Westfield Magazine August 2023

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Mia Sears, a 2023 Westfield High School graduate, has teamed up with the Indianapolis Colts to develop an official Colts training camp T-shirt inspired by the City of Westfield.

Sears says she is thrilled she got the assignment.

“The opportunity arose at the end of my senior year, where I overheard my art teachers, Lindsay Frey and John Sterling, talking about some work relating to the Colts,” Sears says. “Apparently the Colts reached out to a Westfield recruiter to find local artists in the area, and they were interested in working with a student to create a design for the Colts training camp at Grand Park. I was honored when they recommended me to apply.”

Sears was ready to take on the challenge.

“I have never done anything quite this largescale before, but I had done multiple designs for Westfield High School productions,” she says. “In the theater department I designed the ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ poster earlier

MIA SEARS STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

in senior year, as well as ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ poster and cast/crew T-shirts. Our school hosts a rock concert called ‘American Pie,’ and this year they invited me to design a poster and T-shirt inspired by the theme, which was ‘I’m Going Back to Indiana.’ I am so eternally grateful for these opportunities because I believe if I hadn’t said yes to designing for these events, I wouldn’t have been exposed to so many new opportunities outside of Westfield High School, including working with the Colts.”

“At Westfield I was very involved in our theater program,” Sears continues. “Personally I am not one for acting, so I worked backstage with the technical crew. I stage managed both ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and ‘The Diary of Anne Frank.’ I want to give a shout out to my directors, Eric Zabonick, Jonathon Majors and Lance Grubb. I am so eternally grateful to have been a part of Westfield theater.”

Sears says she got in touch with other individuals for assistance with the T-shirt project.

“I reached out to Kayla Arnold, who was the director of Westfield Welcome, and she had also reached out to my school,” Sears says. “She had passed my email along to the Colts to get me connected.”

Sears enjoyed meeting new people from the Colts organization.

“I was connected to Hayden Barnack from the Colts organization on May 22,” Sears says. “Hayden is one of the sweetest and most encouraging people ever. She is a senior marketing manager for the Colts, and did all the communicating with me when it came to designs and what the team at the Colts organization wanted.”

Barnack had Sears send in her previous artwork.

“I sent in a lot of different mediums and styles to allow them to see the range I was capable of,” Sears says. “I sent the graphic design work I had done for events previously, along with other art I had created. I didn’t believe the extra art would speak that much to them, but they really enjoyed a previous surrealist octopus painting I had done during my junior year at Westfield High School. So in the end I was happy I sent all of it, instead of only my graphic-design-related works.”

Sears was worried about getting everything for the project done on time. “I was super nervous because I was so incredibly busy, because graduation was that weekend, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with the NFL and the Colts. I was very glad I took on the extra work.”

As for the T-shirt design itself, Sears is a huge music festival and concert lover, and when she thinks of summer, she thinks of these types of events.

“Festivals always have very interesting T-shirts and often feature unique cityscapes,” Sears says. “I went to Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, last year and I always think of the cool merchandise they sell at the event. The cityscapes are almost ‘stacked’ in layers, and I think the effect is very pleasing to look at. This design was inspired by fun and upbeat music festival merchandise, but that isn’t the only reason for the design.”

Sears notes that the design is supposed to embody summer traditions and showcase Westfield. She was inspired by what she saw.

“For example, Westfield has a ton of bikers

Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

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in the summer,” she says. “How I know it’s getting warmer is when bikers re-emerge and start also taking to the roads in the spring. So I added little bikes to the sides of buildings, which were inspired by Westfield’s teeny downtown. I added trees and shrubs to reference the amount of preserved greenery in Westfield.”

Sears also wanted to add her favorite aspect of Westfield.

“My favorite part of Westfield in the summer is the Monon Trail,” Sears says. “It’s around 25 miles, and about a five-minute drive from my house. The bridges are only utilized when it’s warm out, so I thought it was important to highlight that as a representation of Westfield in the summer.”

Sears says she will remember how much fun she had working with the Colts organization.

“The team at the Colts was so excited

and welcoming,” she says, adding that the T-shirts launched in July. “I met Hayden Barnack and others in person at a Colts sneak-peek preview of their training camp schedule. My family was invited to the event and I got an official shout out. They said how it was the first Colts training camp shirt designed, which, truthfully, I had no idea about until Hayden told me that day, a few weeks after the design was completed. It was, overall, such a welcoming and fun experience for me and my family.”

Sears has already made her college plans.

“I am going to IU Bloomington in the fall,” she says. “I am majoring in public management with a minor in informatics, and hoping to become an urban planner in the future. I will still always have art and graphic design in my life, and continue to create throughout college and beyond. I am very excited to see where my work with the Colts leads me to in the future.”

HEALTH SPOTLIGHT

WOMEN’S HEALTH RECOMMENDED

Women should receive regular preventative care to maintain their overall health and wellbeing.

Recommendations for screening tests vary throughout the different stages of a woman’s life. It is recommended to see your OB/ GYN once per year for a well-woman visit. Here are some important preventative health measures and screenings for women and when experts recommend you get them.

CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING

A pap test, or pap smear, is used to screen for cervical cancer. Screening for cervical cancer can allow for the detection and treatment of precancerous conditions of the cervix. A pap test is recommended for women starting at age 21. Your pap results and pap history determine how frequently you need a pap test. If you have normal pap results, your provider may recommend a repeat pap every 3 to 5 years. The best way to ensure you stay up to date with the latest recommendations for pap testing is to see

your provider for an annual visit.

BREAST CANCER SCREENING

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women in the United States. It is recommended that average-risk women begin mammograms annually starting at age 40. For some women with additional risk factors, starting breast cancer screening at an earlier age may be recommended.

HPV VACCINATION

The human papillomavirus, HPV, is associated with multiple cancers including cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine, or Gardasil, is a safe and effective way to prevent cancer. It is recommended that girls and boys receive the vaccine starting at age 11 to 12. All young women aged 13 to 26 who have not received the vaccine, should also be vaccinated. If you are aged 27 to 45 and have not received the vaccine, talk to your provider as the HPV vaccine may still provide significant benefit.

Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening

Untreated sexually transmitted infections can lead to complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Annual screening for gonorrhea and chlamydia is recommended for all sexually active women less than age 25. Screening for sexually transmitted infections can be appropriate for women of all ages depending on your individual risk factors.

OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING

Osteoporosis, or low bone mineral density, is a condition that increases your risk of fractures which can lead to serious complications. Osteoporosis is treatable and screening for osteoporosis with a DXA scan is recommended for women starting at age 65. Earlier screening may be recommended depending on your individual risk factors.

For more information about these screenings and other recommended preventative care, please schedule an appointment with a health care provider. You can visit iuhealth.org/bookobgyn.

Dr. Taylor Sutter, OB/GYN at IU Health North Hospital

HECK OF A HOBBY

95-YEAR-OLD ERNIE TAYLOR’S SCULPTURES REFLECT PURE ARTISTIC ENJOYMENT

Writer / Julie Yates Photographer / Krystal Dailey

For several decades, people traveling between Zionsville and Westfield on State Road 32 have been treated to a visual extravaganza of metal sculptures and whimsical yard art. The man behind it all is 95-year-old Ernie Taylor. His wife, Dottie, who passed away in 2019, had an aversion to going far from home. So Taylor made the best of it by turning their 25-acre hobby farm into a roadside showplace.

“We’ve got kind of a museum here,” Taylor says. “My wife wasn’t a good traveler. Instead of looking at a big, beautiful valley, she would be a nervous wreck. So I stayed busy doing other things. I started using old farm machinery, and at first I made small things like birds out of old shovels and alligators from files. The only problem was, if I made one of something, I’d have to make a dozen to give to relatives. It was fun.”

“I would buy things not knowing what I would do with them,” he continues. “We would go to tractor shows, flea markets and auctions, bringing a lot of good stuff back.

Once, we went to one in Shelbyville and bought 200

spoons tied up in a bow. People said, ‘What are you going to do with them?’ I knew I’d think of something, and I ended up turning them into tulips.”

After retiring from being a welder, Taylor tackled bigger projects. Some of the most spectacular pieces on his property are the dinosaurs he crafted. He says it took him four or five years of driving around looking for parts before he got what he wanted to assemble them.

When asked which sculpture turned out to be surprising to him, Taylor says it’s a colorful globe. He was at an auction when he found a large metal framework and tank that had been used to take liquid fertilizer out to farm fields. After purchasing it for $10, he considered making it a big golf ball. Then it hit him that it would make a perfect globe.

Another of his favorites is a bird with legs made from shovels, a body from bicycle parts and a head from an old sickle mower machine. Through the years many people have approached Taylor about buying his creations. No money has ever passed hands.

other people to enjoy and I did give a lot away over the years,” he says. “If I had made them to sell, it would be work and not a hobby. Plus, people think that just because I make things out of old stuff, I wouldn’t charge much. They don’t realize what it costs in gas to bring the stuff in, and the time of welding parts together.”

Besides building sculptures, Taylor has delighted in having a couple of other hobbies in his life. One is playing the guitar. Although it was something he wanted to do most of his life, it did not come easy to him.

“I was 72 years old before I learned how to play,” he says. “I couldn’t get my right hand to do it. I couldn’t get the rhythm. One day I was listening to a friend play, and he handed me his guitar. He taught me ‘Old Rattler,’ a song about an old dog. It had just two chord changes. I hit that lick and the rhythm was there. I went out and bought a Fender guitar and for 20 years, up until COVID, I entertained at Signature HealthCARE at Parkwood nursing home every Friday.”

Another of Taylor’s favorite things to do is share poetry by reciting it when the

sister passed away, Gunn’s poem “Fretting” brought him comfort. The gist is that when the beauty of nature is seen, God, who made it, will take care of the person who is worrying.

Taylor was born in Pixley Knob, which is right outside of Henryville in Clark County. The youngest of six children, he grew up without running water or electricity. His parents instilled in him the value of hard work and, above all, friendship.

“I’ve slowed down quite a bit,” he says. “Things take more time and I don’t have as much energy. I have an idea for another dinosaur, but even though I still get around and do things like mow my own grass, it’s a big effort. The things I’ve made, I did for our friends and for people to enjoy. I still enjoy people and life is good.”

Taylor then mentions a sign on his hobby

farm with the following: “There’s a miracle called friendship that dwells within the heart, and you don’t know how it happens and how it gets its start, but the happiness it brings you gives you a special lift, and you realize the happiness it gives you is God’s most precious gift.”

Taylor’s 25-acre hobby farm is located at 10985 East State Road 32 in Zionsville.

HAMILTON COUNTY LAUNCHES ONE-STOP RESOURCE FOR SUPPORT SERVICES

STREAMLINED INFORMATION INCREASES

CONNECTION AND ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS

Hamilton County is known for being a thriving area where people want to live. One of the secrets to its success: a strong network of nonprofit organizations who believe that by working together, they can help their community and those who live in it. The power of that network collaboration has led to the launch of a new website – Help4HamiltonCounty.org – to provide residents with a one-stop resource for support services.

“Residents are more likely to seek support and be successful in overcoming challenges when resources are easy to find, understand, and access,” says Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt, one of several elected officials involved in

the project. “At Help4HamiltonCounty. org, residents can access the large network of local organizations designed to provide support and ultimately increase quality of life in Hamilton County.”

Made possible by the support of the Hamilton County Community Foundation, Duke Energy, the Hamilton County Trustees Association, and Good Samaritan Network, the new web resource offers connection to services in six key areas of need:

• Aging and Seniors

• Food Assistance

• Medical and Mental Health

• Youth and Families

• Housing

• Education and Employment

The site connects users to detailed information on local organizations, as well as videos designed to provide expert insight and raise awareness, featuring interviews with nonprofit executives and clients who have received services, as well as elected officials and other community leaders.

Help4HamiltonCounty.org has included Accessibility Adjustments on the new website to remove barriers and make finding resources accessible for as many community residents as possible.  To learn more, please reach out through the ‘Contact Us’ page on Help4HamiltonCounty.org.

SIP AND SAVOR

EXPERIENCE THE SEVENTH ANNUAL NOBLESVILLE ROTARY CLUB BREWBQ

Story Provided Photography Provided

“We’re excited to formally announce the seventh annual Noblesville BrewBQ to be held on Saturday, August 19 at Federal Hill Commons,” says Carrie Dixon, president of the Noblesville Rotary Club. “This is a fun charitable event that allows the community to come together to support a great cause, while also sharing their love of barbecue and beer.”

This is not just a fun event for the community to enjoy the outdoors and music. Proceeds go to supporting local students who attend the Ivy Tech Noblesville campus with scholarship funds. There are not many scholarships available to students in technical fields of study. Organizers are passionate about providing opportunities in these fields, especially with Noblesville’s focus on economic development.

“We are so thankful for our partnership with the Noblesville Rotary and grateful for their support,” says Stacy Atkinson, chancellor for Ivy Tech Hamilton County. “The BrewBQ is a great event to support their efforts of providing scholarships for local students to attend Ivy Tech. We are thankful for the long-standing relationship that the Noblesville Rotary has experienced with Ivy Tech and look forward to many continued years.”

The BrewBQ holds a barbecue tasting contest with an opportunity for attendees to taste some of the best barbecue around. The contest will feature an immense array of unique recipes from barbecuers across Noblesville and Indiana alike. Music throughout the evening will be from local bands, with returning headliner That’s What She Said from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Beer will be on tap from several local vendors. Bier Brewery will be back this year, and has won multiple medals at prestigious brewing

competitions including the Indiana Brewers’ Cup, the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup.

Primeval Brewing in Noblesville is a new addition to the event this year. “We love being part of the community and are super excited to be able to serve beer this year at the Rotary Clubs’s BrewBQ,” says Primeval Owner Tim Palmer. “Beer and barbecue pair so well together that this will be a wonderful combination to bring together.” For those who enjoy wine, Blackhawk Winery and Vineyard, located in Sheridan, and Spencer Farm Winery, will both be returning this year.

“The entire Associated Drywall Partners crew is proud to support Noblesville Rotary and this year’s BrewBQ event,” says Joe Carnevale with Associated Drywall Partners, co-title sponsor. “Great Music, mouthwatering barbecue and craft beer - what could be better on an Indiana summer evening?”

The UPS Store returns as the other co-title sponsor. Other committed sponsors include Onieal and Associates, Meyer Najem Construction, USI Consultants, Porter Roofing and Restoration, Talk To Tucker - Andy Liechty and Associates, Bell Techlogix and more. Event leaders are still accepting sponsorships, and it is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

EVENT INFORMATION

Sat., Aug. 19 from 4 p.m.–10 p.m. at Federal Hill Commons.

For those interested in participating in the cook-off, registration is available by visiting noblesvillerotaryclub.org/brewbq.

Tickets: Advance tickets are available for $55 each and designated-driver tickets are available for $40. Tickets will also be available for $65 at the gate on the day of the event. Tickets include unlimited beer, wine and barbecue from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. The designated-driver ticket features water and soda instead of beer. Tickets can be purchased at event.ontaptickets.com/events/noblesvillebrewbq-2023-8-19-2023.

HE’S A CATCH

WARREN CENTRAL GRAD JULIUS “JUJU” BRENTS EAGERLY ANTICIPATING FIRST SEASON WITH THE COLTS

Writer / Ryan Kennedy Photography Provided

With the 44th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Julius “JuJu” Brents, a cornerback out of Kansas State University.

At 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 198 pounds, Brents is larger than the average corner. He possesses an impressive wingspan and, most importantly, a keen mind for the game of football.

He’s also a Hoosier.

Being the hometown hero has its perks. “It’s pretty easy for me,” he says. “I would say easier at least, to not have to worry about all the off-field stuff, as far as where I’m going to live at and taking care of transportation and all that. I’m in my hometown so that makes that a lot easier.”

Throughout the draft process, Brents knew the Colts were interested in him. He’d visited the Colts complex and talked briefly with coaches, but says he pushed thoughts about where he might eventually end up, or when he might get drafted, out of his mind. It’s a mindset he carried with him to the night of the second round of the draft.

“I just want an opportunity, honestly,” he says. “That’s just the mentality I had, because once you start expecting this to happen, and if that doesn’t happen, then you start doubting yourself or things of that nature. So in my head I was just like, ‘Hey, I get drafted, don’t get drafted, go early, go late, whatever.’ I just want to get the opportunity, and I’m going to make the most it.”

When opportunity came calling, Brents was at his draft party in Westfield surrounded by friends and family. Brents saw the Indianapolis area code on the ringing phone and briefly thought it might be a prank. “Bro, nobody better prank call me right now,” he remembers

thinking. When Brents answered the phone, he heard a woman say she was transferring him over to Colts General Manager Chris Ballard. “I was really just shaking,” he says. “It was a moment like I’ll never forget.”

Even a day later, Brents says getting drafted didn’t feel real. It wasn’t until he arrived at the Colts complex for the first time after the draft, and saw his practice jersey hanging in a locker next to Kenny Moore’s, that he turned to his mom and said “It’s real now.”

“It was a great feeling to be able to say, ‘I’m a Colt now,’ and have that horseshoe on my helmet,” he says.

Brents credits his mother with always supporting his dreams of playing in the NFL. “Since I was a kid I always would tell her, ‘I want to play in the NFL. I want to be

an NFL player,’” he says. “She never did shy away from my dreams. She always believed in me.” Family is important to Brents, and he’s grateful to be able to stay close to his family and take care of his dog, a cane corso. “My mom’s been getting on me about that a little,” he says.

More than an Indianapolis native who was drafted by Colts, Brents is a fan drafted by his favorite team. The Warren Central High School graduate grew up watching Colts legends like Peyton Manning and idolizing Bob Sanders, who helped recruit Brents to the University of Iowa, where Brents played before transferring to Kansas State.

He knows what it means to wear the horseshoe on his helmet. He knows what the fans and the city expect from him and from the franchise. “It’s definitely an honor,”

he says. “I’m just looking forward to being a part of this division and just taking it on full steam ahead.”

Being the hometown hero may make Brents’ transition to the NFL slightly easier. It also shines a spotlight squarely on Brents. It’s a light other rookies might find too bright. Brents embraces it. He’s proud of where he comes from and what he’s achieved. He wears his hometown hero status like a badge of honor. He’s excited to represent Indianapolis, and all the family and friends who have supported him along the way. He also knows there’s still a lot of work to be done.

“I want to earn everything that’s coming my way,” Brents says. “I want to have that chip on my shoulder I’ve always had as a child. I’m just looking forward to putting my best foot forward for the organization and doing what’s best for the team, regardless of what that is. And I’m looking forward to bringing a winning tradition back for us.”

“IT WAS A GREAT FEELING TO BE ABLE TO SAY, ‘I’M A COLT NOW,’ AND HAVE THAT HORSESHOE ON MY HELMET.”

COLTS TRAINING CAMP AT GRAND PARK TOURISM SPOTLIGHT

2023 Colts Training Camp, presented by Koorsen Fire & Security, kicked off on Wednesday, July 26 at Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield and runs through Thursday, Aug. 17.

Be a part of the action this summer at practices with free and open bleacher seating, a wide-range of family-friendly activities and the chance to get up close and personal with the players.

Aug. 2: Open Practice + Colts City

Aug. 1: Salute to Service Day

Aug. 3: Youth Sports Day, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

Aug. 5: Open Practice + Colts City

Aug. 6: Give Back Sunday, presented by Meijer

Aug. 8: Open Practice + Colts City

Aug. 10: Fan Appreciation Day, presented by CenterPoint Energy

Aug. 15: Open Practice + Colts City

Aug. 16: Open Practice + Colts City*

Aug. 17: Thirsty Thursday, presented by Bud Light*

*joint practice with Chicago Bears

Admission is free, but a ticket is required. Get your free tickets at VisitHamiltonCounty. com/Colts. Fans are also encouraged to purchase parking for $5 in advance. Claim your free tickets and bring the whole family to Colts Training Camp.

If you are looking for a place to eat before or after Colts Training Camp, there are many local dining options. Check out Westfield restaurants including Restaurant Row on Park Street and nearby Carmel restaurants at VisitHamiltonCounty.com/Restaurants.

FOR MORE IDEAS ON THINGS TO DO IN HAMILTON COUNTY THIS SUMMER, GO TO VISITHAMILTONCOUNTY.COM. BE SURE TO FOLLOW @VISITHAMILTONCO ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM TO SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING BEFORE YOU #VISITHC.

Most lawns need less water than you may think. Reduce your usage to have a healthy lawn and conserve water. Adjust irrigation sprinkler systems to 30-minute sessions and only water twice a week.

Better for your lawn and Central Indiana’s water resources!

Find water saving tips at CitizensEnergyGroup.com/WaterWise

THE BEST IN BANKING

THE TEAM AT CENTIER BANK FOCUSES ON CUSTOMER CARE AND COMMUNITY VALUES

March of 2020. “I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to work with a bank with such great corporate values.”

Centier Bank is unique for many reasons, starting with the fact that the leaders stand by their not-for-sale commitment, which means they pledge to the associates, clients and communities they serve that they will continue to preserve independent, hometown banking in Indiana for generations to come. Centier, with 58 locations in Indiana and five locations serving central Indiana, entered the greater Indianapolis market in 2011 and opened a branch in Westfield in 2016. They

years ahead.

“Our purpose is to enrich lives through financial guidance for an even better tomorrow,” says Taylor, Westfield’s branch manager. “Your finances and your financial health dictate so much of your life. We understand that and see it as a responsibility to provide people with the best financial knowledge.”

Centier Bank offers free financial education courses to anyone who wants it (one needn’t be a Centier client to take a class). These courses, called Centier to You, are offered both online and in

When the pandemic first hit, we all wondered what was happening and how it would all unfold. It was quite an unsettling time to say the least, so most people weren’t out job hunting or job hopping. David Taylor, however, was compelled to take a leap of faith after meeting a regional leader of Centier Bank, an entity that has been around for 128 years and is now it its fourth and fifth generation of family ownership. In January of 2023, CEO and Chairman Mike Schrage, who has been leading the institution for the past five decades, named his eldest son-in-law, Chris Campbell, bank president.

“Centier has a compelling story to tell,” says Taylor, who joined the team in

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

David Taylor

ambassadors. Through community outreach, they provide financial education courses at the Hamilton County Jail and Dove Recovery House for Women.

“At Centier you’re not a number,” says Taylor. “You’re a person. For every customer who comes in, we strive to provide a remarkable experience. We want people to like coming into the bank.”

The bank’s servant culture is also special. They encourage their employees to go out into the community to volunteer their time at whatever organization or nonprofit resonates with them. Every Centier employee is given eight paid volunteer hours to use each year, during which they can donate time to their favorite organization or nonprofit. Centier also supports the community through sponsorships.

“That’s the purpose of community banking,” says Taylor. “Community is about neighbors serving neighbors, and creating a better place for everyone to live, work and play. By being out there and supporting organizations, we’re promoting our servant heart culture.”

In 2022 Centier Bank, as a corporation, volunteered more than 20,000 hours.

“The proof is in the pudding, as they say,” says Taylor. “That’s one of the reasons I joined Centier.”

Centier Bank sponsors a number of local events such as Cuisine Connect Culture (similar to Taste of Westfield) on September 16, Pumpkin Funktion (a music-themed event with vendors) on October 21, and Dog Tag Dash (a fundraiser for the Humane Society) on November 4.

Centier is all about relationship banking. This is why, for the sixth consecutive year, they have been recognized as a top-rated bank, ranked as the third-best bank in the state according to a Forbes survey, which asks more than 31,000 customers to rate their overall satisfaction with their banking experience. This includes

factors like customer service, quality of financial advice given, fee transparency, ease of navigating the company website, onlocation branch services, and overall level of trust the bank inspires. In addition, Centier Bank has been named by American Banker magazine as one of the best banks to work in Indiana and the United States.

“These are based on employee surveys, so

our employees are the ones championing it,” says Taylor. “These accolades are hard won, but the leadership here at Centier goes above and beyond for their employees. Our associates give the best service because they are happy working here.”

Centier Bank is located at 3002 State Road 32 in Westfield. For more information, call 317-867-1884 or visit centier.com.

PRODUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP

ISU AND WESTFIELD-WASHINGTON SCHOOLS JOIN FORCES TO OFFER MBA PROGRAM

In a collaborative effort to bolster education opportunities for professionals and students alike, a groundbreaking partnership has been forged between Indiana State University (ISU) and Westfield-Washington Schools.

The Scott College of Business Professional Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a comprehensive program tailored to current professionals seeking to enhance their business acumen, as well as aspiring students looking to pursue higher education.

“This will help students with ground-level understanding by giving them a picture of all functional business areas,” says Kyle Rice, executive director of graduate programs at the ISU Scott College of Business. “When a student is at a decision-making table at any organization they are working at, no matter what their background is, they can have an intelligent conversation with anyone even though the technical language might be different. This is what the MBA is designed to do.”

Lindsay Tomamichel, the WestfieldWashington Schools director of college, careers and strategic initiatives, led the efforts in this partnership, and says the school district decided on this partnership in an effort to open the door to future education opportunities for the community’s high school students and working professionals.

“We are looking at the MBA program and partnership with ISU as an opportunity to continue to grow educational opportunities in the community,” she says. “Our hope is that we start with the MBA program and

then we are able to partner with ISU for other things as well.”

Additionally, the partnership aims to address the scarcity of local college options in Hamilton County, and provide a stimulating in-person, cohort-based learning experience.

“When you look at Hamilton County as a whole, we don’t have a ton of college options,” Tomamichel says. “Not only will this program offer the working professionals that live here an opportunity to go back to school in the community that they live in, but also to have an opportunity to attend inperson classes instead of online.”

The partnership’s vision extends beyond the MBA program to address the educational gaps within the Hamilton County area. Recognizing the limited college options available, the collaboration aims to offer local residents the opportunity to attain a professional MBA that aligns with higher education paths.

“This opportunity felt really good for our community and our adult learners,” Tomamichel says.

At the core of the MBA program lies the cohort-based learning model, a key driver of its success. Students enrolled in the program embark on their academic journey together, forming a close-knit community that fosters collaboration and camaraderie. Graduates can find lasting connections with their cohort members, which can be invaluable in their career advancement long after completing the program.

“When I went through my master’s program I was in a cohort as well,” Tomamichel says. “What was so beneficial is the relationships I made in those cohorts. I still have contact with some of the people I was in my cohort with on a professional level.”

The transformative partnership will enhance residents’ professional skills through attaining a professional MBA offered by ISU. This well-rounded and immersive program will equip students with a diverse understanding of critical business areas such as marketing, supply-chain management, accounting, finance and human resources.

Amidst the fatigue associated with online education during the pandemic, the program introduces a refreshing alternative. It will be delivered in person, providing a dynamic and engaging learning environment.

“The program will be an 18-month program with two classes per semester,” Rice says. “Each semester, a student will take two concurrent classes for 10-week semesters. The two courses will meet weekly in Westfield, with one week for lectures and two weeks to work on assignments.”

With the program set to commence at the Westfield-Washington School District’s central office this September, professionals will come together, embarking on a journey that promises to transform their careers and educational paths.

For more, visit indstate.edu/scott-mba.

Writer / Natalie Gargiulo Photography Provided

Scott Scott ProMBA ProMBA at Westfield

TAKE YOUR CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL TAKE YOUR CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL

CLASSROOM SETTING

Immerse yourself in a supportive and interactive learning environment with our on-campus sessions, held one night a week in the vibrant community of Westfield, IN. Our accelerated program allows you to earn your MBA in just 21 months, ensuring you gain the knowledge and skills needed to make an immediate impact in the corporate landscape.

EXECUTIVE CAREER COACHING

Our commitment to your success extends beyond the classroom Benefit from personalized guidance and career coaching from seasoned industry professionals, enabling you to chart your path to success with confidence

PROGRAM COSTS UNDER $30K

We believe in making quality education accessible. The Scott ProMBA offers exceptional value at an affordable cost, ensuring you invest in your future without breaking the bank.

AACSB ACCREDITATION

The Scott ProMBA is proudly accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a prestigious recognition only earned by less than 6 percent of business schools worldwide.

Elevate your career to new heights with the Scott ProMBA! Limited seats available for our upcoming cohort. Enroll now to secure your spot and unlock a world of possibilities.

BUSINESS DESCRIPTION:

We are a locally owned coffee shop, specializing in Latte & Espresso specialties - hot, iced, or frozen, cream freezes, energy drinks, brewed coffee and teas and our famous Bragel® Sandwiches.  Each and every BIGGBY® drink is made from scratch by our skilled baristas.  Our ingredients are chosen with our fanatics in mind by a team of coffee enthusiasts.  Let us help you find your BIGGBY® drink today!

Hand-crafted with love, by us for you!

REVIEW:

This place was amazing. The staff is well organized. The place is clean and they had tons of information on drinks. I will be back again and again. Thank you for your service.

LOCAL CHARITY SUPPORT:

We LOVE supporting our community through BIGGBY, especially our youth and underprivileged. A few of our favorites organizations, recently supported include Westfield Youth Assistance Program, Prevail, Merciful Help Center, and Indiana Wish. Check them out. They are AMAZING organizations. It’s likely we’ll see you at one of their events!

HOW

To be considered, your business must be nominated by someone other than the owner(s) of the business. Those with the most nominations will be considered before others, so make sure you get your most loyal local fans to nominate your business. When being considered, Towne Post Network editorial staff will review the following criteria to insure these qualifications are met: Online