Hamilton Southeastern Schools will celebrate 1,754 graduates this week as Fishers High School and Hamilton Southeastern High School hold commencement ceremonies at the Fishers Event Center.

For the second consecutive year, both high schools will hold graduation at the Fishers Event Center, giving graduates and their families a shared community venue to mark the milestone.

Fishers High School will hold its commencement ceremony Wednesday, June 3, at 7 p.m. Hamilton Southeastern High School will follow Thursday, June 4, at 7 p.m.

District officials say the Class of 2026 leaves Hamilton Southeastern Schools with a strong record of academic achievement and preparation for the next step after high school.

Combined data from the two high schools shows a projected graduation rate of 99 percent, with an average GPA of 3.5. One in four graduates earned a GPA of 4.0 or higher.

The district reports that 91 percent of graduates plan to pursue post-secondary education, while 9 percent plan to enter the workforce or military. Students in the Class of 2026 also earned 380 industry certifications.

“This graduating class has demonstrated excellence both inside and outside the classroom,” Superintendent Dr. Matt Kegley said. “Whether their next step is college, military service, the workforce, or another pathway, these students leave HSE prepared to make meaningful contributions to their communities. We are proud of all they have accomplished and excited to see what comes next.”

HSE officials said the Class of 2026 has built a legacy of academic success, leadership, service, athletic achievement, artistic excellence and community involvement throughout their time in the district.

Both graduation ceremonies will be livestreamed and recorded for those unable to attend in person.

The Fishers High School livestream is available at:

https://www.youtube.com/live/gZVlPmfhhZM?si=WEzZFdHVHPuM5fNT

The Hamilton Southeastern High School livestream is available at:

https://www.youtube.com/live/iDAZJzG5foU?si=cnefISYbQnToKkhB

Recordings of each ceremony will be available following commencement through the district’s YouTube channel.

Soccer fans across central Indiana will have three chances this month to watch Team USA chase World Cup glory on the big screen — for free.

Fishers Event Center will host three World Cup Watch Parties at the FORUM Credit Union Plaza, the open-air space just outside the venue, as the United States men’s national team opens its tournament run. Each party features giant screens, interactive fan activations, giveaways, games, and food and beverages available for purchase, all in a stadium-inspired atmosphere built for cheering alongside fellow supporters.

The watch parties are presented in partnership with sponsor Michelob ULTRA, which is staging fan experiences nationwide as the World Cup returns to U.S. soil for the first time since 1994.

The schedule:

• Friday, June 12 — Gates 8 p.m., kickoff 9 p.m. (USA vs. Paraguay)
• Friday, June 19 — Gates 2 p.m., kickoff 3 p.m. (USA vs. Australia)
• Thursday, June 25 — Gates 9 p.m., kickoff 10 p.m. (USA vs. Turkey)

Admission is free, with no tickets or registration required, and free surface parking is available. Because the plaza is an open-air venue, organizers encourage fans to bring lawn chairs or blankets and to dress for the weather — sunglasses, ponchos and similar gear depending on conditions.

Fishers Event Center, which opened in November 2024, seats 7,500 and hosts concerts, comedy, family shows and sporting events. It is home to three pro teams: the Indy Fuel (ECHL hockey), Indy Ignite (Major League Volleyball) and Fishers Freight (Indoor Football League).

More information is available at fisherseventcenter.com.

Retiring Hamilton Southeastern High School social studies teacher Chad Janney received a surprise honor on the final day of school, capping a 28-year career with Hamilton Southeastern Schools.

Janney was presented with a Distinguished Hoosier proclamation from Gov. Mike Braun during a year-end gathering of his social studies department colleagues. The presentation was made by Jason Urban, HSE assistant superintendent of secondary education.

The Distinguished Hoosier award is one of Indiana’s highest honors, recognizing individuals whose service, leadership and contributions have made a lasting impact on their communities and the state.

Janney was nominated for the recognition in honor of his nearly three decades of dedication to students, his passion for history and civic education, and his work to create meaningful classroom experiences.

His efforts received additional attention earlier this school year during the U.S. Department of Education’s History Rocks! tour at Hamilton Southeastern High School, where Janney’s work to bring history to life for students was highlighted.

As Janney retires from teaching, the award serves as a tribute to a career devoted to helping students better understand history, citizenship and public service.

Josh Perry, a longtime Fishers resident, Hamilton Southeastern High School graduate and parent of two HSE students, has filed as a nonpartisan candidate for the Hamilton Southeastern School Board District 2 seat.

According to a news release issued by his campaign,  Perry said his campaign will focus on steady and balanced leadership, practical problem solving, and what he describes as purposeful and thoughtful spending.

“I’m running for school board because I want to bring a nonpartisan, collaborative approach to give back to the schools and community that shaped who I am today,” Perry said in his campaign announcement. “As both a district graduate and parent, I’ve experienced our schools from both perspectives. I believe that our community is ready for steady, balanced leadership.”

Perry added that political division can distract from the work of the school district.

“I will listen carefully to the needs of our community, focus on practical solutions, and make decisions based on what’s best for students, families, and educators,” he said.

Perry grew up in Fishers’ Conner Knoll neighborhood and attended New Britton Elementary before graduating from Hamilton Southeastern High School in 2007. He later graduated from Purdue University in 2011, where he met his wife, Stephanie, who is also a Hamilton Southeastern High School graduate.

The couple now lives in West Fishers, raising their family in Stephanie’s childhood home. Their children, Parker and Caroline, attend Harrison Parkway Elementary and will be entering third grade and first grade this fall.

Professionally, Perry serves as Commercial Underwriting Manager for Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance. In that role, he leads a team of 15 underwriters and oversees commercial property and casualty underwriting for the state of Indiana.

The District 2 seat is one of 4 Hamilton Southeastern School Board positions on the ballot this year. Candidates are allowed to name a party affiliation if so choosing, but Perry has chosen to run as nonpartisan.

The Hamilton County Leadership Academy has announced 35 individuals selected for its Class of 2027.

The class includes people who live and/or work in Hamilton County and will begin the academy’s 10-month leadership program in August. The program is designed to give participants a closer look at issues facing communities throughout Hamilton County.

“Each year, we welcome an incredible group of leaders into the HCLA legacy, and this year is no different,” said HCLA Executive Director Maria Kanger. “The staff and leadership of HCLA are looking forward to watching the Class of 2027 learn, connect, and lead during their class year experience and into the future.”

Members of the HCLA Class of 2027 are:

Karl Ahlrichs, ExpertSpeaks

Jessica Barnett, Noblesville Chamber of Commerce

Nolan Barr, Abbott Laboratories

Keeton Bartol, Coverdale Consulting

Katt Boaz, Church Church Hittle + Antrim

Lisa Busse, CFRE, The Milk Bank

Whitney Carriger, Camptown

Sharon J. Coleman, Coleman Strategy and Experience Group, LLC

Bruce Cooley, Citizens Energy Group

Katherine Couch, Hamilton County Tourism

Parker Criswell, Ginovus

Rachel Firestone Mohammad, 9th Street Bistro

Blake Fogelsong, Clancy’s Hospitality

Scott Grady, Indianapolis Airport Police Department

Mary Gould, Gaylor Electric

Scott Higginson, American Structurepoint

Toni Holcombe, Independent Data & Process Analyst

Dr. Greg Hunt, Westfield Washington Schools

Dawn Lang, Life Centers

Tom MacDonald, City of Noblesville

Harrison Massonne, Meyer Najem Construction

Brandt McCoskey, ISC Sports Network

Jessica Metz, Ivy Tech Hamilton County

Nick Pease, Grace Church

Ryan M. Potter, REAP Development Group

Leslie Poynter, Indiana Department of Education

Emily Reynolds, Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad

Lauren Stafford, Noblesville Schools Education Foundation

Stacey Summitt-Mann, University High School

Maranda Taylor, The Hagerman Group

Sarah Tosh, Planwell

Andrew Upchurch, Hamilton County Legal Department

Mark Walker, Citizens State Bank

Regina L. Warren, MBA, Northwestern Mutual

Nakeisha Washington, Nyla Nova STEMversity

HCLA selects participants each year through what the organization describes as a highly competitive application process. Class members are chosen based on community engagement, interest in learning and growing through the program, commitment to leading and serving in Hamilton County, and the perspectives and knowledge they bring to the class.

Earlier this year, HCLA announced that Andrew Bradford would serve as dean for the Class of 2027.

Established in 1991, Hamilton County Leadership Academy is considered one of the county’s premier leadership development programs. The academy provides a 10-month immersive experience focused on civic, nonprofit, government and community issues.

HCLA graduates have gone on to serve in civic organizations, nonprofit groups, government agencies and elected office. The organization also hosts alumni events intended to help graduates stay connected and continue their leadership work after completing the program.