Serving others

Thumbs up to the Point Students for volunteering at Anchor House Family Assistance Center and Pantry in Seymour as part of the day of service that occurs nationwide on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A dozen youth from The Point in Seymour helped organize nonperishable food items in the warehouse, assisted food pantry clients and cleaned one of the apartments for the next homeless family that will stay there for temporary shelter.

Strongman

Thumbs up to Kyle Wilp of Seymour for becoming a nationally ranked weightlifter. The 34-year-old kindergarten teacher at Margaret R. Brown Elementary School in Seymour won his first meet in March 2021 in Indianapolis. He competed in the USA Weightlifting American Open Finals in December in Denver, Colorado, where he placed high and qualified for the USA Weightlifting Nationals this summer in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Students of the Month

Thumbs up to the three Brownstown Central Community School Corp. students who recently were named Student of the Month for December. First-grader Emmett McPike, seventh-grader Ada Lanier and sophomore Lane Zike were recognized during the Jan. 11 board of school trustees meeting at the administration office.

First responders

Thumbs up to Todd Brumfield and Chris Gilbert for being named the Pershing Township Volunteer Fire Department’s 2021 Firefighters of the Year.

Thumbs up to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department for recognizing the late Rick Hirtzel as the Jerry Hounshel Reserve Officer of the Year for 2021 and presenting Officer Jordan Hawn with the Herschel Baughman Top Gun Award for 2021.

Happy birthday

Thumbs up to Joan Hines, who turned 85 on Tuesday, for driving a Seymour city bus for 17 years after retiring as a rural letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. Instead of sitting at home after retirement, Hines said she thought it would be more interesting to drive a bus for the city. She said there isn’t anything she would’ve rather done after her retirement from the post office.

Proud to be an American

Thumbs up to the local winners of the Veterans of Foreign Wars essay contests. Immanuel Lutheran School seventh-grader Samuel Dyer won the Patriot’s Pen essay contest for students in grades 6 to 8, and Brownstown Central High School senior Kelsey Wischmeier won the Voice of Democracy essay contest for students in grades 9 to 12. During a recognition ceremony Jan. 11 at VFW Post 1925 in Seymour, both students read their essay and received a certificate and $500 for winning the local level. Winners have a chance to go on and win state and national awards.

Netting success

Thumbs up to Seymour High School junior Brooke Schafstall for winning the 16U tennis tournament at Ball State University in Muncie. She won three matches in straight sets, only giving up one game, and won a fourth match by forfeit. Also a thumbs up to teammate Addison Hunsley, a freshman, for being in attendance to cheer her on.