Hall of famer

Thumbs up to longtime Seymour High School Principal Greg Prange, who recently was selected for induction into the Seymour High School Wall of Fame. Prange, an SHS alumnus, has dedicated nearly 40 years of service to the school and its students. He began serving as an assistant principal in 1999 and was named principal in 2006. Friends of Prange have organized an open house to celebrate his induction and upcoming retirement. The open house will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 4 at Knights of Columbus Council 1252, 118 E. Second St., Seymour. Friends, family and community members are invited to attend and share memories, well wishes and words of thanks with Prange.

Set for semistate

Thumbs up to the Brownstown Central High School volleyball squad for winning the Mitchell Regional on Saturday by beating Linton-Stockton 3-1 in the title match. The 23-13 Braves face 25-11 Indianapolis Scecina at 1 p.m. today in the Columbus East Semistate. The Braves roster features seniors Adelynn Anderson, Kera Wischmeier and Kaitlyn Williams; juniors Addison Darlage, Kinzee Dean, Haley Derringer, Noelani McPherson, Paisleigh Peters and Jaydynn Yeadon; sophomores Jenna Boknecht, Claire Brelage, Olivia Fritz, Olivia Justice, Brailey Tiepen, Genna Preston, Ashlyn Sorg, Finley Wheeler and Sophie Wischmeier; and freshmen Claire Brock, Alex Davidson, Ella Nehrt, Lois Vaught and Claire Young. The Braves, who won the school’s 18th regional crown and are shooting for a fourth semistate title, are coached by Jennifer Shade.

Winning ways

Thumbs up to Brownstown Central High School football coach Reed May, who became the fifth winningest active coach in the state (12th highest all-time) after the Braves beat visiting Indianapolis Scecina 56-27 on Oct. 20 at home in the opening contest of the Class 2A Sectional 59. May has compiled a record of 300-63 over his 30-year career. His winning percentage of .826 also tops the charts among active coaches. The Braves have won 13 sectionals and three regionals under May’s leadership. Another thumbs up to May, who was named Colts High School Coach of the Week for the fifth time.

Off to state

Thumbs up to Brownstown Central cross country runners — and twin brothers — Chance and Shane Ratliff, who earned berths in today’s state meet along with Seymour’s Vivienne Siefker. Shane finished 21st in the boys cross country regional, while Chance finished 24th. Siefker finished 24th in the girls meet. The state meet is at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute. The boys race begins at noon today, and the girls competition starts at 2 p.m. Admission is $15.

Serving their communities

Thumbs up to the employees of Toyota Material Handling. The Columbus-based firm received the 2023 Manufacturing Excellence Award for Community Impact during the Indiana Manufacturers Association’s Hall of Fame Luncheon on Oct. 18 in Indianapolis. The annual awards recognize manufacturers that make important contributions to the customers and communities they serve and set an example for other companies to follow. Toyota has cultivated numerous community-focused relationships, including corporate partnerships with the American Red Cross, United Way and Anchor House Family Assistance Center and Pantry, a local nonprofit in Seymour focusing on investing in neighbors through housing, employment resources and nutritional assistance.