Scholarly

Thumbs-up to Seymour High School senior Nastya Yakovlyeva for being named a Wells Scholar. Named in honor of Herman B Wells, Indiana University’s 11th chancellor who died in the spring of 2000, Wells scholars are selected solely on merit and receive the full cost of attendance at Indiana University in Bloomington for four years of undergraduate studies. Nearly 600 students have been named Wells Scholars since the first class enrolled in 1990.

Celebrating service

Thumbs-up to Clyde Davidson, who has spent the past 35 years working with inmates at the Jackson County Jail. A related thumbs-up to his co-workers who respect the 76-year-old Crothersville man’s service enough to raise the funds to buy him a new vehicle. Davidson has helped many of the jailers, including Brent Terry who came up with the idea of getting car for Davidson, learn the ropes when they first started working at the jail.

Signature program

Thumbs-up to Jan Engel of Seymour for creating Special Signature Saturday, a program that allows children with special needs to participate in crafts, play games, interact with special guests and enjoy snacks in a bully-free zone. A related thumbs-up to the Boys and Girls Club of Seymour for providing a safe place for the program, which was held Dec. 3 and Jan. 7, and also will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Feb. 4, March 4, April 1 and May 6. The program is open to all children and young adults with special needs.

Helping others

Thumbs-up to those who participated in a Jackson County United Way program to increase awareness of My Way Pre-K and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. The volunteers, who included members of Boy Scout Trooper 510 from Brownstown and Working Our Dreams 4-H Club, canvassed certain areas of the county on Monday, which was Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A similar thumbs-up goes to Seymour attorney Mark Risser and the attorneys who answered legal questions and offered other information free of charge on Monday through the annual Talk to a Lawyer Today program sponsored the Indiana State Bar Association.