Shining stars

Thumbs up to the participants of the seventh annual Dancing with the Seymour Stars, including Janet Myers and her dog, Winnie, who danced away with the top prize by raising the most money for two local nonprofit organizations. The other participants were Curt and Summer Schleibaum, who finished second; Katrina Hardwick and Dr. Brandon Millick, who placed third; Matt and Lindsey Montgomery; Marykate Helmsing and Matt Nieman; Chelsea Burrell and Scott Davis; Brandon Hunsley and Myka Wetzel; and Drew Hunt and Sarah Arnold. A related thumbs up to everyone who donated to the cause, which raised a record-smashing total of $133,388.95. That money will be split between the Boys and Girls Club of Seymour and Seymour Main Street.

Great judges

Thumbs up to the Seymour High School FFA chapter that won the annual Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District’s soils judging contest Sept. 18 at the farm of Dale Pottschmidt. Members of that team were Luke Lanam, Sydney Wiesehan, Adam Newkirk and Ethan Marin. A related thumbs up to the other 23 participants, including the second-place team of Jo Brittain, Macey Stuckwisch and Abby Stuckwisch from Brownstown Central High School and the third-place team of Kade Hill, Michael Claycamp, Hannah Kerkhof and Cassidy Burnside from Trinity Lutheran High School.

Leading the way

Thumbs up to Brownstown Central High School’s FFA adviser Blake Hackman and Crothersville Junior-Senior High School FFA adviser Linda Myers who will receive the Honorary American FFA Degree on Nov. 1. It’s the highest honor given to those who advance agriculture education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment and also an opportunity to recognize those who have gone beyond valuable daily contributions to make an extraordinary long-term difference in the lives of students, inspiring confidence in a new generation of agriculturists.

All-state singers

Thumbs up to the five Seymour High School students who have been named to the Indiana All-State Choir. They are Amanda Massengale, Anna Massengale, Carly Kaiser, Liza Stuckwisch and Levi Croquart.

State finalist

Thumbs up to Seymour High School’s No. 1 golfer Bridget Marshall who shot a 76 on Saturday during the Washington Regional at Country Oaks Golf Course in Montgomery. That score earned the senior a spot in the state finals that began this morning at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel.