Alumni Hall of Fame

Dr. Brian Gray

Dr. Brian Gray graduated from Carmel High School in 1998. Brian attended the University of Notre Dame for his undergraduate degree and received his M.D. degree from Vanderbilt University. His general surgery training at the University of Michigan included a two-year extracorporeal life support (ECMO) fellowship where he researched novel applications of ECMO technology and therapies. Dr. Gray then completed a pediatric surgery fellowship at Riley Hospital for Children and currently serves as the Surgical Director of ECMO at Riley. He has a clinical interest and practice in all areas of pediatric surgery, with a specific academic interest in working to improve the safety and efficacy of ECMO care. He also enjoys working to improve the diagnosis and management of infants with congenital malformations.  He has received several teaching awards and is active in the ongoing development of residency and fellowship programs at Indiana University. Dr. Gray was named to the Indianapolis Business Journal Forty under 40 list in 2020. The impact he has made on countless children and their families is commendable.   

Bruce Wolf

Bruce Wolf graduated from Carmel High School in 1975 and received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and Master’s degree from IUPUI. At Carmel High School, he served as a teacher, coach, and for 25 years as Assistant Athletic Director. After his retirement, he helped develop the Unified Coaches Association of Indiana and now serves as Executive Director. As the Assistant AD at CHS, he helped initiate the Champions Together program and helped add many Unified Sports. He is beloved by the entire AD community, CHS staff, and former students. His tireless work to make sports at CHS inclusive to all has made a permanent, positive impact on our special education community as well as the general education students working with them. Through Champions Together, he helped start Mr. Carmel, which has donated thousands of dollars to Special Olympics Indiana. In 2016, Bruce received the Charles Maas Distinguished Service Award from the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. In 2019, he received the Spirit of Unified Administrator Award from Champions Together. Bruce helped coach Carmel football to four state championships (80, 81, 86, and 89). Bruce also currently holds the CHS football record for longest touchdown pass reception of 97 yards in 1973. His dedication to excellence, attitude of servant leadership, and countless acts of kindness made a lasting impact at Carmel High School and beyond.

Kip Benbow

Kip Benbow graduated from Carmel High School in 1993. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served honorably for four years. He then attended Butler University and graduated with a BA in History. While at Butler, Kip was actively involved with Sigma Nu Fraternity and served as vice president of the Pan-Hellenic Council.  He re-enlisted in the Indiana National Guard serving for another 9 years. During his combined military service of 13 years, he was deployed operationally to Bosnia, Albania, Zaire/Congo and Afghanistan. Kip Benbow has served with the Carmel Fire Department since 2004 as a Firefighter, Paramedic, EMS Duty Officer, Rescue Task Force Instructor and as a Tactical Medical Provider for the Carmel Police Department SWAT Team. He has given back to the community of Carmel and surrounding area through interactions with Boy and Girl Scout Troops providing CPR and Stop the Bleed classes, K-12 classroom presentations of his experiences in the military and public safety. He is also a volunteer high school rugby coach.

Amy Skeens-Benton

Amy Skeens-Benton graduated from Carmel High School in 1989 and now serves as a Carmel High School Assistant Principal. She received her undergraduate degree from Purdue University and her Master's degree in Educational Administration from Butler University. Ms. Skeens-Benton was a founding member of The Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy, providing ongoing training on best practices for school safety. The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security recognized her as the country's Professional of the Year, yet her contributions don't end with sports and safety. The National Association of School Resource officers awarded her with the Exceptional Service Award for her contribution to student well-being.  She has even been a guest on the Oprah show featuring her work with students engaged in community service! Every day, Ms. Skeens-Benton brings enthusiasm, professionalism, and warmth to Carmel High, making students feel loved, cared for, and part of the Greyhound family. Ms. Skeens-Benton has improved the lives of many.

Kelly Anne Meyer

Kelly Anne Meyer graduated from Carmel High School in 1986. After high school Kelly went to Ball State University and earned her Bachelor's of Science/Education degree before moving on to St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minnesota where she earned her Master’s degree in education. Kelly has been teaching for 25 years and is currently a first grade teacher at Mohawk Trail's Elementary where she is co-sponsor for the Student Council and a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. In 2012 she was the Carmel Teacher of the Year.  She is a major advocate for Breast Cancer awareness and was the Susan G. Komen Volunteer of the Year. She has been team captain for Faithful Friends, a Race for the Cure Team, for over 24 years and the top individual fundraiser in 2018 and 2019. She has switched gears and moved on to help with the IWIN (Indiana Women in Need) Foundation that helps breast cancer survivors.  While an advocate for Breast Cancer awareness and the Susan G. Komen foundation and IWIN Foundation, she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and as of March 2022 she is cancer free. Mrs. Meyer has been on countless mission trips including twice to Nicaragua where she financially supports two students, an educational trip to Uganda, and a mission trip to New York to serve the homeless .  In the community she has volunteered to visit the elderly at local nursing homes for over 20 years, organized monthly dinners out with her buddy, Chris who is autistic, and volunteered at numerous organizations including Northview Church, Gleaner’s Food Bank, Special Olympic Bowling, and Circle City Relief. Kelly has made such a huge impact in the community and will do absolutely anything for anyone.

Quinn Shepherd

Mr. Quinn Shepherd graduated from Carmel High School in 2000. After graduating from Carmel he continued to Santa Monica College for Theater Drama and Beverly Hills Playhouse Acting School. Later, he received his Bachelors of Science in Organizational Communications from Ball State University and pursued a Masters in Ministry from Grace College. He has received several awards and honorary positions such as the GOLD Award from Ball State for outstanding accomplishments of recent graduates, the David Letterman College of Communication Information Media distinguished alumni award, Marketing Advisor for the 2013 Indiana High School Basketball All Star Game. 

Mr. Shepherd’s service and contributions include Riley Children’s hospital, The Shepherd Giving Tree, the American Heart Association, and Carmel High School’s own Performing Arts program . His service also includes leading a Humanitarian Mission Trip to Guatemala. Mr. Shepherd can currently be seen as a partner in Shepherd Insurance, Co-Owner of AscendUSA, the Dean’s Advisory Board at Ball State, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce.  Quinn has also served on the boards of Central Mutual Insurance, Center for the Performing Arts, Central Indiana Police Foundation, 100 Club of Indianapolis and Wisdom and Grace Ministries.

Andy Josephson

After graduating with the CHS Class of 1993, he received a Bachelor’s Degree from Stanford University and went on to graduate first in his class from the WashU Medical School. Currently, he serves at the University of California San Francisco as the Chair of the Department of Neurology and as a Distinguished Professor, for which he has received numerous teaching awards. He has done extensive research in his field which is seen as he has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed published articles along with other books, and he serves as the Editor in Chief of JAMA Neurology, the top-ranked clinical neurology journal in the United States. Dr. Josephson is seen as a pioneer in the field of treating neurological disorders as he created and launched the neurohospitalist model of care that is now used widely across the nation.

Megan Soultz

Officer Megan Soultz is a member of the CHS Class of 2006, and afterward she earned her Bachelor’s in Biology from Depauw and her Master’s from IUPUI. One noteworthy fact about her is that she was a first responder to the so-called “Miracle on the Hudson” incident where a powerless jetliner landed on the Hudson River. Now, as a member of the Carmel Police Department, she is a licensed EMT and carries the distinction of being the first woman on the Carmel Police Department’s SWAT team. Additionally, she uses her background in biology to not only teach classes at the IU School of Medicine and for EMS programs, but she has also been a leader for Carmel’s research efforts and fight against COVID-19.

Stephanie Kim

Mrs. Stephanie Kim graduated in 1994 from Carmel High School, before going on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from Vanderbilt and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. Her career has been centered around her work for the Telamon Corporation, where she has served in high-impact positions, most currently as Chief Administration Officer and President of Logistics. Some of her honors include being named to the Indianapolis Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” in 2010 and being featured in a Cover Story for the Indianapolis Woman Magazine. In addition to her business involvement, Stephanie is also extensively engaged with the Carmel and Indianapolis community. She has served on the boards of and volunteered for several key community organizations, including The Center for Performing Arts, United Way of Central Indiana, Newfields, and the Carmel Clay Public Library. 

Jeffery Langston 

A member of the Carmel Class of 1986, Mr. Langston earned a Bachelor of Science degree and an MBA from Purdue University. As the owner and operator of Indiana’s award-winning Heartwood Custom Homes, Jeff gained over a decade of construction management experience before co-founding the Old Town Design Group with Justin Moffitt. He has received many statewide awards for his work. In regards to his incredible community contributions, he started the Homes for Families in Need program where for every home Old Town Design Group builds, a contribution is made to help build a home in the developing countries of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. He also started the Home Design Challenge at Creekside Middle School to give students more insight into the field.

Bobby Cox

Bobby Cox graduated from CHS as a part of the Class of ‘75, where he participated in Cross Country and Track and Field. After graduating from CHS, Cox attended Butler University, receiving his BA in PE & Health in 1979, his MA in Secondary Education in 1987, and his Administrative License in 1995. While at Butler, Cox was an active member of the Track & Field team, setting the six-mile record for the school in 1978. Bobby went onto to be an integral part of athletics for Carmel-Clay Schools, serving as a teacher, coach, and athletic administrator for a combined total of 21 years. During these years, he established his presence in the district, overseeing all 54 athletic teams, 97 coaches, and over 1,100 student athletes while serving as Athletic Director of CHS from 1997 to 2000.  He also served as an Athletics Director for Clay Middle School, when he was honored as the District III Athletic Administrator of the Year for junior highs and middle schools. Then, starting in 2000, Cox began administering football, boys’ golf, boys’ and girls’ track and field, and wrestling as Assistant Commissioner of the IHSAA. 

As Commissioner, Bobby introduced a partnership in “servant leadership”, and initiated unprecedented ways to give back to schools and communities. Cox was a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee, serving as the Chairman of the Research subcommittee. In 2011, Cox began his role of Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Commissioner.  Regardless of the prestige of his achievements, his initiatives with Special Olympics and similar organizations that help those with disabilities participate in sports has arguably been his most impactful work. Combining both his love for athletics and his desire to give back to his community, Cox spearheaded the movement to create a partnership between the IHSAA and Special Olympics. This partnership, known as “Champions Together,” was created on Dec. 17, 2012, and to this day, “Champions Together” continues to be an active organization at this high school and at many others. This partnership has helped the “inclusion revolution” in promoting Special Olympics throughout the state of Indiana.

Tripp Zanetis

Christopher “Tripp” Zanetis graduated from Carmel High School in 1999. He participated in diving and show choir while in high school. After graduating, he began attending NYU, from which he earned his BA in politics cum laude in 2003. Having volunteered with the Fire Department of New York for 14 hours on 9/11 as a sophomore, he joined the FDNY after graduating and was later promoted to Fire Marshal. Tripp fought several catastrophic fires while serving on the FNDY. In 2008, he joined the Air National Guard, and was deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq with the 106th Rescue Wing. Before his final tour, he had received four Air Medals for combat missions.

In 2014, while on active duty, he joined Stanford Law School. He worked on the Stanford Journal of International Law and the International Refugee Assistance Project. He served as co-President of the Stanford Law Veterans Organization and won the National LGBT Bar Association Student Leadership Award. He spent 6 months in Brussels, Belgium working with the Office of Legal Affairs for NATO. He also facilitated the rededication of the school’s World War II memorial plaque and helped open it for public display. Zanetis became an associate at a New York City law firm. He joined the Bar of New York and the National LGBT Law Association. He was serving in the National Guard in March 2018 he was involved in a fatal helicopter accident. Tripp Zanetis lived his life as a servant leader and he was proud to be a Carmel Greyhound.

Matt Hedges

Matt Hedges was born on April 1, 1990 in Rochester, N.Y. to parents Jim and Donna Hedges, later moving to Carmel. Matt was born into a sports-loving family, as his father played golf and his mother, basketball, both at Morehead State University. Additionally, his sister, Ashley, played soccer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Matt played club soccer as a member of the Indy Burn Eagles from 2002-2007, winning 5 state championships with them. Matt’s high school soccer career was nothing short of exceptional. In addition to making the Indiana State Team, he was an All-State defender as well as an all-conference performer. He helped lead Carmel to a State Runner-Up finish in 2005 and a State Championship title in 2006. During his time at Carmel he also earned 2 varsity soccer letters.

After graduating from Carmel in 2008, Matt headed off to Butler University as an undecided major to begin his college soccer career, where he played and started for 3 seasons, scoring 12 goals and compiling 72 shots as a defender, receiving numerous honors along the way. Matt transferred to the University of North Carolina in 2011 for his senior season, majoring in economics, where he scored 6 goals and had 1 assist, while starting all 20 games as a key piece of the Tarheel defense, which won that year’s NCAA Championship.

Matt was selected 11th overall in the first round of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas, going on to break the record for the most minutes played by a FC Dallas rookie that same year. In 2014 he was named team captain, the youngest in the club’s history, by head coach Oscar Pareja. Matt was awarded FC Dallas Defender of the Year for the club’s 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons. He was in the MLS Best XI classes of 2015 and 2016. He also has made 5 appearances as a member of the USMNT. Additionally, in 2016 he was named MLS Defender of the Year. And, just last year, he was named an MLS All-Star.

Matt continues to play for FC Dallas. When he isn’t playing soccer, he enjoys spending time with family and his wife, Bea.

Matt Shumway

From a young age Matt Shumway has displayed his talents in the arts. Growing up, he would often sketch out the animals that he saw after seeing them at the Indianapolis Zoo. Even in the fourth grade, he knew he wanted to work in animation, practicing and perfecting his drawings of Garfield many times over. In the 90’s, Matt fell in love with Disney films and the animation behind them, furthering his love for the craft.

While in high school, Matt was a trumpet player for the Marching Greyhounds, designing the section t-shirts for his group a few years in a row. After graduating from CHS in 1997, he headed off to the Savannah College of Arts and Design to continue his studies in animation. In 2000, he transferred to the ArtCenter College of Design, where he would graduate from 3 years later with Distinction.

After graduating from college, Matt would go on to work for top studios in the industry, namely Rhythm & Hues and Industrial Light & Magic. For ten years he worked diligently, immersing himself into the industry and becoming the best he could be in his field. Along the way, he worked on a number of award-winning projects, building quite the body of work.

Among these films include “Garfield: The Movie”, which was a special moment for Matt in his career, considering his past with Garfield from his youth. Additionally, he worked on “The Incredible Hulk”, “”The Chronicles of Narnia”, “Night at the Museum”, “Jurassic World” and the Academy Award-winning “The Golden Compass”, to name a few. The list of hit movies continues.

Matt and his team’s work on the film “The Revenant” earned them an Academy-Award nomination in 2016. Although they did not win the Oscar in the Best Visual Effects category, the film is still hailed as one for the ages. In addition to honors like this one, Matt has won several prestigious awards for his work, some of them being the Annie Award, the highest award in animation, and the Visual Effects Society Award for Best Character Animation.

Recently, Matt has been working in the Star Wars film franchise, notably on the wildly popular “The Last Jedi”, as well as the upcoming film which will follow the story of Han Solo. To say the least, Matt’s professional career is something to be proud of.

Despite all of these distinguished honors in his field, perhaps the most meaningful award to Matt which he has received is the Richard Saucedo Distinguished Alumni Award, presented to him in 2017. The award is given to a Carmel Marching alumnus, 10 years removed from CHS, who has demonstrated the concepts of the pursuit of excellence, dedication and commitment in their work, community and life.

When he’s not working or hitting red carpets and award shows around the industry, you can find Matt in San Francisco, where he resides with his wife, Amy, and their daughter, Lyla. This evening, we are so lucky to have Mr. Shumway in-attendance. Please join me in welcoming him to the stage to accept this great honor.

Chad Pittman

Chad Pittman graduated Carmel High School in 1992 and his achievements are very remarkable. After High school, Chad went on to West Point Military Academy in New York and focused his studies on physical sciences. After spending a few years in West Point, he came back to Indiana and studied at Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Shortly after he received his Bachelor’s degree, he deepened his education with a doctorate of Jurisprudence at Indiana University Bloomington in May 2002. About 10 years following his exemplary achievement, he was given the Distinguished Hoosier award.

Mr. Pittman has devoted a great deal of time and effort to community service. He served in the United States Army and was a commander in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was elected Indiana State delegate three times. He currently serves as a board member on many public organizations in which affects the general citizen, and many more make Mr. Pittman a modern day role model. Today he continues to serve as a major in the United States Army Reserves.

In addition to serving his country and his community, Mr. Pittman has done a great deal to grow Indiana’s economy. While serving as the Executive Vice-President for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation he recruited nearly 1,000 companies to Indiana that resulted in a projected 101,000 new jobs. He has also represented Indiana in hundreds of high- profile negotiations, including Chrysler Group LLC expansion, the CityWay project in downtown Indianapolis, and the Rolls-Royce engineering consolidation. With these projects it is estimated that Mr. Pittman has helped to bring in an estimated $17.5 billion to the state of Indiana.  

Mr. Pittman has earned many awards and distinctions including a bronze star for his courageous actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  H was also given the Distinguished Hoosier Award by then-Governor Mitch Daniels which is one of the highest honors given by the State of Indiana. In addition, he was named Indianapolis Business Journals 2013 class of Forty Under 40.

Currently, Mr. Pittman works as the Vice President at the Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization. There he manages the development and implementation of strategies to commercialize Purdue Technologies and serve as an engagement leader to the business community.

Rajeev Ram

Rajeev Ram began playing tennis at the age of 4. The son of two scientists, Rajeev grew up as a standout in both the classroom and on the court. He began his Carmel Tennis career with a bang, winning an individual state title his Freshman year (1999) and earning multiple All-State honors in each year of his time at CHS. After graduating in 2002, Rajeev went on to lead the University of Illinois to a perfect, 32-0 season and an NCAA team title. Rajeev was selected to the NCAA All-American Tennis Team. In 2004, Rajeev become a professional tennis player. During his career Rajeev has won 8 Association of Tennis Professionals World Tour doubles titles and 2 Association of Tennis Professionals World Tour singles titles. He was a doubles semifinalist at the U.S. Open in 2014. One of his greatest accomplishments was winning a silver medal in the 2016 Olympic Games for Mixed doubles with his partner Venus Williams.

Mr. Ram has not only had a successful professional career, but has been passionate about community service.  In 2010 he partnered with a local tennis organization to raise money for college scholarships and tennis programs. In 2014 he helped to form a nonprofit organization devoted to those causes called EntouRaj for Kids. Through this organization Mr. Ram has brought international tennis stars to the Midwest to play exhibition matches.  These stars include Andy Roddick, the Bryan brothers, James Blake, and Taylor Dent.  All proceeds of the events go to help fund college scholarships, tennis grants, and tennis programs that help young players cover the cost of playing tennis at a high level.

Currently, Mr. Ram is ranked #11 in the world for doubles. When he’s not traveling on the Association of Tennis Professionals Tour, he enjoys playing golf, hitting with juniors and talking with Indy-area tennis players and the University of Illinois tennis team. 

Josh McRoberts, Class of 2005

Joshua Scott McRoberts was born on February 28, 1987 in Indianapolis, Indiana. At a young age his love for basketball developed due to his father Tim, who played basketball at Butler University and also his maternal grandfather who ended up in the Butler and National Basketball Hall of Fame. He went to Carmel High School and played basketball all four years. His senior year at Carmel, he was selected for the 2005 McDonald’s All American basketball game. He was named the most valuable player, all American player of the year, and he was labeled the number one high school prospect for the power forward position. After his years at Carmel, he continued his basketball career at Duke University, only to declare for the NBA draft in 2007.
    

Josh was the 37th pick in the second round of the 2007 NBA draft. He was drafted by Portland Trailblazers and since then, he has played for a multitude of teams. Teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Bobcats, and he is currently playing on the Miami heat. He currently averages 3.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Josh has given back to his community by supporting the Carmel Men’s basketball team. He supports the team by reimbursing them every year with gear such as shoes and apparel. Additionally, during the NBA lockout in 2011, he came back to Carmel High and helped coach the team. Josh continues to support his community by giving out discounted Miami Heat tickets.

Jeanne Broderick Vana, Class of 1976

Jeanne Broderick Vana graduated in 1976 to become a leader in the agriculture. While she was still in high school she created a plant and landscape business that she ran during the summers. Taking Carmel’s food courses encouraged her love of food and plant life. She spent college at Vincennes and Purdue. After college she moved to Hawaii and took a job at Dole as the first female management trainee.

During her near 20 year career with Dole Hawaii she oversaw all phases of pineapple production in Hawaii and sent to work at its sugar company on Oahu. As sugar was phasing out she was responsible for the startup of Doles Diversified new crop ventures and for Sales and the commercial development of Doles Orchard & Tropical Flowers. She received Dole’s first NRCS land conservation award for her work.

Later in her career, she became a leader as Hawaii’s Agriculture transformed from large scale plantation farming to small scale family farms for reduced reliance of pesticides and today remains a strong voice for small farmers in the farm to table movement for the Islands food self suffiency and created Hawaii’s first privately owned farmers markets and is a founding vendor of Hawaii’s premier Farmers Markets.

Today, she operates a ten acre Tomato Vineyard and is Hawaii’s first farmer whose Big Wave Tomato brand and food products in Japan. Her many actions allowed her to support Hawaiian agriculture using knowledge that she gained at Carmel High School.

Jonathan F. Dickens, Class of 1997

Major Jonathan F. Dickens, MD, is a United States Army Medical Corps Officer and orthopedic surgeon at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland who specializes in orthopedics, sports medicine, and shoulder surgery. After graduating from CHS in 1997, Dickens received a “super-tier” ROTC scholarship to attend Davidson College before graduating with honors from IU Medical School and completing his residency at Walter Reed in 2013. As a resident during the apex of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Dickens spent countless hours performing complex surgeries on seriously war-wounded soldiers. Following his residency, Dickens completed the military’s premier sports medicine fellowship at the US Military Academy at West Point in 2014, working as a team physician at both West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy. He is also an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University and an Associate Director of Research at Walter Reed.

In his short career Major Dickens has received 28 academic recognitions, published 24 peer-reviewed journal articles, and presented 36 papers. His accolades include the Aircast Award, which is awarded to the top national researcher among military and civilian fellows within the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, the Michael Mazurek Award for promising early-career military orthopedic surgeons, an Outstanding Educator Award at Walter Reed, and the Norman T. Kirk Award for best original resident research project, as well as the Graves B. Erskine Award for Outstanding Resident at the Walter Reed National Military Center. Major Dickens will deploy in April to Afghanistan, where he will work with a Forward Surgical Team.

Janica Kyriacopoulos, Class of 1977

Janica Kyriacopoulos is a successful financial officer who graduated from Carmel High School in 1977. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in economics from Earlham College, Janica moved to Washington, D.C. and spent several years handling the book-keeping for a variety of private firms before entering the world of political finance in 1992. Kyriacopoulos advanced to become Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), managing the finances of the multi-million dollar operation that provides financial and technical support to candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives in all 50 states. In 2001 she created her own campaign reporting and finance company before being asked to serve as the CFO of Congressman Dick Gephardt’s 2004 presidential campaign. Following the 2004 primaries she served as Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the Senator John Kerry campaign, after which she returned back to her business, building a substantial client list of political campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2007 and 2008 she was a senior consultant for the presidential campaign of Barrack Obama, and upon his election she held the position of Deputy Chief Financial Officer for his presidential inauguration, helping to manage the $160 million event.

In addition to her extensive political work, Kyriacopoulos has also served as interim CFO of Planned Parenthood, volunteered as a teaching assistant at her local elementary school, and served as P.T.A. Committee Chair at her local high school. She currently resides in Maryland with her husband and two children.

Kara Oehler, Class of 1996

After graduating from Carmel High School in 1996, Kara Oehler received a B.S. in Sociology from Northern Arizona University in 2000. Her interest in radio that began with Carmel High School’s WHJE continued into her career as she became an independent producer for major national public radio shows. Through her work, Oehler has earned some of the highest honors in the field including Peabody, Third Coast Festival, and Edward R. Murrow awards. Exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art and Webbies also top her list of achievements.
She has also recently expanded her horizons to innovation in media technology and education with notable inventions such as Zeega, a platform for web-based multimedia editing, and her new app, Pop, that allows users to communicate with combinations of images, videos, and animated GIFs. Her work in media technology is well known not only throughout the nation, but also internationally, and as such, she has been invited to speak around the country, including lecturing at Harvard, Duke, and MIT. Oehler has also contributed immensely to the community through immersive projects that include Mapping Main Street, a platform for sharing pictures and stories from the thousands of Main Streets in the U.S., and the UnionDocs Collaborative, a center for documentary arts in Brooklyn that receives ongoing support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Scott Sander, Class of 1990

Scott Sander is an award-winning news anchor who graduated from Carmel High School in 1990 as a National Merit Scholar. Upon earning a degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, he began to pursue his dream of broadcasting, instilled in him from his days with Carmel’s own radio station, WHJE. He worked for a number of major networks across the country, before returning to Indianapolis in 2005 with WISH-TV, where he now hosts the morning Daybreak Show.
During his career as a news anchor, he has won the Illinois Associated Press Best News Writing award and received 9 Emmy awards, including being named Best News Anchor five years in a row. Throughout his career he has continued to give back, supporting several local charitable organizations including: Best Buddies, the Ronald McDonald house, the Indianapolis Fire Department, and the American Red Cross.

Dr. Terry L. Grimm, Class of 1983

Dr. Terry L. Grimm started his post-high school career at Purdue University where he obtained a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering in 1987. He continued his education at MIT, receiving his doctorate in Applied Plasma Physics/Nuclear Engineering in 1992. Twelve years after his graduation from MIT, his success caught the attention of the Cryogenic Society of America, who awarded him the Roger W. Boom Award due to his promising prospects in the field of cryogenic engineering. In 2005, Dr. Grimm founded Niowave, a worldwide leader in superconducting accelerating research. He has earned many accolades including the CSC Carl H. Rosner Entrepreneurship Award for Applied Superconductivity and the SBIR/STTR small business of the year from the Department of Energy.
In addition to his extraordinary contributions to science, Dr. Grimm has also given back to the community in many ways. Through his company, he has hosted a two-week long school that offers graduate level accelerator science courses that are often not offered at universities.  He has sponsored a 16 and under girls’ softball team and a science program, “F1 in Schools.” Dr. Grimm was also a Cub Scout Leader from 1996 to 2001.

James G. Inskeep, Class of 1992

Mr. Inskeep graduated from Carmel High School in 1992 and received a BA in Education from Purdue University in 1996. He returned to Carmel to begin his exemplary career as a teacher at Carmel Junior High School. Working there, he was nominated for Disney’s American Teacher Award, honoring creativity in teaching. In 2000, he transitioned into the position of assistant athletics director at Carmel High School and shortly after became the Director of Athletics, responsible for managing Carmel’s 20 varsity sports and the 1150 student athletes who compete each year. In this position he has led the school to innumerable accolades including 46 team state championships, distinction from CBS Max Preps as the #1 large school athletic program in the nation, and countless record breaking years for both individual sports and also for the school as a whole.
Inskeep also serves as the liaison with the IHSAA, Greyhound Booster Club, Carmel-Club Parks and Recreation, and Parent Support Groups and continually strives to give back to the community by donating his time and effort to Grace Community Church, Carmel Dad’s Club Board of Directors, and the Indiana Teaching Faculty for Athletic Administration Leadership Courses. Mr. Inskeep has always been willing to work behind the scenes to persistently push the boundaries of success for his school and his community.

Mr. Ted Allen, Class of 1983

Ted Allen began his career with Lerner Newspapers and then became a senior editor for the Chicago Magazine focusing on topics in the culinary world. In addition, Allen has been a contributing editor for Esquire Magazine, published articles in Bon Appetite, Epicurious, and Food Network, and nominated for two national magazine awards. Allen is currently a fixture on television networks like, Bravo, the Food Network, and PBS and has won an Emmy Award in 2004 for the show, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.
Allen’s exemplary community service includes recently hosting the “Taste of the NFL, Super Bowl 44” that benefited food banks in other NFL cities and serving as spokesperson for Dining Out for Life from 2007 to the present, which raises several million dollars for local HIV/AIDS service organizations.

Mr. Gregory Lentz, Class of 1977

Gregory Lentz was valedictorian for his class in 1977. Since then, Lentz has provided financial management services to Carmel for 30 years and is currently the Vice President/ Senior Loans Relationship Manager at First Merchants Bank.
Over the years, Lentz has immersed himself in the Carmel community through his beloved high school sport, baseball, and in service to organizations such as Carmel Dad’s Club, the Carmel Babe Ruth Baseball Organization, and the Indiana High School Athletic Association. One of Lentz’s most notable community services was his influential role in the relocation of the community Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball programs to Badger Park and Matt O’Malia Field in 1987.

Dr. Phillip Michael Cullison Bonner, Class of 1999

Doctor Phillip Michael Cullison Bonner graduated from Carmel High School in 1999.  Dr. Bonner then attended Indiana University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in microbiology with honors. From the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Dr. Bonner earned his Master of Science in Control of Infectious Diseases in 2004. He also attended the Medical School for International Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in collaboration with Columbia University Medical Center to become a Doctor of Medicine. Aside from his numerous qualifications, Dr. Bonner has performed an extensive amount of service work. Dr. Bonner has volunteered in over 40 countries throughout Africa with a focus on malaria vaccines. In addition, Dr. Bonner also has a widespread research resume ranging from intestinal parasitic infections in rural villages to isolation and characterization of novel genes found in breast cancer patients. Uncertainties and Research in Providing Medical Aid in Complex Disasters is just one of the many publications Dr. Bonner has created throughout his career. He has received many awards including the London School for Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Trust Grant, Emerging Infectious Disease Research Fellowship, and Indiana University Founder’s Day Highest Academic Achievement Award. Dr. Bonner now resides in Portland, Oregon.

Franklin Booth, Class of 1893

Described in a biography as “an artist for the ages” Franklin Booth was born in central Indiana in 1874 and graduated from what would become Carmel High School in 1893. This self-taught artist grew to be an expert in using pen on paper to copy engravings. His expert craftsmanship was often-times perceived to be an actual wood engraving. His ink studies were featured in such publications as Good Housekeeping, Harpers, McClure’s, Cosmopolitan, Redbook and Ladies Home Journal.  In 1925, a book of 60 Drawings was published dedicated to his works and was reprinted in 1978 as The Art of Franklin Booth and in 2004 a new work entitled Franklin Booth-Painter with a Pen was issued by Flesk Publications.

Todd Young, Class of 1990

Todd Young, a father of four, graduated from Carmel High School in the spring of 1990 and went on to graduate from the United States Naval Academy, cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. With a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago, Mr. Young was elected into the United States House of Representatives in November, 2010. Earlier in his career Mr. Young was commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps and in 1996, he became a Naval Intelligence Officer where he was entrusted with top secret security clearance. In 2000, Mr. Young was honorably discharged from active duty as a Captain.  In 2001, he received a Master of Arts degree from the University of London’s Institute of United States Studies and began working for the Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C. After being a management consultant of Crowe Chizek and Company. Mr. Young received his law degree from Indiana University in 2006 and then worked in Orange County as a deputy prosecutor.  Even with all the degrees and accomplishments Mr. Young has earned, he always gave back to the community.  Mr. Young volunteered with Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, Indiana Sports Corporation, aided with homeless veterans, the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, Crisis Pregnancy Center, American Legion, and AMVETS. Being a Representative, Mr. Young now resides in Washington D.C., as well as Bloomington, Indiana.

Mark Hartman, Class of 1974

Mark Hartman graduated from Carmel in 1974. After high school, he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and physics. Mr. Hartman is currently the president of Hartman Associates Inc. Mr. Hartman has been a member of the Carmel Clay Commerce for 25 years. Mr. Hartman began volunteering for the Carmel Dad's Club in 1990. Mr. Hartman served as board member and eventually became the president of the organization in 2007. He served as a member of the Carmel Clay School Board from 1996 to 2006 and was board president from 2000-2005.

Dr. Nate Hinerman, Class of 1990

Nate Hinerman, PhD graduated from Carmel High School in 1990. Dr. Hinerman went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts with a triple major in Philosophy, English Literature, and Spanish from Asbury College. Dr. Hinerman continued his education at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, and has since received advanced degrees from many prestigious schools. Dr. Hinerman is currently a professor in Theology and Religious Studies at the University of San Francisco, and in Liberal Studies at Golden Gate University. Dr. Hinerman also volunteers each week on the bereavement service of local community hospice as a grief counselor, and Chairs of the San Francisco Bay Area End of Life Network.

Rue Hinshaw,Class of 1910

Rue Hinshaw was born on a west Carmel farm in 1891 and graduated from Carmel High School in 1910. He served as a member of the Carmel Clay Township Board, co-founded the Carmel American Legion Post, helped establish Carmel's irst Boy Scout Troop and enjoyed sharing experiences with 4th grade history classes.

Fred Swift,Class of 1960

Fred Swift spent most of his life in Carmel, graduating in 1960. He earned a journalism degree from Franklin College, served as Editor of the Noblesville Daily Ledger, assistant director of the Indiana Public Employees Association, Carmel Clay Township Board and Carmel City Council.

Tim Padgett, Class of 1980

Padgett is the bureau chief for Time magazine's Miami and Latin American divisions and is an award winning journalist. He is holds a master's degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. His list of accomplishments is quite extensive and shows his care and support for the community.

Dr. Scott Pittman, Class of 1977

Pittman is a practicing surgeon at St. Vincent Hospital Carmel. He is very involved in the Carmel community through his church and the Carmel lacrosse program. As a former athlete, musician and Young Life member, he continues his passion to save lives by visiting third world countries for medical missions.

Avriel Christie Shull, Class of 1947

Shull attended Butler University and the John Herron School of Art. A woman of high energy and imagination, she became an architectural designer, builder and interior decorator. Her home design plans have been sold across the United States and Canada.

Timothy Hodges, Class of 1979

Hodges was a member of the Carmel state championship football team. He then went on to study biology at Wabash College. Dr. Hodges has received a PhD In pharmacology and is also a practicing medical doctor. He is a resident of Carmel and is a proud father of four.

Howard Hunt, Class of 1926

Hunt was an active member in the Gray Friends Church, member of the Carmel Library Board and a former Carmel Clay School Board member. He was characterized as a man of true common sense with respect to his decision making in the community, especially with regard to the Carmel Clay Schools

Jim Steckley, Class of 1958

Steckley was a member of the all-county football team. After graduating, he served two years in the Navy as a payroll clerk. He operated his own restaurants and has catered many high school events after opening the Oak Hill Mansion in 1992. Among numerous other donations, he has also supplied WHJE with radio equipment so the radio is now available through the Internet.

Jeffrey Wood, Class of 1982

Maj. Jeffrey I. Wood flies an F16D jet with the elite Air Force Thunderbirds. He holds a bachelor’s degree in botany and a master’s in forestry. He is the father of three children and owns Wood Tree Farm in Zionsville.

Mark Herrmann, Class of 1977

The associate director of education programs for the NCAA in Indianapolis, Mark was the mental attitude award winner for basketball and an all-America quarterback at Purdue University. He has served as a board member on several community foundations.

Oliver Brown Brunner, Class of 1909

A Carmel High School teacher for 50 years, Brunner started the first bookstore from the trunk of her car and the first cafeteria, using her home economics teaching skills to do so.

Jennifer Burman, Class of 1988

A co-valedictorian and Girls State delegate, she received the Meritorious Award from the U.S. Army and the James J. Leonard Award for Excellence in Teaching Internal Medicine at Northwestern University.

John "Doc" O'Neal, Class of 1972

A Carmel Dads Club volunteer and coach for 15, years, he served on the PGA Executive Committee at Crooked Stick and president of the Carmel Dads Club. He has also volunteered for numerous civic organizations.

Jack Edwards, Class of 1947

A quintessential community minded individual, his accomplishments include serving as a U.S. Naval Reservist, co-founder of Home Place Library, a co-author and publisher of History: A View of Home Place, Indiana.

Dr. Tom Schmidt, Class of 1974

A medical doctor at St. Vincent's breast cancer treatment program, Dr. Schmidt has saved countless lives by being the first surgical breast oncologist in Indiana. He continues to show passion for his work and family while demonstrating leadership in the community.

Todd Witsken (deceased), Class of 1982

Witsken was an all-state and all-America CHS tennis player who went on to play in the professional ranks that included competing at Wimbledon. He started tennis camps for children and was a loving father and husband.

Paul Estridge Jr., Class of 1976

Founder and president of the Estridge Group, he won the Nation Housing Quality Award in 1998 and was featured in Professional Builder magazine and the National Association of Home Builders in 1995. He was named the Entrepreneur of the Year in 1994 and Builder of the Year in 1989. The Indianapolis Business Journal included him in its “40 under 40” listing.

William Silvers, M.D, Class of 1967

Initiated into Phi Beta Kappa in 1970 at Indiana University, he is known worldwide for his writings and expertise in the areas of allergy and immunology. Dr. Silvers works with medical societies and medical centers around the country. He is widely published and also volunteers with the Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts of America.

Dr. Roger Bowen, Class of 1965

Dr. Brown teaches, lectures and writes for educational institutes. He was the president of State University of New York at New Paltz. He served as a professor and chair of government at Colby College and is the president of the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Oliver Earl Hinshaw, Class of 1903

A Carmel High School teacher, coach and principal, he was also served as the superintendent of the Clay Delaware School system from 1904 to 1924. He was credited with the design and supervision of the new Carmel High School in 1921. He selected the Greyhound to be the school mascot and was the superintendent of the Noblesville Schools in the 1940s.

Steve Inskeep, Class of 1986

Steve is a Congressional correspondent and reporter for National Public Radio and was awarded the Pew Fellowship for Journalism in 1999. He has covered the Florida election dispute, international air disasters and the war in Afghanistan.

Sarah Litzsinger, Class of 1990

She played the lead in “Les Miserables” and “Beauty and the Beast” on Broadway. She also has appeared on television in “Ed” and “Law and Order” and on Comedy Central. Litzsinger also volunteers for organizations that offer opportunities for children to become involved in and attend Broadway productions.

Eric Clark, Class of 1953