Latest news with #LebanonHighSchool
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Fist pumps and goose bumps: Lebanon High School Class of 2025 graduates in high spirits
Friday night was an occasion for fist pumps and confetti at Lebanon High School. Class president Joe Susong led the 149th graduating Lebanon High School class into the gymnasium. Friends and family in the bleachers cheered and whistled. They waved bouquets of flowers, baby photos, and signs attached to sticks at their children who stood in black robes on the edge of adulthood. The seniors searched for familiar faces and flashed the peace sign, pumped their fists, pointed, and grinned from ear to ear. They hugged one another and waited for the band to complete 'Pomp and Circumstance.' Students who will serve in the armed forces after graduation led the standing-room-only crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and basked in a spontaneous standing ovation from their peers. Olivia Follmar encouraged her class not to ask God for easy lives but to become stronger men and women, before she led them in prayer. Principal Frank Meyer began with a Mark Twain quote, 'I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.' 'Your schooling ends tonight, but your education is just beginning,' he said. He encouraged them to take their hunger to keep learning and to be brave enough to fall short. 'Fail at something important and figure out how to do it again, better,' he said. Valedictorian Taylor O'Brien plans to attend Notre Dame University in the fall. He had a high school grade point average of 4.6, is an Eagle Scout, an academic all-star, and lettered four years in swimming, among other accomplishments. O'Brien said he doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up and assumed that most of his classmates don't know either. 'That's okay,' he told them. 'Not knowing creates the possibility for opportunity,' he said. 'The best way to predict the future is to create it.' Salutatorian Claire Boling urged classmates to enjoy the time they have left together this summer and to forge friendships and make memories with a new set of people as they move forward.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lebanon native returns to perform at Summer Fest
Lebanon High School 2015 grads might remember Chase Wright as a soccer player and track athlete. He even ran track for four years at DePauw University while he pursued a degree in economics. However, in his junior year in college Wright went in a totally different direction. 'The first time I sang was with Pixie Playhouse when I was 5. I sang 'God Bless America' for a 9/11 memorial service,' Wright said. 'A few years later I sang in a talent show at the 4-H Fairgrounds but then I didn't sing publicly again until I was in college. One of my favorite artists said he didn't start playing guitar until college and I think we often believe 18 is too late to pursue something like this, but it gave me confidence. I started singing and playing the guitar every chance I got.' An internship at a large corporation's finance department during his junior year of college made it official. Wright knew, though he'd always had an interest in business and entrepreneurship, perhaps he could use his skills in a different way. 'I had such a good time playing and I felt there might be more to this, so I decided to take the next 18 months to really devote my time to music,' Wright said. 'It was like a risk-free trial.' And it paid off. After posting videos on Instagram and Facebook, Wright was approached by a professional in Nashville, encouraging him to attend a writer's workshop. Three weeks after graduating with the economics degree, he had landed in 'Music City U.S.A.' The independent artist has released two albums in the past six years, with another on the way. He's earned 320 million cumulative streams worldwide and was named Spotify's 'Hot Country Artist to Watch,' among other accolades. Wright said it's the perfect pairing between passion for creativity and his love for entrepreneurship. 'I think I'm most passionate about running the business. There are so many things I can't control, but one thing I can is how hard I work,' he said. 'It's such a mentally tough business with so many ups and downs but I can continue to post videos and photos and reach people. Obviously, I love going to a writing room with the potential to write an original song that will be around forever. I have that chance every single day, which is super cool.' This weekend, the musician is headed back to his hometown to take the stage at Summer Fest in downtown Lebanon. 'I think it's awesome,' Wright said. 'It'll be great to see familiar faces I haven't seen in years; teachers I had growing up and family. Lebanon is also in a great central spot and I've had some fans say they're coming in to see the show. It's awesome to be able to bring other people into Lebanon too.' Wright will head out to the merchandise table after his performance Saturday evening to visit with fans and reunite with Lebanon friends and family. Summer Fest is a free family-friendly event in downtown Lebanon from 6 to 10 p.m. May 30 and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 31. Wright will close out the event on May 31, taking the stage at 8 p.m.
Axios
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Actor Drew Powell's best day ever in Indianapolis
Drew Powell, a native Hoosier who's been making a name for himself in Hollywood for the past two decades, was back in Central Indiana last weekend to support the IU Health Foundation at its annual fundraiser gala Rev. Driving the news: Powell, who just finished a powerful storyline as Doug Driscoll on the hit show "The Pitt," starred in "Gotham" for four seasons and had guest appearances on "The Office," "Grey's Anatomy," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and more. Zoom in: Before Powell returned home to L.A., we asked the Lebanon High School graduate how he'd spend his Best Day Ever in the Circle City. 🥯 Breakfast: A pershing and glazed donut from Titus Bakery — a Lebanon original. "Everyone wants to talk about Long's," Powell said, "but that's not where it's at." 🚲 Morning activity: A bike ride on the Monon Trail in Hamilton County, where his parents now live. "We did this a lot during COVID," he said. 🥪 Lunch: Patachou, for the chicken salad sandwich. 🚤 Afternoon activity: Taking a boat out on Geist or Morse Reservoir for a little tubing and water skiing. 🖼️ Second afternoon activity: Popping into Newfields for a bite in the museum cafe and a look at the Robert Indiana "LOVE" sculpture, something special to Powell's family. Powell said he's been going to the museum since he was a kid, and it may or may not be where he learned what happens when you open an emergency exit door. ⚾️ Evening activity: Baseball game at Victory Field. "Or Pacers, or Colts. Fill in the blank for whatever season it is," said Powell, a huge Indy sports supporter. He said keeping up with Indy sports has helped him feel connected to his Hoosier roots while living in L.A. 🥃 Dinner: St. Elmo Steak House "And I'm having one of those cherry coke things," Powell said, referencing the restaurant's signature "Elmo Cola," which mixes a glass-bottled Coke with its own St. Elmo cherry vanilla whiskey and drunken cherries. 🎸 After dinner activity: After dinner, Powell's running back up to HamCo to catch the encore of a Dave Matthews Band show at Ruoff Music Center… er, Deer Creek. "One of my favorite places in Indy is Deer Creek," he said. "It'll always be Deer Creek to me, don't give me any of this bullshit Ruoff, or whatever." What's next: Powell just finished filming for the four-episode reboot of "Malcolm in the Middle," set to air on Disney+ later this year.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Public Works Commissioner retiring after 35 years
Jeff Baines, Commissioner of Public Works, is retiring after 35 years of service for the City of Lebanon. 'His knowledge is immeasurable when it comes to the City of Lebanon,' Mayor Rick Bell said. In recognition for the work Baines has done for the city, he was presented a 'Legends of Lebanon' award by Mayor Bell. 'Tonight, Jeff, you're going to be an official legend,' Bell said. 'Are you sure about that?' Baines responded jokingly. Baines is a graduate of Lebanon High School Class of 1976 and in 1980 earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville. Baines began his professional career in 1980 with Metro Nashville Public Works. In 1990, Baines was hired by Mayor Bobby Jewell as City Engineer. Eight years later, he was named Commissioner of Public Works. In 2020, the American Public Works Association honored Baines as a lifetime member. Through his 35-year career, Baines has worked with five mayors, numerous city councilors, and for thousands of Lebanon citizens. With a standing ovation, thunderous applause, a handshake and a hug, Baines accepted the Legends of Lebanon award from Bell. 'This is home. It's about serving,' Baines said. 'All the folks who've worked with me [through] the years — we're a team. I believe in the concept of team.' 'On our next agenda, we'll have a resolution to name the public works building the Jeff Baines Public Works Building,' Bell said. A public works complex has been in the works for many years, and Mayor Bell said once the complex is complete, it will be known as the Jeff Baines Public Works Complex. 'All right!' Ward 5 Councilor Tick Bryan cheered regarding the news of the complex. 'You're going to be missed, and I'm sure you're going to be back,' Ward 1 Councilor Joey Carmack said, also noting his long friendship with Baines. 'I've only been here for six short months and I feel like Jeff Baines is my friend for life,' Ward 2 Councilor Geri Ashley said. 'He feels like somebody that I've known forever. He stops whatever he's doing to help.' 'I don't know anybody else that can make sewer, water or engineering more interesting than he can,' Ward 3 Councilor Camille Burdine said, while also reiterating the sentiments shared by other city officials. 'I'm going to continue the accolades for my friend,' Bryan said. 'I've probably known Jeff longer than anyone in this room — other than his mother.' 'He even told me in a kind of a bragging way, when I first got on the council, he said, 'Tick, I know where every sewer lid is on every street in Lebanon.' That was impressive,' Bryan added. Before joining the other councilors in congratulating Baines, Ward 6 Councilor Phil Morehead took the opportunity to also thank Police Chief Mike Justice for addressing speeding in the Five Oaks neighborhood. 'And now to continue with the Jeff Baines show,' Morehead said. 'You've been a mentor. As a [newer] council member, anytime I had a question I could reach out to you. You never put me off, always gave me the straight scoop, and pointed me in the right direction.' Ward 4 Councilor Cris Crowell was absent from Tuesday's meeting. At the adjournment of the City Council meeting, Bell let Baines strike the gavel to end the session. Bell previously let former Ward 2 Councilor Fred Burton adjourn his last meeting when retiring.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prom 2025 in Nashville, Middle Tennessee: See photos of the fun, the fits and the glitz
Prom season is in full swing around Middle Tennessee. From starry nights to masquerades, this year's themes are off to a strong start, and our talented Tennessean photojournalists have been out capturing it all. We'll add more photo galleries as we go along, so check back here as prom season unfolds. From interstellar backdrops to space suits, Lebanon High School danced the night way at The Mill for "Cosmic Night." Masks of all shapes and sizes dotted the dance floor at McGavock High School's "Masquerade Ball" prom at the Gaylord Springs Golf Links. Wilson Central High took over The Mill for their prom this year in a blur of sequins, jewel tones and, of course, a few cowboy hats. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville prom: See Middle Tennessee photos, fashion
