Monday, May 12, 2025
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SCS Recognizes 25-year Staff, Retirees
(Top left) Twenty-five-year Shelbyville Central Schools teachers Joel Kenemore, Chuck Bujarsky, Scott Hughes and Barbara Weaver are recognized at a banquet last week. (Lower photos) SCS retirees Dawn Adams and Marcy Rees speak at the banquet. | photos by ANNA TUNGATE
The Shelbyville Central Teachers Association last week saluted retirees, who have 147 years of combined experience, and four employees who have reached the 25-year mark with SCS at a banquet hosted at the middle school.
“This is always a bittersweet time of the year, when we have people retire who put so much into this school district and so much in to help our children,” Superintendent Dr. Matt Vance said.
Marlene Hague, Human Resource Specialist, is wrapping up 31 years with the corporation, which included serving as an Instructional Assistant, a secretary at Pearson and Hendricks and working in the central office’s Technology and Business departments.
“Through those different positions you get a big picture of how everything works as a finely-tuned machine,” Hague said. “It doesn't matter if you're a lunch lady serving meals to hundreds of children, inspiring students in a classroom or serving as a traffic controller in an elementary school office, everyone plays an important role in educating this community’s students.”
Hendricks Assistant Principal Colleen Fosnight spoke about Cathy Brown, who is retiring after a 38-year kindergarten teaching career, with 25 of those years at Hendricks Elementary. Fosnight quoted Hendricks teacher Lisa Harpring, who said, “Not only has Cathy been a terrific educator, (but) she has been an outstanding event planner for five- and six-year-olds.” Fosnight noted the many above-and-beyond celebrations Brown created for her students.
Loper Principal Adam Harpring commended Devon Harris, who is retiring after over 19 years as school treasurer.
“As an inexperienced administrator, I quickly learned which people you have to have in your corner to be successful: a school secretary and treasurer is number one,” Harpring said to laughs. “As luck would have it, I walked into a position which already had one of the best secretaries and treasurers in place, and I found out right away that I would absolutely love working with Devon in the front office.”
Harris returned the gratitude. “I can honestly say I did love my job. I loved the people who I worked with, and the only reason I finally retired is because I have a better position now, and it is watching my grandson every day for my daughter, Holly (Boswell, a teacher at Loper).”
Barb Walton is retiring after 43 years as a bus driver, with 30 of those years with SCS. Transportation Director Carrie Glisson described the orderly behavior on Walton’s bus.
“I had to ask her, ‘Barb, how do you do it?’” Glisson said. “And she said, “A little bit of discipline…and I know each and every one of their parents’ phone numbers, and I am not afraid to use them.”
It helped that some of the parents - and even grandparents - had ridden Walton’s bus years before.
“Barb and her late husband Stanley were truly a team dedicated to Shelbyville Central Schools,” Glisson said. “Stanley also served for many years as the head custodian at Coulston Elementary and drove a school bus.” Stanley Walton passed away in 2008.
Sandra Hill is retiring after over two decades as the Hendricks librarian.
“She brought order and creativity to the library,” Principal Erin Tilley wrote in a letter read at the banquet. “She prided herself on keeping the library in tip-top shape and sharing her love of reading with students.”
Hendricks art teacher Dawn Adams is retiring after 18 years with SCS.
“She is someone who is recognized throughout the Shelbyville community, not just as an outstanding educator, but as an outstanding human,” Fosnight said. “Her warm smile, her enthusiasm for life, her ability to connect with others, and her generosity towards anybody in need makes her known throughout Shelbyville.”
Adams said she would miss students and colleagues.
“Being an educator has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I feel it’s a calling, not just an occupation,” she said. “Teaching is a profound part of who I am. I will be a teacher until the day I pass from this earth.”
Business Manager Michelle Babcock, Assistant Superintendent Kathleen Miltz and Director of Student Services Andy Hensley recognized Marcy Rees, who is retiring after serving a variety of roles over 26 years with the corporation.
Miltz recalled the decade Rees worked at Shelbyville High School, during which Miltz was an assistant principal and later the principal, and Hensley was an assistant principal.
“One of the things about Marcy is that people found themselves in her office (to discuss) life’s hardships, and staff would go down there and share with her because they knew that they weren’t going to be judged, and that they were going to be supported, and that she wasn’t going to break their confidence or their trust,” Miltz said.
Rees recalled highlights from her career, noting especially fond memories at the high school.
“There was never a day at SHS that I didn't share a laugh with someone special,” she said.
Also retiring is Loper Elementary teacher Tammy Orem. Current staff recognized for 25 years of service were Chuck Bujarsky, Scott Hughes, Joel Kenemore and Barbara Weaver.
Dr. Vance served as emcee, and Elizabeth Duffy and Joe Land provided music. The banquet was organized by teacher Lisa Kiefer with help from colleagues Kim Berry, Teresa Meredith and Eric Sutton.
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NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville High School Social Studies Academic Super Bowl team finished fourth in Class 1 state competition over the weekend. Team members are Xandar Pavey, Lilly Conners, Jake Huffman and Mylez Clark, and the team is coached by Mr. Vince Bradburn. The State Academic Super Bowl competition was hosted at Purdue University.
The May free Senior Movie is “Juliet and Romeo”, Wednesday, May 4, at Studio 10 Cinema. Doors open at 8:30 a.m., announcements at 8:45 a.m. and the movie begins at 9 a.m. The event is sponsored by Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory.
HOOSIER NEWS: Indiana University Bloomington hosted a record breaking 196th Commencement this weekend. IU reported 11,019 graduate and undergraduate students will receive degrees, making up about half of all IU degrees awarded across the state. Graduates represent all of Indiana’s 92 counties, as well as all 50 states and 133 countries. The youngest graduate is 18 while the oldest is 73. (Indiana Public Media)
NATIONAL NEWS: The New York City Council is considering a measure that would significantly increase the number of legal street vendors serving food in the city, adding over 1,000 new mobile food vendor permits. As it stands, New York has 7,000 mobile food vendor permits that last until someone dies or it’s rescinded, and they are all taken. There is a waiting list 10,000 individuals long, and while there are 445 new permits issued each year, an enterprising vendor is staring down a ten-year wait. The alternatives are either renting a permit through the underground market for somewhere around $25,000 for two years or just working outside the permitting structure. The four bills under consideration would ease those constraints, make it easier for someone to score a permit, and hopefully revive the once vibrant vendor scene in the city. (Eater/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
Feb. 23, 1971
3 Penny Opera (formerly the Stix & Stones) were playing a rock concert at the Cinema on March 5, 10 p.m. Tickets were $1.
The Courier had an article explaining the role of school psychologist Mr. Vince Vecera. The article was titled, “Head Shrinker in 4th Year (of) Service.”
The Grappler-ettes, who helped keep score and manage the wrestling team, were Pam Leffler, Norita Hirschauer, Ruth Richmond, Brooke Benefiel, Sam Schneider and Linda Calkins.
Varsity baseball players had started workouts in the gym with Reserve Coach Bruce Farley. Players had been running a mile or two after school and practicing pitching. Returners for varsity were Bruce Rogers, Rick Joseph, Larry Browning, Mike Underwood, Tom Snyder, Robin Gahimer, Mark Wasson, Jeff Phares and Jack Scott.
Two student teachers from Indiana University were at SHS: Mr. Arnholt, who was working with Mr. Fallis and Mrs. Swigert, and Mr. Frank Hamilton, working with Mr. Hinshaw.
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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: Major Hospital Nurses of the Year were Valerie Miller, Andrea Chandler, Kelli Polston, Darla Benson, Sharon Mize and Kelly Smith.
1995: Shelby County Savings Bank opened a new office at 34 Rampart St. The office featured a four-story entrance tower, and the lobby included a 200-gallon aquarium. It was the bank’s third office, with the others downtown Shelbyville and in St. Paul. Rodney Meyerholtz was president and chief executive officer of the bank.
1985: The Shelbyville Common Council discussed creating an ordinance that would prohibit firing guns (recklessly), B-B guns and slingshots inside city limits. Police Chief Robert Nolley and City Attorney Charles Bate were in charge of drafting the ordinance.
1975: Fannie McDonald, born in 1878, was recognized as Shelby County’s oldest mother by the Delta Xi Chapter, Beta Sigma Phi. The organization sent one dozen yellow roses to her home in Boggstown, located two doors from where she was born.
1965: Rev. James Horner, Mrs. Gushwa and Principal David Thayer held a memorial for the late Lester Mullins, former principal at Charles Major School, and installed a bronze plaque in his memory to hang in the downstairs hallway.
Carl McNeely was elected to serve as president of the SCUFFY board of directors.
1955: Preliminary work was underway to expand Sunrise addition near the airport.
City school safety patrol boys collected soft drink bottles from all homes west of Harrison St. as part of their effort to raise funds for their annual outing.
1945: Former Fairland resident Lt. Paul Carnes, who had been confined to a German prisoner of war camp for over two years, was released. He had been wounded and captured in the African campaign.
1935: Evelyn Keeling was crowned Queen at May Festival. Elmer Billman Jr. was Lord Mayor. Court attendants were Dorothy Long, Norma Potter, Jean Tindall, Helene Etchison, Martha Mull, Rosamond Terry, Wayne Cayton, Richard Monfort, Charles Hepp, Bruce Houghland, Steve Gutting and Robert Hey.
1925: Members of the Shelbyville Better Business Club voted to close their businesses on Memorial Day. Members had been surveyed on their thoughts about closing and whether they would abide by the results of the vote before it occurred.
1915: “The ivy vine which has decorated the front of the First Presbyterian Church here for many years has been torn away,” The Republican reported. “The vine, or as much of it as could be reached, was taken down Monday afternoon. The rigors of the past winter were more than the old vine, with many years of faithful service behind it, could stand. When spring came, after the cold, cold days of the winter, the sap failed to circulate through the old trunk.” The vine had been planted in 1887, two years after the church was built.
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OBITUARIES
Beth Ann Bowen, 60, of Shelbyville passed away on May 10th, 2025 at her home surrounded by family. Beth was born on May 21, 1964 in Shelbyville, Indiana. She was the daughter of James W. Fisher and Judie A. (Thornburg) Fisher. She married David Bowen on October 1, 1983, and he survives. Beth is also survived by her two sons, Dylan (Kristen) Bowen of Indianapolis; Derek (Stacy) Bowen of Alexandria, Ind.; brother Phillip (Amy) Fisher of Indianapolis; half-sister JaMa Fisher of Shelbyville; half-sister Rhonda Fisher of Shelbyville; granddaughter Elizabeth Bowen; sister-in-law Brenda (David) Crawford; brother-in-law Michael (Charlie) Bowen; and several nieces/nephews and great-nieces/nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Beth graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1983. She worked for Bank One in Indianapolis until the birth of her second son. She spent several years as a stay-at-home mom, raising her sons and babysitting local kids. She eventually returned to the workforce for 14 years, doing paralegal work for local law firms. She also worked at J&L Tool and Machine, Inc. Beth enjoyed spending time outdoors, tending to her flower gardens, visiting the beach, and caring for her cats. Above all else, she loved spending quality time with her family.
The Bowen family would like to express their sincere appreciation to all of Beth's outstanding care team, including doctors Jill Cole, Michael Eaton, and Jeffrey Goldberg; nurses Kylie and Andrea; and the countless other nurses and professionals that supported Beth through her four-and-a-half-year journey with cancer. They would also like to thank Beth's long-time best friend, Tina Worthington, for her continuous support, and the many others who have sent cards and meals through the years. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Shelbyville/Shelby County Animal Shelter at 705 Hale Road Shelbyville, IN 46176 or at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2N4RI2DWRER3M. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville, and online condolences may be shared with Beth’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.