Copeland, Yep Earn Big Ten Medal of Honor

06/27/2025

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Big Ten Conference celebrates its 111th class of recipients who earned the Big Ten Medal of Honor from their respective institutions during the 2024-25 academic year. Established in 1915, the Big Ten Medal of Honor is the conference’s most prestigious award. It was the first award in intercollegiate athletics to demonstrate support for the educational emphasis placed on athletics.

The Big Ten Medal of Honor is awarded to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each member institution who has demonstrated excellence on and off the field throughout their collegiate career. This year’s class comprised student-athletes from 15 sports.

Big Ten schools currently feature more than 11,000 student-athletes, but only 36 earn the award on an annual basis. Since the Big Ten Medal of Honor was first presented more than a century ago, just over 1,680 student-athletes have earned this unique distinction. Those names are on permanent display at the Big Ten Office in Rosemont.

The 111th Big Ten Medal of Honor class includes Indiana softball’s Brianna Copeland and Indiana swimming and diving’s Jassen Yep.

Brianna Copeland, Softball

Brianna Copeland was a four-year standout for the Hoosiers, and her senior campaign was her best.

The Pelham, Alabama, native hit .331 with 57 hits, 12 doubles, 13 home runs and 40 RBIs. She also recorded a .628 slugging percentage and a .440 on-base percentage. In the circle, she posted an 18-10 record while throwing 148 strikeouts and holding opposing batters to a .274 batting average.

Copeland was recognized as a 2025 NFCA third-team All-American, marking the second time she received the honor, as well as being named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team, NFCA All-Region First Team. She also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2024 and 2025 and was an Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete in 2023.

Through Copeland’s outstanding play, she helped elevate the standards of Indiana softball, leading the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in program history from 2023-25.

Jassen Yep, Swimming and Diving

Jassen Yep capped his collegiate career with one of the most special moments of the 2024-25 NCAA swimming and diving season. The senior from Saratoga, California, became NCAA Champion in the 200-yard breaststroke with the third-fastest time ever, going 1:48.30.

Prior to this season, Yep had never gone under 1:50 in the event. His best time coming into college was a 1:57.42. Yep is another “Breaststroke U” great, having also won the 200 breast Big Ten title in 2024.

In his five-year collegiate career, Yep helped Indiana win four consecutive Big Ten Championships (2022-25), and the Hoosiers finished sixth or better nationally all five seasons – including third at the 2025 NCAA Championships.

Yep’s character platformed his swimming success, proving himself a leader and scholar. He served as a captain for the 2025 team and, in 2024, won the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. Academically, Yep earned both Academic All-Big Ten and CSCAA Scholar All-America honors each of the four years he was eligible.

Breaking down barriers: Why Indiana’s pain management policies inadvertently favor addiction

06/27/2025

0

By Jim Merritt, Special to TheStatehouseFile.com
During my 30 years in the Indiana Senate, I witnessed numerous pieces of legislation aimed at toughening our drug policies and penalties.

In my final years, I authored a series of bills that focused on assisting those struggling with addiction. This occurred at the height of the opioid crisis.

I began to change my perspective when I understood more clearly that addiction is a disease, not a character flaw. The opioid crisis transformed how I view addiction and those affected by it.

The mothers, fathers, grandparents, and teenagers who became addicted to opioids did not meet a dealer in a back alley; instead, they went to a pharmacy and filled a legal prescription for opioid-based pain medication. Unknowingly, they took the medication and developed an addiction.

Then the addiction took control, ruining their lives, families, careers, and futures. Today, we have a greater understanding of the addictive nature of opioids, which has helped to reduce prescriptions, yet opioids remain the only treatment option available for some conditions. Thankfully, more and more non-opioid pain relievers have been approved by the FDA and are entering the market.

Indiana has made remarkable progress in reducing overdose deaths. CDC data shows that our fatal drug overdoses dropped by 17% from 2022 to 2023, marking the sixth largest decrease nationwide.

However, thousands of Hoosiers continue to die, with preliminary data indicating 2,089 drug-related deaths in 2023, primarily due to opioids. Indiana has confronted opioid addiction directly, and Gov. Mike Braun, along with FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob, has demonstrated true leadership in tackling opioid abuse.

Still, there is one more step they can take to revise policies that may be inadvertently guiding doctors toward prescribing opioids when alternative treatments are available.

There is an administrative reality that many policymakers are likely unaware of currently.

Our bureaucratic system directs doctors to prescribe opioids. How? A premium is placed on our physicians’ time as they strive to see more patients. Anything that takes up that valuable time and isn’t related to healing is considered wasted, and our current system rewards physicians by prioritizing efficiency. The truth is that safer non-opioid alternatives require more insurance approvals and prior authorization, and there’s still a chance they won’t be approved, leaving the patient to continue suffering pain.

When a patient is in pain, medical professionals must navigate numerous obstacles to prescribe safer non-opioid medications, yet they can prescribe opioids with minimal paperwork.

Guess which one they will choose?

This isn’t a matter of doctors being lazy; it reflects the current reality of practicing medicine, where administrative tasks take up a considerable amount of time and can hinder patients from receiving the treatment they need.

Other states are addressing this problem. Tennessee and Georgia have successfully implemented policies that expand access to non-opioid pain management options by reducing administrative barriers.

These states recognized that insurance policies shouldn’t inadvertently promote opioid use, and they’ve taken meaningful steps to level the playing field. Indiana should do the same.

Earlier this year, the Indiana General Assembly had brief discussions to require equal treatment of non-opioids and opioids in both Medicaid and commercial insurance plans. Unfortunately, the discussion never reached legislative consideration.

Thankfully, we don’t have to wait until the legislature convenes again in January. Gov. Braun and Secretary Roob can make the administrative changes through executive power to eliminate or reduce prior authorization requirements for FDA-approved non-opioid pain treatments, streamline the approval process for evidence-based alternatives, and bring non-opioid options in parity with opioid options in terms of administrative burden.

Instead of trying to break the opioid addiction cycle after a person becomes addicted, we need to focus on preventing it from happening in the first place. By removing barriers to safer, non-addictive alternatives, we can encourage doctors to make decisions based on their medical training, not what they think insurance will accept.

The path ahead is clear. With focused administrative adjustments, Indiana could serve as a model for aligning insurance policies with public health objectives.

We’ve demonstrated our ability to reduce overdose deaths.

Now, let’s ensure we’re not unintentionally creating new addictions through well-meaning but misguided insurance barriers. Every patient deserves access to the safest and most effective pain management options, without bureaucratic hurdles obstructing their path.

Jim Merritt is a former Republican member of the Indiana Senate.

Tech Evansville Announces Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program with Carver Community Center

06/27/2025

0

Evansville, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College Evansville today announced a first-of-its-kind Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program in early childhood education with employer partner Carver Community Organization.

Ivy Tech’s registered apprenticeship program is designed to strengthen Indiana’s early care and education workforce by expanding high-quality post-secondary education and training options for early childhood education professionals.

Daniela Vidal, chancellor of Ivy Tech Evansville, said the flexibility of this program and the accelerated pathway lends itself to many distinct types of offerings for both professionals in the field and those who have no prior training or work experience. “We look forward to rolling this out in a variety of formats over the next several months, as we seek to grow the skills of early childhood education professionals throughout the region.”

As an example, this summer, Ivy Tech is offering a pilot skills training program in early childhood education, which can cross walk into credit-bearing classes for those who would like to earn a credential or degree, as well as the Carver apprenticeship program. There will be another announcement forthcoming of a program for high school students and others, Vidal said.

Kelli Servizzi, executive director of early childhood pathways and initiatives with Ivy Tech, said the facets of having on-the-job training, mentors, and classroom education are essential to the success of this program. “The one-year program combines a flexible classroom schedule with real-world application of concepts in 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning hours under the supervision of an experienced mentor, all while apprentices are earning a wage.

“In strategic partnership with the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (INAEYC) to connect apprentices with resources and funding, Ivy Tech’s apprenticeship program strengthens Indiana’s early childhood workforce and improves the quality of the state’s early childhood education sector by retaining talented and dedicated early care and education professionals,” she added.

“The early childhood education adult-based apprenticeship is offered in partnership with TEACH Early Childhood Indiana®, US Department of Labor, and local early childhood providers,” said Andrea Boberg, program chair at Ivy Tech Evansville. “We are working together to provide opportunities for local providers and staff to increase their professional skills and knowledge along with wages and overall program quality.”

Students participating in this program will earn high-quality credentials, including:

Classroom Support Specialist micro-credential

Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate from the Council for Professional Recognition
Ivy Tech Early Childhood certificate
Technical certificate in Early Childhood Education
U.S. Department of Labor Journeyperson certificate

INAEYC and TEACH Early Childhood Indiana® said they are proud to announce their support of this partnership with Carver Community Organization’s registered apprenticeship cohort.

“Investing in early childhood educators means investing in the future of our communities,” said Hanan Osman, executive director of INAEYC. “By supporting this apprenticeship program, we are helping individuals build rewarding careers in early childhood education while addressing the growing demand for qualified professionals in the field.” INAEYC/TEACH Early Childhood® Indiana will help connect apprentices with valuable resources and funding assistance, Osman added.

Deiona Clayton, executive director of the Carver Community Organization, said, “Carver is interested in the early childhood apprenticeship program with Ivy Tech because it aligns with our mission to provide unique community centered programs.

“Well-trained, culturally competent early childhood educators are in high demand. This apprenticeship will create a pipeline of qualified staff which will support the community’s childcare needs. Ivy Tech is a trusted source of higher education that will ensure the training meets our state and national standards for childcare programs.”

Clayton said that Carver staff earning their Child Development Associate credential while working, will open doors for promotions and wage increases. “This professional growth and advancement will help them serve as mentors and gain leadership experience within the center,” Clayton said. “For the children we serve this will improve the quality of teaching in the classroom that directly impacts their school readiness and lifetime success.”

Carver’s program meets one night a week at the Center’s offices and began on June 11. Apprentices will complete the six Ivy Tech courses and work earning on-the-job training. They will also receive three wage increases as they progress. Following completion of their certificates, students can also continue to earn a technical certificate or associate degree at Ivy Tech, as well as transfer credits to a bachelor’s degree program at a four-year college or university.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Building America grant, one of the funders of this initiative, aims to expand and modernize registered apprenticeships by increasing participation, diversifying industries, and improving access to underserved communities. Ongoing expansion of the program is part of Ivy Tech’s ongoing commitment to more than double the number of professionals it graduates in this field over the next three years. The College’s goal is to graduate 1,950 individuals annually with industry-recognized credentials and degrees.

Governor Braun Forms Strategic Energy Growth Task Force to Meet New Energy Demands Reliably and Affordably

06/27/2025

0

INDIANAPOLIS – To meet the increasing energy demands of the modern economy, Governor Mike Braun today announced he is creating a Strategic Energy Growth Task Force to create an energy growth plan for Indiana to meet the state’s accelerating demand for reliable, affordable energy.

“Indiana’s economy is growing, and we need new solutions to meet this accelerating energy demand reliably and affordably. My new Strategic Energy Growth Task Force will take an all-of-the-above approach to meet the electricity demands of our growing economy in the short-run, and plan for Indiana to become an energy export state and national leader in nuclear energy for the long-run – all with a focus on reliability and affordability for Hoosiers.” – Governor Mike Braun

Demand for electricity in Indiana is now accelerating rapidly with the reshoring of manufacturing, data centers for artificial intelligence, and consumer electrification all contributing to the increase.

Governor Mike Braun is taking action to ensure that Indiana’s economic growth and new job opportunities for Hoosiers are not held back by a lack of energy generation and transmission infrastructure.

The Strategic Energy Growth Task Force will create an energy growth plan for Indiana, focused on these priorities:

Energy reliability and affordability to meet power needs and economic development opportunities now and into the future
Making the State of Indiana an energy export state
Maintaining existing energy generation and developing new generation
Deploying nuclear energy

The plan created by the Task Force will provide a short-term 5-year vision as well as a 20-year outlook, focused on four key objectives:

DEVELOPMENT — Developing Indiana’s energy sector to meet current and future demand
AFFORDABILITY — Ensuring energy is affordable for Hoosiers
DIVERSIFICATION — Taking an “All-of-the-Above” approach to energy policy
COLLABORATION — Fostering collaboration and innovation between the state and the private sector to deploy technology to meet the unique opportunities that lie ahead with unprecedented demand and development.

The Strategic Energy Growth Task Force will engage utilities and other stakeholders to foster cooperation and align strategic plans to meet the state’s electricity growth targets.

The Task Force will also analyze the drivers of electricity price and propose actionable solutions to ensure future energy costs are affordable for Hoosiers.

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

06/27/2025

0

GANT, ANTONIO MICHAEL (B/M)

36

WOOD DR , HENDERSON KY

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE- POSSESS COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG

GAMBLE, CHRISTOPHER BLAKE (B/M)

26

OSSI ST, EVANSVILLE IN

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- ASSISTING A CRIMINAL

CORRECTION- SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION VIOLATION

FAMILY OFFENSE- CONTRIBUTING TO DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR

PAROLE VIOLATION

FALSE REPORTING; FALSE INFORMING

OTHER AGENCIES CHARGES

SEALES-PORTEE, AVANTIA SOMARI (B/F)

20

HONEYLARK LN, HENDERSON KY

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- FAIL TO APPEAR

WASHINGTON, LAUWRENCE TERRELL (B/M)

37

SE THIRD ST, EVANSVILLE IN

PETITION TO REVOKE PROBATION

DICKERSON, FLOYD ANTONIO JR (B/M)

24

BEECH DRIVE, EVANSVILLE IN

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- FAIL TO APPEAR

SCHNITZLER, LEONARD ALLEN JR (W/M)

49

SPARTAN DR , EVANSVILLE IN

CHILD SUPPORT – WRIT OF ATTACHMENT

DARNELL, DONNA LEE (W/F)

62

OSSI ST, EVANSVILLE IN

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- FAIL TO APPEAR

HEMMINGS, MICHAEL DOUGLAS (W/M)

55

WESTBROOK DR, EVANSVILLE IN

TREATMENT COURT FILED PTR

FELLOWS, KEYVAN SHAMAAL (B/M)

34

S GOVERNOR ST, EVANSVILLE IN

PAROLE VIOLATION

ROACH, TIMOTHY WAYNE (B/M)

63

BAKER AVE, EVANSVILLE IN

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT

BARNETT, ANDRE MARQUALE (B/M)

54

CORNERSTONE PT, EVANSVILLE IN

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE- POSSESSION MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH/

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT L6

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- FAIL TO APPEAR

PARSON, ANDRE MAURICE (B/M)

43

MADISON AVE, EVANSVILLE IN

VCCC FILED PTR

THOMAS, BOBBIE JEAN (B/F)

55

OSSI ST , EVANSVILLE IN

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE- PUBLIC INTOXICATION BY ALCOHOL [BM]

PUBLIC INDECENCY- INDECENT EXPOSURE

FALSE REPORTING; FALSE INFORMING

PETITION TO REVOKE PROBATION

HANNA, JOHN JOSEPH (W/M)

64

OSSI, EVANSVILLE IN

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- FAIL TO APPEAR

BOROM, RODNEY EMMEL (B/M)

63

OSSI ST, EVANSVILLE IN

BATTERY- BODILY INJURY – MISDEMEANOR

SEARS, KORTLEN JAMES (B/M)

20

WEDEKING AVE, EVANSVILLE IN

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT L6

BLYTHE, JILL LESLIE (W/F)

71

BELMONT DR, EVANSVILLE IN

BATTERY- DOMESTIC

VENTIMIGLIA, JOSEPH LOUIS (W/M)

67

LINE STREET, EVANSVILLE IN

FALSE REPORTING; FALSE INFORMING

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- FAIL TO APPEAR

OTHER AGENCIES CHARGES

SMITH, MIQUIS ARNESS (B/M)

24

E OREGON ST, EVANSVILLE IN

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT L6

CLAY, JORDAN NMN (B/M)

24

GLENWOOD TRAIL, GOLDSBORO NC

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT

GARRETT, DERRICK EARL (W/M)

63

AUSTIN AVE, EVANSVILLE IN

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE- POSSESSION MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH/

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT

CONNELLY, KELEIGH SHEA (W/F)

49

E OREGON ST, EVANSVILLE IN

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- FAIL TO APPEAR

CRUZ SALINAS, DIANA LAURA (U/F)

26

S GREEN RIVER RD , EVANSVILLE IN

MOTOR VEHICLE- OPERATING WITHOUT EVER OBTAINING LICENSE

CLINE, SERENITY FAITH (W/F)

20

S SAINT JAMES BLVD, EVANSVILLE IN

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION- FAIL TO APPEAR

HORSLEY, JERMEL NMN (B/M)

39

JOHNSON ST, GARY IN

OTHER AGENCIES CHARGES

MILLER, RONALD WAYNE (W/M)

58

OSSI ST, EVANSVILLE IN

CRIMINAL TRESPASS

ATKINSON, ALEC AUSTIN (W/M)

33

OSSI ST, EVANSVILLE IN

BATTERY- DOMESTIC

STRANGULATION

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF [BM]

OTHER AGENCIES CHARGES

The report is accessible at the following address:

Celebrate Freedom By Donating Blood ahead of Independence Day

06/27/2025

0

Evansville, Ind., (June 26, 2025) — As fireworks light up the sky this Fourth of July, you can be a burst of light for patients in need. The community is invited to donate blood at the Celebrate Freedom Donorama onThursday, July 3 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Southwest Chapter office located at 29 South Stockwell Road in Evansville.

Each day, the American Red Cross must collect more than 12,000 blood donations for patients at hospitals nationwide. The summer months can be a challenging time to collect blood donations, as donors are busy with travel plans and events. The increased risk of severe summer weather can also quickly impact the ability to collect blood donations. Donors of all blood types are encouraged to make an appointment to give blood to help ensure patients never have to wait for vital care.

Celebrate Freedom Donorama

Thursday, July 3

6 a.m. – 4 p.m.

American Red Cross Indiana Region Southwest Chapter Office

29 South Stockwell Road

Evansville, IN 47714

Make an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org and use sponsor code “CELEBRATEFREEDOM.” You can also call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App to schedule an appointment.

Thank you to the team at WFIE 14 News for their partnership and support in raising awareness about the importance of blood donation.

Come to give blood at select drives for a ticket to a Six Flags theme park of your choice, while supplies last! For more information, visit RedCross.org/2025SixFlagsDrives. Additionally, those who come to give July 1-14, 2025, will receive a customizable pair of Red Cross x goodr sunglasses, while supplies last. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/goodr.

USI English faculty member receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award

06/27/2025

0

Dr. Amy Montz, University of Southern Indiana Professor of English, has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to conduct research in Manchester, United Kingdom, focusing on the nineteenth-century author Elizabeth Gaskell, during the 2025–26 academic year. She is the first USI faculty member to receive this honor since Dr. Mehmet Kocakulah, USI Professor Emeritus of Accounting, who was selected for the 2016–17 academic year.

Montz began her application in March 2024 and spent most of the summer working on the requested documents (a personal statement, a list of reference works, individual questions outside the personal statement and a sample syllabi).

After much work and several rounds of revisions, she submitted her application in September. In December, she was short-listed for the award, and in January, had an interview with the U.S.-UK Fulbright Commission where they asked questions about her project and goals for living in England. Montz received her decision letter in May.

As a recipient, Montz will write Two Lived Lives: An Autobiographical Survey of Elizabeth Gaskell and Her Works, an examination of Gaskell’s novels, short stories, letters, papers, Victorian textiles, fashions and ephemera. Her publication will be complemented by an examination of current-day responses to Gaskell, such as the BBC’s productions of North and South and Cranford.

Over a six-month residency, Montz will be affiliated with the University of Manchester, working in the renowned John Rylands Library, which houses the Elizabeth Gaskell Collection. Her research will delve into Gaskell’s novels and personal archives, with a particular emphasis on gender, class and nationalism.

“Receiving this Fulbright is the culmination of a career-long dream,” said Montz, who has studied Gaskell’s work for over a decade. “It’s an extraordinary opportunity to immerse myself in Gaskell’s world, both through the archives and through direct engagement with the places she lived and wrote about.”

While in Manchester, she will also engage with undergraduate and graduate students at the university through guest lectures and mentoring, contributing to the academic community through knowledge exchange and scholarly dialogue.

Additionally, she will collaborate with the Elizabeth Gaskell House, a preserved historic site that was Gaskell’s home in Manchester, further enriching the research through site-specific inquiry and public humanities outreach.

“None of this would be possible without the support of Dr. Oana Popescu-Sandu, Chair of English; Dr. Del Doughty, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts; Dr. Kristalyn Shefveland, Assistant Dean of the College of Liberal Arts; Dr. Shelly Blunt, Provost; the University at large, and, of course, my family,” says Montz. “While I am nervous about leaving my family and my country for six months, I’m also so excited to see what this project and adventure brings.”

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the Program, which operates in over 160 countries worldwide.

In the United States, the Institute of International Education implements the Fulbright U.S. Student and U.S. Scholar Programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit https://fulbrightprogram.org.

BURTON RESPONDS TO SUMMER STUDY COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENT, VOWS TO KEEP PRESSURE ON UTILITY COSTS

06/27/2025

0

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) issued the following statement on yesterday’s announcement of 2025 interim summer study committee topics for the Indiana General Assembly:

“Yesterday’s announcement was a mixed moment. While I’m proud of the work we’ve done to raise the issue of soaring utility rates in Southwest Indiana, I’m disappointed that our bipartisan effort to formally study this crucial topic was not selected.

“Still, this is far from the end of the road. I’m pushing to serve on the Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications study committee because our region, and the state as a whole, deserves answers, action and a plan forward. I remain committed to ensuring that Southwest Indiana has a voice at the table.

“In my first legislative session, I worked hard to build relationships and credibility while envisioning a future for Indiana that welcomes all forms of energy aligned with our state’s five core pillars for energy: reliability, resilience, stability, affordability and environmental sustainability.

“As always, I will continue to advocate for transparency, affordability and progress, and to make sure that the concerns of Southwest Indiana are heard and addressed.”

The resolution from Wednesday’s Legislative Council meeting outlining the assigned topics can be foundhere.

Hype Hop Dance Fitness Hosts Movin’ for Mental Health on June 28

06/27/2025

0

Event takes place at Bosse Field with proceeds benefiting Youth First

EVANSVILLE, IN – The community is invited on Saturday, June 28 to Movin’ for Mental Health, a one-hour group exercise class presented by Hype Hop Dance Fitness. This high-energy, interactive, calorie-scorching dance party takes place at Bosse Field, and proceeds will benefit Youth First’s mission to transform lives and improve communities by strengthening youth and families.

Registration on-site begins at 10 am CT, and the event runs from 10:30-11:30 am CT. Cost is $10 for adults; kids are free (18 and under). Registration includes the Hype Hop class and a Youth First t-shirt. Vendor booths and concessions will be on-site.

Hype Hop Dance Fitness is celebrating its one-year anniversary with this spectacular community event in collaboration with Youth First. Promotions for the event kicked off in May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. Together, Hype Hop and Youth First want to raise awareness of mental health issues and reduce the stigma of seeking help. The event is family-friendly and open to the public.

Hype Hop Creator & CEO Makenzie Hart says, “We are excited to be celebrating our one-year anniversary and raising awareness for mental health. Physical health and mental health go hand in hand. Youth First is committed to helping students and families build healthy mindsets, and Hype Hop is committed to people being confident in their skin and having an absolute blast while moving their bodies. With this collaboration, we hope to see the entire community getting hype together!”

TOBYMAC’S HEAVEN ON MY MIND: START TO FINISH LIVE AT AIKEN THEATRE!

06/27/2025

0

TICKETS ON SALE

Evansville, IN – January 23, 2025 – Awakening Events and Old National Events Plaza announce TOBYMAC’s HEAVON ON MY MIND: START TO FINISH will visit Evansville on Sunday, November 11, 2025.

This fall, TOBYMAC is trading arenas for something more personal — just 8 cities, 8 nights, and 1 unforgettable experience. Heaven on My Mind: Start to Finish LIVE brings the full album to life, played in order the way it was written: raw, honest, and all heart. It is a rare chance to hear the story behind the songs in a setting that feels more like a conversation than a concert. Seats are limited so grab your tickets before they are gone! Lineup subject to change.

For more information about TOBYMAC visit https://tobymac.com.

Ticket Information:

What: TOBYMAC Heaven on My Mind: Start to Finish LIVE

When: Sunday, November 9th, 2025, 7:00 pm

Where: Old National Events Plaza | 715 Locust Street | Evansville, IN 47708

Tickets: Starting at $19.75 plus applicable fees and taxes

Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com.