Monday, March 24, 2025
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SWINGING INTO SPRING
Shelbyville Middle School 8th grader Mia Robbins participates in tennis practice before Spring Break. School resumes today, and forecasters are calling for temperatures to rise this weekend to hopefully herald in the spring sports season. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
SHS Academic Top 10 Celebrated
The top 10 senior academic students at Shelbyville High School, computed at the end of first semester, were recently recognized at a school banquet. The members of the class of 2025 each chose an influential educator, who spoke about the student’s characteristics and accomplishments. Below is a speech excerpt from each student and educator.
Kali Laycock (Educator: Mr. Mark Hensley)
Laycock: From the very first day of (softball) practice, Mr. Hensley stood out to me as a truly invested coach on the field. He didn't simply coach us, he inspired us. He pushed each of us to give our all, instilling a sense of passion and dedication that I've never experienced before. He was hard on us at times, but that only showed how much he believed in our potential. His commitment to our team was unmatched, and this was proved when he guided us all the way to semi-state. In the two years I had the privilege of being coached by him, we created memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Whether it was practice, scrimmages or games, Mr. Hensley made every moment feel welcoming and enjoyable.
Hensley: Throughout (her high school career), I've come to know her not just as an outstanding student and player, but as a remarkable individual, committed to excellence. Although she is a fierce competitor in volleyball and on a softball field, those of us lucky to have gotten to know her have seen that softer, gentler, more compassionate side from this student-athlete. Although she has this tough exterior, she has a heart of gold and the desire to do great things. Kali is determined to be successful and strives to achieve greatness in every endeavor she undertakes. Her work ethic is unparalleled. She consistently puts in more effort than most of her peers, demonstrating a dedication that is truly inspiring.
Kylie Stader (Educator: Mr. Greg Branson)
Stader: To me, a good, impactful teacher is someone who is patient, kind, has both the passion for teaching and learning, and who consistently shows up for their students. Without a doubt, Mr. Branson exhibits all of these qualities and more. He has been a constant influence in my high school career, from being my Algebra II teacher freshman year, to me then having the privilege to be his TA for the past three years.
Branson: Kylie is a very caring person, and she is very good at paying attention to details, and I think she'll be a first-rate nurse. Besides being an excellent student, she is also a person of exceptional character. I know that she helps with the Hands of God food pantry twice a month. I think you can see why I count myself blessed to be around a kid like this the past few years.
Charlie Graham (Educator: Mr. Drew Parsley)
Graham: I've been part of many different sports teams and organizations in my life, and that has allowed me to develop a good understanding of what makes a great coach. Coach Parsley has been the best football coach I’ve had. One practice in middle school, Coach Parsley and another coach had come out to practice with pads and helmets to join us. No coach has ever done that.
Parsley: He's not a man of any words. So I was really excited to get to hear him present and give a speech, which you did a great job…. Kelbie and Amanda, you should be very proud of the son you raised, the student you've raised, and the man that he is and will become.
Darcy Greene (Educator: Michaela Strausbaugh)
Greene: (Ms. Strausbaugh) has been not only a wonderful teacher, but she has been a fantastic (theatre) director and one of the most selfless and kindest people I've ever had the privilege of meeting. She has forced me to come out of my shell in a way I didn't know anyone could force me out of; she's the reason why I am the person I am today.
Strausbaugh: Darcy's accomplishments are many, as we've heard already. She is wickedly smart, as evidenced by her impressive academic record and scores. She is well-rounded and curious, having competed in Quiz Bowl, and traveled to our sister city in Japan as a representative from Shelbyville. She was invited to perform at the International Thespian Festival at IU Bloomington after receiving superior rankings at our state theatre conference, an honor that less than eight percent of all high school thespians receive during their time in a high school theater program. One of the many things that impresses me so much about Darcy is her growth mindset and desire to improve in all aspects of her life. She seeks feedback, constructive criticism and evaluates her choices thoroughly.
Abby Bradburn (Educator: Ms. Natalie Renwick)
Bradburn: Mrs. Renwick has been a constant source of joy, inspiration and support throughout my high school journey, nurturing both my creativity and my academic growth. Her class provided me with a vital outlet for self-expression, allowing me to develop not only as an artist, but also as an individual and a student. Without the foundation she helped me build, I doubt I would have excelled in other areas. I've taken nearly every 2-D art course offered at the school with Mrs. Renwick, and each one has been an incredibly rewarding experience, largely due to her dedication and passion for teaching.
Renwick: I've been teaching Abby for four years. She is about the sweetest student I think I've ever had. She is so smart, she is kind, and she is so very polite, really, she's a teacher's dream. In addition to all of this, Abby is incredibly creative and a very talented artist. She has gone above and beyond on her projects, often taking them home for extra time. Since she was a freshman, she has always paid close attention to detail and craftsmanship, and it has been a pleasure to watch her work progress over the years.
Eli Slaven (Educator: Mrs. Kay Huntsman)
Slaven: Whenever I think of (Mrs. Huntsman), there are a couple key points that come to mind. Number one is her passion for what she teaches. I've never had a teacher who is so enthralled and so believes in what they teach. She believes in the future, feeding the people of the world and making a better world for all of us. She's also very hard-working. I've never seen a teacher who works harder than she does every day in class. She's managing five different tasks at once, teaching us, taking care of field trips, managing the other agriculture classes, and taking care of the chickens in the back.
Huntsman: Whatever (Eli) is doing, he's 100 percent in, and there's no leeway, there's no room for error. There is only room for creativity and growth. And whether that be with animals that you're especially interested in, or it could be in a project, he takes it one step further.
Addison Hartman (Educator: Mrs. Arielle Nance)
Hartman: From the very beginning of my freshman year, I was fortunate enough to be placed in (Mrs. Nance’s) class, and for that, I thank God every day. Mrs. Nance has become one of my greatest role models, and words cannot fully express the immense positive impact she's had on me. She's always been there to encourage me, to push me to reach my fullest potential and to remind me of my worth.
Nance: Addison's academic success is by no means an accident. Addison is, without a doubt, one of the brightest students I've had the pleasure of teaching. From the moment she entered my classroom as a freshman, it was clear that she was a student who took her education seriously. She was a diligent, thoughtful and curious student, always eager to dive deeper into the material. I could go on for hours about how great of a student she is, but I can talk even longer about what an amazing person she is. Addison has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to being a person of integrity, kindness and compassion. Over the past four years, I have witnessed Addison be a leader, not by seeking the spotlight, but by quietly and consistently doing the right thing.
Talia Edwards (Educator: Mr. Joel Kenemore)
Edwards: Every year, Synergy has put me to the test, and my self-confidence, and learning how to grow up, to become confident, and honestly, Mr. Kenemore helped me profoundly with that. I remember I would come to him because I'd be like, “I don't think I'm good enough for this,” and he would be like, “Calm down. Yes, you are.” And he would just help me through it, and I'm very grateful for all that.
Kenemore: This year, I got to watch you be that wonderful mother figure in “Elf: The Musical” and show one of our middle school students how much you care for their well-being, on and off the stage. You are admired by your peers and your teachers for how seriously you take your academic studies.
Whitney Dellinger (Educator: Mr. Andrew Nance)
Dellinger: When I first walked into Mr. Nance’s classroom, I was very intimidated. I expected Calculus to be one of those classes that would keep me up late at night, trying to make sense of problems that I could barely understand. However, Mr. Nance was able to take something that seems overwhelming and turn it into something manageable, fulfilling and even enjoyable at times.
Nance: In a world where it’s easy to settle for good enough, Whitney refuses to do so. Learning is not a job for her; I believe it is a passion. She sees every challenge as an opportunity and every mistake as a lesson for growth. Whitney is also one of the kindest students I’ve ever had. She consistently puts the needs of others above her own. I believe she embodies the idea of service before self.
Emmie Higgins (Educator: Mrs. Rebecca Elkins)
Higgins: It was because of (Mrs. Elkins’) class (freshman year) that I began to settle into high school, and felt like there were people here who cared about me. I had never met someone more excited to teach - even at 8 a.m. - than Madame. I learned very quickly that her class would be the highlight of my day, every day. While I spent the last four years learning French, I think the most important thing I’ve learned from Madame is the importance of kindness and acceptance.
Elkins: Emmie is humble, and that characteristic is going to take her far in life. You are a light of positivity. You bring joy and a smile to everything you do. From the moment Emmie enters my classroom on time, her attitude and enthusiasm is infectious. Emmie is the face of the senior class, maybe even the face of Shelbyville High School. No matter what the school activity may be, Emmie is there leading, encouraging, supporting, and giving her all.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelby County Compliance Board will review the following properties at Tuesday’s 9 a.m. meeting, held at the courthouse annex: 6116 W. State Road 44, Shelbyville; 3084 N. Fleming Circle, Shelbyville; 8261 W. Sycamore, Fairland; 6191 W 300 North, Boggstown; 4392 W 900 South, Edinburgh; and 2573 W. Old State Road 252, Flat Rock.
Shelbyville High School senior softball player Addison Stieneker was named to The Indianapolis Star’s ALL-USA Central Indiana softball preseason Super Team Second Team. Stieneker batted .388 with 33 hits (six doubles, two triples and six home runs), 30 RBIs and 19 runs scored last season. She struck out just five times in 97 plate appearances and went 2-for-3 on stolen base attempts. The Marshall commit also recorded 34 putouts and 30 assists on 68 chances in the field.
Shelby Shines Prom, hosted by First Christian Church in partnership with Shelby County VC Aktion Club, is set for Saturday, April 26, 6 -9 p.m., at the American Legion in Shelbyville. The Shelby Shines Special Needs Prom for ages 16 and up features a DJ and dance floor, photo opportunities, food and drinks, games and a special guest appearance. A parent/guardian is required to attend with participants. Visit here for information. RSVP at 317-398-4407.
The Community Treasure Series returns to The Strand Theatre on Wednesday, April 2, 7 p.m. Donna Dennison, with the Shelby County Public Library, will lead a presentation on “Laws of Shelby County and Indiana.”
HOOSIER NEWS: A bill to subsidize the development of small modular nuclear reactors now waits for the governor’s signature. Senate Bill 424 allows an Indiana utility to pass along some of the pre-construction costs to their customers — even if the plant never gets finished. So far, none of the ones in the U.S. have. One federally-funded project was canceled in 2023 after more than a decade of work and nearly $9 billion in costs. The legislation is one of several proposed this year to ensure AI data centers coming into Indiana have the massive amount of power they need to operate. (Indiana Public Media)
NATIONAL NEWS: A new survey from the Pew Research Center found that on average, Americans said that the best age to get married is 26.5, the best age to have a kid is 27.3, the best age to buy a home is 28.8 and the best age to retire is 61.8. (Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
Feb. 8, 1961, Part II
Alumni news: Steve Soller was among ROTC cadets at the University of Dayton named to the honor list of distinguished military students. Gary Long, playing for Indiana University, was the team’s most accurate free throw shooter, as reported by Roland Stine in the Indiana Daily Student. Steve Moberly had taken the oath of office as a member of the Indiana University Student Senate.
There were 19 SHS girls with the name of Mary. Tied for second place were the names Pat and Janet with 12, although variants of Janet such as Jane and Janice were included in the total. Another tie came for third place, with Judy and Linda each representing 11 girls. Sue ranked fourth with 10 and Barbara took fifth place with eight.
Two star athletes from SHS were continuing their basketball careers at Ball State: Forrest Theobald and Dan Thurston.
Miss Lorena Williams’ third hour art class dined at her home. Those present were Helen Branagel, Don Graham, Judy Marks, Frank Polston, Charles Schuneman, Sharon Stevens and Sandra Warfield.
Tuna sandwiches were the most popular item in the SHS cafeteria. Hamburgers, tenderloins and Sloppy Joes also received high marks in a survey, as did chili and beef and noodles.
Hi-Y members manning the check-rooms at the Connersville game were Robert Griffith, John Harding, Don Collins, Richard Ewick, Mark Comstock, Tom Helbing, Bob Henry, Wayne Warfield, Steve Ingle and Larry McLane.
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This Day in Shelby County History
News around Shelbyville and the surrounding area as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: Shelby County Republicans held their Lincoln Day Dinner at Occasions. Mark Risley provided a tribute to former President Reagan. Congressman Dan Burton, the keynote speaker, lauded President Bush. “Some say John Wayne is dead. I say, no he’s not…he’s in the White House.” Amy McQueen presented essay scholarships to Mary Nolen and Rachel Carlisle. Nora VanNatta, accompanied by her husband, former mayor Ralph VanNatta, received a large plaque and Sue Corley received a Swarovski crystal elephant for their combined 100-plus years of service to the party and community.
1995: The Shelby County Teen Center was suspended from meeting at the Boys Club after a glass backboard shattered during a teen center event. About 50 children were present at the time with only one volunteer. Officials with the teen center, called The Getaway, said they would pay for the backboard, just as they had paid for a Boys Club window broken during a previous incident.
1985: Plans for a tourist-oriented passenger train between Shelbyville and Lawrenceburg had been delayed by uncertainty over who would buy federally-subsidized Conrail. Representatives of the company had visited Shelbyville to consider the city as a headquarters for an excursion train that was to have been in operation by spring or summer.
1975: The postponed St. Patrick’s Day parade was held. WSVL’s Tom Franklin, in charge of the annual event, once again brought his green-painted horse. The parade route was shortened due to the chilly weather.
1965: Nelson Wiley and Sandra Barnett were winners in the Flat Rock School spelling contest and would represent Flat Rock in the upcoming county contest, to be held at Addison Township School.
The Shelbyville News noted that Melvin Davies, SHS industrial arts instructor, had taught U.S. Astronaut Gus Grissom in Mitchell, Ind. Davies had taught at the school for five years. He recalled Grissom as an “above average student and the type of boy a teacher likes to work with.”
1955: Officials of the Dunlap Development Co., who had established an office at 428 Howard St., announced plans for additional homes in the Sunrise Addition. Plans were in the works to add at least 20 more homes to the 40 already completed.
The Sulphur Hill Cowboys of the Geneva area played at the square and round dance held at Noble Township School to benefit the ambulance fund. Band members were John Smith, Lawrence Phipps, Joe Patterson, Joe Justus, Raymond Patterson and Raymond Kelley.
1945: Chaplain Wilson Singer and Dr. Wayne Gradrain, both of Morristown, had recently met up on the isle of Iwo Jima. It was their first meeting since Rev. Singer had performed the marriage ceremony uniting Dr. Gradrain to Mary Ann (Harper) three years prior.
1935: Local newspapers noted that Nazi officials were in Britain to assure British officials that “the Nazi government’s entire military programs are aimed at peace.” The visit was also in conjunction with the 1936 Olympics, to be hosted in Berlin.
1925: Plans were announced to build a National Guard Armory at Jackson and Pike Streets, behind the post office.
1915: A small crowd of men had been unsuccessful in breaking up a fight between two dogs. They threw water on the dogs and tried other methods to separate them, but one dog seemed intent on killing the other. Dr. B.G. Keeney brought a bottle of ammonia and threw it on the attacking animal, effectively breaking up the fight.
Police went to a home on West Mechanic Street to address a family that was allowing their child to stay home from school because the family did “not believe in (public schools) as they are now operated.” The Republican noted that the law made “no exceptions for the parents who are not believers in the statue governing the attendance of the children at school.” School officials threatened to press charges, and the boy appeared at the Franklin Street school the following day.
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OBITUARIES
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