers put on the show.

Emily Astroski & Todd Dillon

Being involved in a big stage production can be intimidating, and the program provides a way for students to see what theater is like.

“Last year 40 students, from freshmen to seniors, were involved, and only four of them had been involved in theater in some way previously,” Astroski says. “Everyone else was brand new.”

Once they’ve set foot in the theater community, many students elect not to leave. That’s pretty cool given that students often come from different social groups.

“They all interact so well with each other for the most part,” says Dillon, who enjoys seeing students become one another’s cheerleaders. “It’s fun to see them get outside of themselves and learn to be kinder. For instance, they’ll encourage their peers after an audition. We catch them doing good things. It’s beautiful to see.”

Ava Angle, a senior who played Mary in “Mary Poppins” last fall, says theater has helped her confidence flourish.

“As a freshman I was constantly comparing myself to other people and doubting my own abilities, but our drama department really emphasizes that everyone brings their own unique strengths to the table,” Angle says. “I no longer find myself comparing and competing with my peers, but rather working together.”

Senior Ethan Hood’s confidence has also grown due to theater.

“Public speaking has become a breeze, and I’m able to push myself to do things that others may be too scared or embarrassed to do,” says Hood, who also appreciates the fun of briefly escaping reality by playing a character. “No matter what external circumstances you may face, acting allows you to step into the shoes of someone who doesn’t have those same problems.”

Dillon notes that students take that confidence to other parts of their life as well, whether that’s in academic performance, job searching, or trying something new.

Past PHS productions include Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” “The Addams Family,” “12 Incompetent Jurors,” “Clue,” “The Matchmaker” and more.

This spring they will perform “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.”

“The title is a misnomer because it’s not a musical,” Dillon says. “It’s very campy and over the top. It should be a lot of fun.”

The show runs at 7 p.m. on April 27, 28 and 29. Purchase tickets online or at the box office.

Three reasons why a mammogram is an important part of your preventive health

1

A mammogram can save your life. Early detection of breast cancer can increase a woman’s ve-year survival rate to 97%.

2

It doesn’t take much time. Mammograms are a quick procedure, only taking about 20 minutes.

3 Your risk of developing breast cancer increases as you age. The older you get, the more you are at risk of developing breast cancer. That’s why mammograms aren’t a one-and-done test.

Mammograms are vital to your health and longevity as a woman. Indiana University Health recommends routine screening mammography to improve the likelihood of detecting breast cancer early. If you have speci c questions about your level of risk for breast cancer, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider.

iuhealth.org/mammo