Woman of the Year
Thumbs up to Dolores Olivarez for being selected as Girls Inc. of Jackson County’s Woman of the Year. The oncologist at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour was recognized for her contributions to Girls Inc. and the community during the organization’s annual Celebration Gala: Champions Ball on April 9. Described as strong, smart and bold, Olivarez helped develop the Don and Dana Myers Cancer Center at Schneck, allowing patients to receive treatment closer to home, and has contributed to the community and Girls Inc. in many other ways.
Award winning
Thumbs up to Luke Schepman, who recently was recognized for writing the winning essay in the Sertoma Club of Jackson County’s annual "What Freedom Means to Me" essay contest. The St. John’s Sauers Lutheran School sixth-grader wrote that he believes freedom gives people an opportunity to grow as an individual and better themselves. “Freedom gives us choices that we might not otherwise have,” Schepman wrote. “In some places, you don’t have the choice of education, dressing how you want to or the choice of religion.”
Serving the community
Thumbs up to members of the Seymour-based Trail Life USA Troop IN-2206 and American Heritage Girls IN1273 groups, who recently spent time completing a service project at Lutheran Cemetery on the far west side of the city. The youth picked up trash and sticks, carried large branches to a pile after trees were cut down and replaced the American flag. The Christian-centered groups meet weekly in the fellowship hall at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Braves of the Month
Thumbs up to the three Brownstown Central Community School Corp. students who recently were named Students of the Month for March. They are fifth-grader Madison Darlage, eighth-grader Roshaun Hehman and senior Micah Ballard.
Damaging
Thumbs down to the individual or individuals involved in recent acts of vandalism involving the public restrooms in some city parks. Their activities have led Seymour Parks and Recreation Department officials to lock public restrooms at parks until further notice. The amount of damage to restrooms at Gaiser and Kessler parks this past month alone totaled nearly $1,000, said Parks Operation Director Chad Keithley. He said although vandalism in the parks isn’t new, it seems to be a lot worse this year.