Education

By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, Ind. – Behind his black mask, Grissom Elementary School fifth grader Khylan Kennedy beemed with pride after receiving his Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Citizenship Award from Interim Principal Randy McCracken. He had no idea he was even up for an award. “The students are nominated by teachers and other school leaders, so it’s always wonderful to see their reactions to this recognition they were never anticipating,” Muncie Community Schools Diversity Director Rhonda Ward said….

By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, Ind.—Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series on MuncieJournal.com profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction. Not many high school students can say they’ve participated in multiple triathlons, but Yorktown High School senior Grace Huisman is one of them. Those triathlons are in addition to her regular high school sports as well, including cross country, swimming and track….

By Jennifer S. Gasiorek— Muncie, IN – “Shirley Chisholm said, if you don’t have a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. Beyond having a seat at the table, having a voice that is valued, respected, and heard is vital. Often, the terms diversity, inclusion, equity, belonging and community engagement are talked about, but we must also walk that walk. Those words need to go beyond being a tagline, they need to be practiced with purpose and invested in with…

By Ball State Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, Ind. – Dr. Don Shondell, an iconic figure in the sport of volleyball who founded the men’s program at Ball State University, passed away Tuesday night. He was 92. “Don Shondell was a friend to Ball State, an icon in our Muncie community, and a pioneer in the sport of volleyball,” Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns said. “Through his extraordinary contributions to our university and the sport, his unmatched legacy lives on…

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Muncie Central High School Alumni Association recognized three distinguished Central graduates at its 2021 annual meeting in November. Thomas L. Raisor, a 1954 Muncie Central graduate, was honored for his long-time service to the community of Muncie and the MCHS Alumni Association. He is the the first alumnus to become a second-generation recipient. His father, Floyd Raiser, was named a distinguished alumnus in 2003. Raisor was a member of the 1951 and 1952 championship basketball…