Matthias Benko, BCHS Class of 2019 and current junior at IU, shared his passion for birding with the IU campus by forming a club called Bloomington Birders. His hope was to inspire students to be concerned about birds and preserving the places they need to survive.

During 2020 and the pandemic, the birding club offered opportunities to connect with nature through guided bird walks and virtual gatherings. This led to joining Audubon Great Lakes in an effort to raise awareness for climate solutions in Indiana to protect the two-thirds of North American birds that are at risk because of climate change.

Read the full article in gl.audubon.org.

Zack Martin, BCHS Class of 2009 and currently on the Dallas Cowboys team, was named to the 2022 All-Pro Team for the 7th time in his career. He was named to the first team five times and is already listed as one of the top 100 NFL Football interior linemen. Congratulations Zack!

Gary Hessel, BCHS Class of ’76 writes the following:

“My wife (Brenda) and I had a great time at this years’ 45 year reunion.

We split our time between our homes in Whitestown, IN and Santa Clara, Utah. We have 3 grandkids in Firestone, Colorado – 3 in St. George, Utah and 2 in Brownsburg, IN.”

Aaron Hepp, BCHS Class of 2012, is once again on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium! This time he is a senior broadcast producer and editor at the University of Alabama, on the sidelines and behind the scenes for the Crimson Tide as they meet Georgia in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship!

After playing on back-to-back state champion football teams at BCHS, Aaron played football from 2012-2016 at Ball State. During that time, he joined Ball State Sports Link to learn the trade, to prepare for a career after football. Upon graduation, he spent 7 months at the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, and has been working with Alabama Athletics since July 2017.

Read the complete story (in the Muncie Star Press) of his pathway from playing football to producing broadcasts for the top game of the college season.

Photo courtesy of Aaron Hepp/Star Press

Katie Wessel, BCHS Class of ’09, married Ryan Harcourt in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, on Nov. 20, 2021. The newlyweds met through a mutual friend and Ryan’s co-worker, Kalie (Noll) Hicks, BCHS ’09. The wedding was a beautiful day, celebrating with close family, friends and loved ones. Together, they are starting their next adventure as husband and wife in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Congratulations to Monique Ware, BCHS Class of 2005, who recently started a new job as Director of Financial Aid for the Indianapolis location of Ivy Tech Community College. Monique had previously worked at Marian University for over 13 years in financial aid in the positions of assistant, associate, and director of financial aid.

Kenny LaRose, BCHS Class of 2011 and Colleen (Treesh) LaRose, BCHS Class of 2013, welcomed Scottie Catherine LaRose into their family on 9/9/21. She had open heart surgery at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital at 8 days old and now she is thriving!! Our prayers for the health of this new little LaRose.

Greg Welch, BCHS Class of 1983, recently completed a year of Clinical Pastoral Education Residency at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL where I am working as a hospital chaplain. The residency is a required step toward certification as a Board Certified Chaplain.