Most valuable

Thumbs up to Trinity Lutheran High School’s Genesis Munoz for being named most valuable player of the Indiana All-Star Classic for softball on Saturday afternoon at Decatur Central High School. Munoz’s timely hit with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning drove in two runs to help the South squad tie the game at 3. The squad won the game 4-3 when the next batter, Tecumseh’s Reagan Hight, hit an RBI and the team took care of business defensively in the bottom of the inning.

Outstanding

Thumbs up to Tammy Hensley and Tamara Taskey, both of Seymour, and their Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, Finn, and Susie Rohr of Seymour and her Barbet, Harper, for receiving Awards of Merit during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on June 13 at Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown, New York. At the discretion of the judge, the award may be made to outstanding entries that are not judged to be either Best of Breed, Best of Variety, Best of Opposite Sex, Select Dog or Select Bitch.

Serving others

Thumbs up to Amber Smith of Seymour, who recently was selected as the Columbus area’s Steel Magnolia Award honoree. The program, funded by the Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation, honors women who face personal adversity and have shown exceptional strength, courage, compassion and leadership through their work in support of their communities. Smith was nominated by her manager, Craig Lyness, who says after Smith endured the sudden and unexpected death of her son, she continued to work, raise children and help those in need. Each year at Christmas, she deliver meals to families in Jackson and Jennings counties. Smith will receive $2,500 from foundation for her charity of choice, Blessings in a Backpack of Jackson County. Nominations by essay were solicited from the public in 15 communities, including Columbus, where Cleveland-Cliffs operates a facility. Nominators and nominees did not have to be associated with employees of the Cleveland, Ohio-based steelmaker.

Cycling champions

Thumbs up to Seymour native and Indiana University junior Trent Hohenstreiter, who helped Jetblach win the 50-mile, 200-lap Little 500 on May 26 at Indiana University’s Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. The race came down to a sprint, and the Jetblach team took advantage of Hohenstreiter and three other strong racers, Josh Herbst, Braden Clements and Rob Krahulik, to earn the victory.