SCHOLARSHIP
EACH SHOWING FIRMNESS OF SPIRIT WHILE FACING ADVERSITY
Coming in October WOMEN IN BUSINESS
TATE STREBIN
JIESUE PHIFER
2024 Tipton County Fair A Look Back
SEEDS OF PROGRESS
GREENHOUSE PROJECT HELPS LOCAL STUDENTS LEARN FIRSTHAND ABOUT GROWING METHODS
Writer / Natalie Platt
Tipton County, with its rich tradition of agriculture and the home of many plantbased companies, now has another resource to impact the local community.
Led by Tipton High School agricultural teachers Stacey Hartley, Jessica Nichols and Emily Pafford, Total Seed Production Greenhouse has been open for close to a year. The team held an official ribboncutting ceremony in August of 2023. It originated from the excitement and passion that came with the addition of three tower gardens, which are vertical aeroponic towers used for farming and gardening. The towers were received through a National FFA/ Tractor Supply Grants for Growing grant that Tipton High School administrators applied for in the spring of 2019.
The first space in the greenhouse was a 42-by-72-foot greenhouse known as the potting room. Students utilize tables, a sink, soil and storage areas to complete labs, activities and, of course, potting. Automated control systems are housed in this space along with an evaporative cooling system and heating unit, along with electronic leaf
irrigation, flood table and hanging basket irrigation.
The greenhouse also boasts two methods for soilless production systems, including aquaponics and hydroponics. The nutrient firm technique hydroponics system allows students to grow lettuce and basil, which is eventually donated to the Good Shepherd Food Pantry and Tipton High School culinary courses.
Between the grow towers and the greenhouse, Tipton High School was able to supply over 300 gallon-sized bags of lettuce to the food pantry during the 2023-2024 school year. Additionally, the greenhouse team hosted tours for local nursing homes to see the facilities, and each visitor took home their own plant to decorate their room with. Any leftover plants are donated to a variety of groups including teachers, staff and administration at Tipton schools, as well as local landscaping projects.
In the last year, Total Seed Production Greenhouse has partnered with local organizations in the community by
donating fresh greens, and hosted a plant sale to highlight what Tipton High School students have learned and grown. The team continues to teach students skills in plant growth, reproduction, greenhouse management and greenhouse design.
For the current school year, the best way for students to get involved is by taking agriculture classes starting in seventh grade with agricultural leadership. Agriculture students in grades seven through 12 get to spend time in the greenhouse. Students learn about the structures and growth processes of plants in general, select the plants grown for the plant sale, and care for them throughout the school year.
Looking forward, all three agriculture teachers would like to incorporate more community organizations into the activities they do throughout the year, and expand learning opportunities for Tipton High School students, all with the support from the community, administration, and the Friends of Tipton FFA.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
TIPTON EVENTS
5-7
TIPTON COUNTY PORK FESTIVAL
Entertainment on the free stage includes Country Summer Friday night and Parrots of the Caribbean Saturday. Parades both Thursday and Saturday; Downtown Tipton
14-15 Tipton Gun & Knife Show; Sat 9 AM-5 PM, Sun 9 AM-3 PM. $5 general admission, children under 12 free with adult; Tipton County Fairgrounds
17
ENCORE’S 50+ LIFESTYLE EXPO
11AM-3 PM; Tipton County Fairgrounds; Free admission
28 Autumn Market 9 AM-4 PM; Horton’s Home & Garden, 112 S Main St, Tipton
28
FIT FOR LIFE 5K
9 AM; The Encore Center will host the 5K Run, Walk & Roll event; Tipton Park
28 & 29
HIPPIE FEST
A family-friendly arts festival featuring vibrant entertainment for all ages. Tipton County Fairgrounds. Tickets available at Eventbrite.com
KOKOMO EVENTS
6
FIRST FRIDAY
Art Task; A wacky art-based competition with an art task offered at each venue/station; Downtown Kokomo; 5:30-8:00 p.m.; Visit www.firstfridaykokomo.com.
7
KOKOMO SUMMER CONCERT SERIES FEATURING UNCLE KRACKER WITH OPENER RVSHVD
Music starts at 6 p.m.; Kokomo Performing Arts Pavilion in Foster Park; Free admission; Visit www. kokomosummerseries.com.
14
COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE
Kokomo Beach Parking Lot; 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Rain or shine; For more information or to register to be a vendor, call 456-7275 or visit the Kokomo Parks Recreation Dept. office.
16-22
42ND ANNUAL VIETNAM VETERANS ALL VETERANS REUNION
Healing Field off SR 26; Visit www.hcvvo.net.
21
CREATURE FEATURE
Indiana Wild; Event will be informative and interactive and will feature live creatures; 11 a.m. – Noon; 1-2 p.m.; Kirkendall Nature Center in Jackson Morrow Park; Free to attend; All children must be accompanied by an adult; Call 456-7275.
21
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT FEATURING JUMANJI (1995) Foster Park; Starts at 8:00 p.m.; Free to attend; Call 456-7275.
All Events are subject to change. For a complete calendar of Kokomo events, go to visitkokomo.org
MADDIE POWELL STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Writer / Natalie Platt
For current Purdue student and former Tipton High School (THS) student Maddie Powell, nothing is more important than where she came from.
“My hometown of Tipton is truly my foundation,” she says. “I have been provided endless opportunities to succeed, and know my opinions and ideas are listened to. My community has been there to support me through the tough times and has celebrated my accomplishments with me.”
Those accomplishments started at THS, where she was active in Key Club, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, FFA, Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow’s Leaders, student council, as well as track and cross country teams. Powell was very active in 4-H, acting as a counselor, delegate, ambassador and junior representative during her 10-year career. She also volunteered with the Tipton Main Street Committee and United Way.
Powell’s work ethic and love for her community has extended to Purdue University, where she is a member of the Purdue Honors College. At the Honors College Powell serves as an ambassador, where she can share her love for the Honors College and Purdue with incoming students and their families.
“The leadership roles that I was able to experience in high school, like being student body president at THS, definitely helped
me when I began my next chapter at Purdue University,” she says. “I felt confident as I entered a room for an interview and was chosen to be part of the Purdue Honors College. My foundation has given me the ability to continue my growth in interdisciplinary academics, community engagement and leadership development that are so important to me.”
She is studying agricultural education with the goal of becoming an Extension educator.
Powell’s parents, residents of Tipton since 2000 and figures in the community, serve as her number-one inspiration for her work in the community.
“My parents were the first people I watched to openly help those around them and get
involved in bettering our world,” she says. “We were taught very early on to be wellrounded, and they were my first teachers on the importance of giving back to your community. Whether it was coaching the youth or organizing an event, my parents taught me the importance of being a servant leader.”
Powell’s father, Steve Powell, grew up in Tipton and was a lifelong Blue Devil, as well as a scholarship football player for the Purdue football team. He enjoyed coaching football and track at Tipton High School, and some of Powell’s fondest memories are working out with him in the high school weight room. The elder Powell was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2016 and passed away in 2018, but his legacy lives on. In the new THS weight room you’ll see
a silhouette of Steve Powell, with “Perfect practice makes perfect” written underneath.
Powell’s mother, Shelly Powell, has worked at the Tipton County Public Library for 24 years as the events and marketing manager, sharing her love of libraries with those in the community.
“My mom is the one who taught me the importance of civic engagement and community involvement,” Powell says. “She is involved in organizations like the fair board, Purdue Extension board, ‘Tis the Season, and more. My brothers and I tagged along to meetings and events when we were still in strollers, and volunteered beside our mom as we got older.”
Powell’s accolades are almost too long to list - a tribute to the impact her parents have had on her over the years. Previously she’s been awarded the Lori Tragesser Inspirational Impact Award from the Tipton Community Foundation, and the Leadership
Development Accomplishment and Premier Achievement Accomplishment Scholarship from Indiana 4-H. She was a finalist for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, was honored as the 2023 ASEC Outstanding Sophomore at Purdue, and is a Farm Credit Mid-America Scholar.
Powell is a member of Collegiate 4-H, where she’s had the opportunity to advocate for agricultural and youth development on local, state and national levels. She was also chosen as one of five collegiate 4-H members in the U.S. to represent 4-H in Washington, D.C., during National Ag Day.
“You could say that I have been an ambassador for Tipton as long as I could talk,” she says. “My hometown is so special to me. When I come home, my first order of business is walking our downtown area. How lucky are we? I can grab something for my dorm, get a new shirt, have a great lunch and grab some books for school. Tipton cares. It’s simple and perfect.”
JIESUE PHIFER
TIPTON HIGH SCHOOL
Jiesue Phifer was born in China, and until she was adopted at age two and a half, lived at an orphanage in Nanchang. After coming to the United States, she initially resided in Westfield, but now lives in Tipton. She faces problems by finding solutions. Her approach might look different, but her determination wins out.
Due to arthrogryposis, a joint condition she was born with, she has limited use of her arms, wrists and hands. She has had multiple surgeries to unlock her arms and fingers, but her ability to use them is still restricted. However, the congenital disease has not affected her ability to achieve academically or athletically.
Jiesue’s interests include hanging out with her friends, reading and crafts. Since middle school she has enjoyed watching people play volleyball and is the manager for the Tipton High School volleyball team. One of her duties is to score the libero, an important player on the team who wears a jersey that is a different color than the rest of the team.
This is the seventh year that Jiesue has competed as a diver for the Tipton swimming and diving program. She also participates in the RipFest Diving program, an organization dedicated to helping divers improve their skills. “I have been fortunate enough to score well enough in meets to earn points for my team,” she says. “I have even placed first at a few meets.”
Two of Jiesue’s favorite school subjects are math and business accounting. She loves to work ahead. The enjoyment she experiences from the camaraderie of her classmates is evident. “We all get excited to solve a problem before anyone else,” she says.
She is thinking about pursuing a business major in college. However, she has a lot of travel experience and is interested in hospitality. Her dream job would be to work on a cruise ship, perhaps in accounting.
Tate Strebin has lived in Kokomo for most of his life. He was born in West Lafayette but moved when he was 1. Sports have always been a huge focus. He puts in time weightlifting and played baseball as a freshman. In recent years he has enjoyed competing in discus and shot put on the track team. However, his real passion has always been football.
When Tate was 9 years old, his mother passed away. During the years following, dealing with her death led to anxiety and temporarily stopped him from enjoying the sport he loved. A true fighter, he was able to beat the issue with the help of family and friends, and Tate returned to playing.
He is involved with student council and has a heart for volunteering. He and his football buddies have gone into Indianapolis and handed out backpacks full of clothes to homeless people. He’s always willing to lend a hand, saying “I’m strong, and if people need help moving something, I’m glad to do it.”
Math and science are Tate’s favorite school topics. He enjoys working with equations, formulations and calculations. Chemistry labs give him the opportunity to use math. “Math is involved in so many things,” he says. “It’s why I like chemistry. The equations we use affect how the chemicals react with one another. You can see the results in the real world.”
After recently visiting Purdue, Tate was impressed by the campus and the class laboratories. He would like to study mechanical and industrial engineering, or perhaps business. “I would like to have a career that uses my abilities that I could enjoy and be happy with,” he says.
For Information and links to vote for a student or donate toward their scholarship fund, please see page 18 in Kokomo Magazine.
