The fork in life’s road that tends to be inevitable following high school graduation will steer Elaina Connell in one direction and Alley Fleener in another.
Geographical differences and professional interests aside, the Indian Creek seniors aspire to make their mark by making a difference.
Connell, who carries a 4.608 grade-point average and will deliver the valedictorian speech at the school’s graduation Saturday, will attend Franklin College and major in biology and pre-veterinary medicine.
Sports enthusiast Fleener, who, like Connell, worked diligently to maintain her own impressive GPA (4.60), is Indian Creek’s salutatorian. She will attend Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa, some 10 hours away by automobile, to study to become an assistant for a sports medicine physician.
The common denominator is caring.
Connell’s passion for taking care of animals dates back as far as she can remember. As an infant, the family cat, Cassie, was already 6 years old, and would go on to live to be 17.
“I have always loved animals. When I was little, I would pretend to be a veterinarian with my stuffed animals,” Connell said, laughing. “As a family, we’ve always had dogs and cats. Animals are innocent creatures, and I think it’s important to take care of them just like we would humans.”
Connell works part-time at Briarcrest Animal Hospital in Franklin where her work ethic and big heart are never taken for granted.
“Elaina is a very caring young woman who cares more about others than herself,” said Dr. David Brichler, owner of Briarcrest. “She’s an extremely hard worker, very bright and has a bright future in front of her.”
Connell was a varsity cheerleader for four years, is a member of National Honor Society and served as manager for Indian Creek’s Unified track and field and flag football teams.
“I just absolutely love the kids, and I think inclusion is important,” Connell said. “It’s important that all kids are seen and treated equally, and that they’re able to do high school sports and high school activities.”
Fleener, who is two minutes younger than her twin brother, Thomas, suited up for the Braves softball program as an infielder/pitcher/utility player until a stress fracture in her left tibia in April sidelined her for the remainder of her senior season after only four games.
“Alley is a good kid. Usually real upbeat, but we didn’t get a chance to see her play much this year, and it was a big loss to be sure,” Indian Creek softball coach Gary Mitchell said. “She tries to teach and help with the younger kids in our program.”
Fleener’s career on the softball diamond isn’t over, however. She will play at Briar Cliff, an NAIA program competing in the Great Plains Athletic Conference alongside comparably sized schools in Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa.
“I love sports, and I want to be involved in athletics the rest of my life,” Fleener said. “I went out there in October and fell in love with the campus.”
Connell began her academic career in the Center Grove school system (preschool and kindergarten), attended first- and second-grade in Martinsville and has been at Indian Creek ever since.
“I just like the small community at Indian Creek. Everybody knows everybody,” Connell said. “Academically, it’s much more beneficial because the classes are smaller and, socially, it’s better because it’s like a family.”
Both have flourished academically and look forward to what the future holds.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The Connell File” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Elaina Connell
School: Indian Creek High School
Class ranking: Valedictorian
Age: 18
Parents: Laura and Jason Connell
College plans: Major in Biology and pre-veterinary medicine at Franklin College
Career goal: To be an excellent veterinarian and help animals and pet owners in every way possible
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The Fleener File” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Alley Fleener
School: Indian Creek High School
Class ranking: Salutatorian
Age: 18
Parents: Heather and Daryl Fleener
College plans: Major in exercise physiology at Briar Cliff University
Career goal: To become a sports medicine physician’s assistant
[sc:pullout-text-end]
