Fun(d)-raising

Thumbs up to Trinity Lutheran High School students, who raised $5,075.54 for Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health during a six-hour dance marathon Saturday in the Bollinger Athletic Complex at the Seymour school. Riley Dance Marathons are student-run organizations that support Riley Hospital through year-round fundraising efforts. More than 80 Indiana high schools and colleges participate annually in the program, which raised $6.592 million for the kids last year, according to the Riley Children’s Foundation. To sustain and expand groundbreaking and lifesaving pediatric research, facilities, medical treatment and accessibility, Riley relies on generous and broad-based financial support, including Dance Marathons.

Spreading hoppiness

Thumbs up to the Easter bunny, who left behind a trail of eggs filled with sweet treats and other goodies for children this past weekend throughout Jackson County. Nothing like a good Easter egg hunt to brighten the day of children and even some adults.

Continuing a tradition

Thumbs up to the Brownstown Area Ministerial Association, which has organized a Cross Walk in the days leading up Easter for more than 20 years. On the walk each day, two participants take turns carrying a 10-pound wooden cross from one church to another in the town. Along the way, people can reflect on the reason of Easter, which is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Each day of the walk ended with a devotion and a prayer. The walk ends each year with a Good Friday worship service.

Statewide recognition

Thumbs up to Trinity Lutheran guard Tyler Goecker and Brownstown Central guard Jack Benter, who recently were recognized by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. Goecker was named honorable mention senior all-state, while Benter was chosen as honorable mention underclassman all-state. The association, in conjunction with Franciscan Health, picks Supreme 15 all-state teams for seniors and underclassmen as well as large school and small school all-state squads.

Excellence

Thumbs up to the four Jackson County athletes who recently earned academic all-state recognition by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. The award honors players for their combined excellence on the court with excellence in the classroom each year. The four were Brownstown Central’s Katherine Benter, who received first-team honors, and Seymour’s Alyssa Perry and Trinity Lutheran teammates Tyler Goecker and Jack Marksberry, who received honorable mention accolades.