The Versailles Republican Headline News

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UPDATED BY MARIA SIEVERDING MARCH 14, 2017 3 P.M.

Send us your Easter happenings!

Be sure to send in information on your Easter events. We need those in our office by April 3 to include them in The Versailles Republican on April 6 and again in the Osgood Journal on April 11. There is no charge for this. Send to wburnett@ripleynews.com or drop off at our office on Washington Street (next to the post office) in Versailles. You can also mail them to Ripley Publishing Co., P.O. Box 158, Versailles, IN 47042.

PAGE UPDATED BY MARIA SIEVERDING MARCH 23, 2017 3 P.M.

Chris Perdue brings home the gold!

Wanda English Burnett
EDITOR

He received the gold medal at a ceremony Wednesday morning with loved ones a world away watching. According to a press release from Special Olympics, Perdue competed against eight athletes from New Zealand, Switzerland, Japan, Austria, Korea and fellow Team USA member Jeremy Beckham in his division – the Advanced Giant Slalom event.

Chris Perdue and Karen Pence PHOTO COURTESY OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS
At left, Perdue stands proud with United States Vice President, Mike Pence’s wife, Karen. Perdue has experienced many “firsts” on this journey to becoming a gold medalist! His parents, Sherry and HB Carroll of Osgood, are with him in Austria for this experience.

“I have never been more proud of Chris,” noted his mother, Sherry Carroll. “He has inspired me and he is inspiring others to give it their best.” He gave it his all and with five seconds to spare captured the gold! According to information from the event, during the Snowboarding Advanced Giant Slalom competition, athletes take two runs down a course making their way around gates. The two times are combined for their final time.

During Perdue’s first, run he set a personal record and was in third place behind athletes from Switzerland and New Zealand. On the second run he again set a personal record that gave him the seconds he needed to claim the prize. “Chris’ second run impressed us all,” said Perdue’s local coach, Jimmy Laub. “He nailed everything we have been practicing and I could not be more proud he is coming home with gold.”

While he’s having a blast in a country he never dreamed of going to, he’s excited to be coming home this Saturday. And, his fans are waiting! Many tweets and messages have crossed country lines to reach back and forth between a little Indiana town and Schladming, Austria, congratulating Perdue, who has his mother, Sherry and step-father HB Carroll at his side. As news companies began to release photos and the stats, Trace Tucker, Perdue’s teacher at South Ripley High School, said he was so proud and excited. Tucker is proud of Perdue all the time, but said he knows how hard he has worked to get the gold, along with a whole community who supported not only him, but his family. “He’s got such a big heart,” Tucker told The Versailles Republican. He said Perdue is always looking out for the other person. “He deserves this based on his ability, but more than that, it’s because he’s just so concerned about everyone around him,” Tucker pointed out.

The teacher noted that Greg Townsend with Special Olympics Indiana, just took Perdue under his wing, realized his potential, and nominated him for the World Games. It’s been a journey getting from here to there, but one Perdue has enjoyed all along the way. He’s competed locally, in Aspen Colorado and Connecticut, and now the world. Perdue credits his mother, who he says always pushes him to do his best. “I love my mother,” he told the newspapers in previous articles. This is a first for Special Olympics Indiana – Ripley Ohio Dearborn Counties (SOIN-ROD). Tucker noted that Townsend has been so instrumental in getting Perdue where he is and is thankful for a group of people who have worked tirelessly to make sure Perdue could reach his full potential in his beloved sport of snowboarding.

Tucker has spent countless hours outside the classroom with Perdue (as he does all his students) and said he couldn’t be prouder of him as he achieves something no one from this county has ever done before – bringing home the gold. Another local teacher at South Ripley, Brenda Strimple, is anxiously awaiting his arrival and can’t wait to have a in-school news broadcast about his adventure. Not only is he bringing home the gold, but this shining star placed fifth in the snowboarding Super G. He will have a BIG story to tell when he comes home.

Perdue hails from Osgood where his town is proud of him as well. Tucker will be picking him up at the airport on Saturday and can’t wait to hear all about his big trip. Ripley County is proud of Perdue. “I think I speak for all the commissioners when I say the county is proud of this young athlete and wish him the best of everything,” noted Bob Linville, county commissioner, who also is from Osgood. He said they are proud of this achievement and want people to know there are definitely good and talented young people in this county.

Southeastern Indiana business planning competition
Students place first in Regional Maverick Challenge

Ten teams from seven counties competed in the Regional Maverick Challenge on Saturday, March 4, in Columbus, Indiana. Oldenburg Academy students earned first place in the competition.

SUBMITTED PHOTO
Pictured from left, Samantha Nobbe and Haleigh Reed placed first in the Maverick Challenge Regional Competition held in Columbus, Indiana, on March 4.

The Maverick Challenge, a high school business planning competition for students in Southern Indiana, aims to further develop the innovative spirit of our region by reaching out to high school students and showing them viable career opportunities through entrepreneurship. Oldenburg seniors Haleigh Reed and Samantha Nobbe created a business plan for the company “The Bean Company,” which is a company that takes coffee grounds and creates beauty products. The business specializes in custom-made products. The two seniors achieved first place at the regional level, bringing home $3,000 in prize money.

Assistant Principal Jonathan Maple coordinates the challenge for Ripley/Franklin County. He, along with Cheryll Obendorf of Genesis Pathway to Success, Shelly Lunsford of Franklin County Community Foundation, and Anna Ibold with the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce support the challenge at a local level.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for students to gain real-world experience, prepare for their future and challenge themselves to be the best entrepreneurs that they can be. I’m ecstatic with the results of first place; it is the first time that Franklin/Ripley County have brought home first! I am so grateful for the outstanding community we live in that supports this program,” stated Maple.

In addition to the winners, Emily Cornett, Cori Hammoor and Dresden Lonergan represented Franklin/Ripley County with their company “Forget Me Not” where they invented the idea of a car seat alarm for if a child is left in the car. Ethan Eldridge and Greg Schroeder also represented their business “Our Gift,” which is a way that nonprofits can tap into crowd-funding for donations. Judges were impressed with their idea. Maple noted, “Both business plans were exceptional this year.”

This is the third year in a row that Franklin/Ripley County placed at the Maverick Challenge Regionals. Last year, Oldenburg Academy students Tanner Alley and Zach Pottschmidt placed third with their company “Tater Truck.” Sam Gast, Chase Hogg and Greg Schroeder achieved an honorable mention for their company “Knu Eyes.” In 2014-15, OA students Ryne Domingo and Matty Hurm achieved third place for their company, “Razian.”

If interested in getting involved with the Maverick Challenge, contact Jonathan Maple at Oldenburg Academy at jmaple@oldenburgacademy.org or 812-934-4440 ext. 241.