Out-of-the-Blue

As we gear up to experience a nearly once-in-a-lifetime celestial phenomenon of the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, I want to remind everyone that we will be dismissing school at 1 p.m. that day.

Tipton County is in a part of a 115-mile-wide strip of North America that is in the path of totality of the eclipse which is expected to begin about 3:06 EST and last for over 2 minutes. Because these types of events tend to draw an influx of visitors and related traffic to the area we are sending students home early as a safety precaution and because we want them to enjoy this incredible celestial event. We don't want students on buses or in cars during totality or stuck in traffic afterwards.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. The sky will begin to darken as if it were dawn or dusk around 1:50 p.m. It’s going to be an extraordinary day. Even if it's clouded over, it's going to get nighttime dark, the temperature will drop dramatically, and animals will act strangely because they'll think it's nighttime.

As a safety precaution, only view the eclipse with glasses recommended by NASA and the American Astronomical Society. Looking directly at the eclipse without the protection of these special glasses could result in loss of vision or permanent blindness.

The next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will be on August 23, 2044. Click here to see the best places to view the eclipse in Indiana. Want to know more about solar eclipses? Check out NASA’s site on all things eclipse now through 2030 here.

The Tipton Bass Anglers Club at Tipton High School is ramping up for what is expected to be an exciting fishing season. The club, among just a handful offered in districts in the greater Central Indiana area, has been a draw for students who enjoy the outdoors and want to develop a lifelong skill for nearly 15 years.

The club’s sponsors, Hink Hinkle, David Case, Doug White, and Brandi White (the Whites are not related) are highly acclaimed, enthusiastic, and deeply invested in the sport and in mentoring the next generation of anglers. They bring with them a passion for all things fishing, extensive knowledge of sport fishing, tips, techniques, boats, and a long line of loyal sponsors like RL Turner who is this year’s Title Sponsor. These sponsors provide support to help offset the costs of participating in the club making it a minimal financial investment for students.

The benefits for club members are many including developing lifelong skills in the world of fishing, conservation, and competitive tournaments featuring thousands of dollars in cash prizes, scholarships for continuing education, and potential opportunity to compete at the collegiate level.

Hink Hinkle, Hinkle Construction, has served as a sponsor almost from the club’s inception. However, he did not start the club. It was his son Andy Hinkle (THS ‘12 ) and Nate Weddle (THS ’11) who had the idea and did the legwork to bring the club to fruition. Hinkle’s belief was that if his son put forth the effort, he would back him 100%. With that the first student fishing club in the state was formed.

Since then the club has been backed by a trio of friends and long-term fishing partners - Hinkle, Ray Turner, Jr., and Dan Chopp. Turner is described as a one-man powerhouse in generating outside support and interest in the club. “He’s served as the fundraising arm of the club from day one helping to secure gear, sponsorships, and everything in-between,” said Hinkle of this incredible club resource. “Chopp, who passed away in 2013, continues to support the club through the Dan Chopp Memorial Scholarship. His wife, Neda, manages the scholarship that awards a $1,000 to a THS senior and club member for continuing education.”

Just mention the word “fishing” and David Case, THS Automotive Technology teacher, is in! Fishing is a longstanding tradition in the Case family. “Growing up we traveled the country with our fishing gear in tow to campgrounds that had a place to fish,” recalled Case, whose passion for fishing has been lifelong. He is a self-described competition junkie who has fished in tournaments since 1996. “It’s being outdoors and the thrill of the sport that anyone of any age can enjoy and be successful. In fact, he has fished against Hinkle for more than 20 years. Like Hinkle, there isn’t too much that Case doesn’t know about fishing. When he joined TCSC in 2022 and offered the opportunity to join Hinkle as a club cosponsor, it was a no-brainer for Case.

Doug White, who has been teaching Special Education at THS since 2008, stepped up for the opportunity to cosponsor this unique club a few years ago. He is relatively new to fishing and describes himself as a “fishing enthusiast” who continues to grow and learn from the more experienced club sponsors. It was White’s father-in-law’s love of fishing and his son’s interest that initially motivated him to pick up a rod and head to the river. Before long White was hooked! “The time spent with my son enjoying the outdoors and having a shared experience is priceless,” he said. “Catching a fish is a bonus! It’s the same with our students – learning life’s lessons and new skills, solving problems, and enjoying the great outdoors. Students who catch a fish as part of club tournaments can reel in opportunities to participate in competitive events, prizes, money, and bragging rights. No matter how you look at it it’s a win-win!”

This will be Brandi White’s first year to help lead the club as a cosponsor. White, who is a Strike King Co-Angler in the Toyota Series, is looking forward to working with students to develop their skill and knowledge of sport fishing.

Tipton Bass Anglers is open to any student grades 9-12. The season starts in March of each year and runs through the fall. The club provides opportunities to fish, learn, and grow as an angler. To learn more, email hinkconst@gmail.com, dcase@tcsc@k12.in.us and/or dwhite@tcsc@k12.in.us. Stay up to date on the club’s activities and follow them on Facebook here.

Tipton Bass Anglers Club has been offering students the opportunity to develop a lifelong skill and have fun on the water since 2010.. Pictured (l-r): Brandi White (Club cosponsor), Cooper Altherr (club member), Doug White (Club cosponsor), and David Hight (student).

The Tipton Bass Anglers Club is open to students in grades 9-12. Students say they bring home a lot more than fish tales. The club has earned four state championship titles and members (l-r) Riley Coleman, Rowan Henley, Colten Hartley, Drake Boyer, and Zack Goshern are hoping to reel in another championship title.

Founded: May 29, 2010

• Original members: 10
• School: Tipton High School, Tipton, Indiana
• First president: Andy Hinkle (THS’ 12)
• First club sponsor: Nick Strait
• First student angler fishing club in Indiana
• One of the first in the state to organize and operate under the Bass Federation’s Student Angler Federation
• Four state fishing championship titles (2011, 2016, 2017, 2018)

Click the image to see the video.

“The Inferno,” Tipton High School’s landmark gym, is undergoing a long-awaited renovation in

summer of 2024. The Friends of the Inferno group is leading the charge to raise funds through

sponsorships and donations to give the gymnasium a modern look and feel with new paint,

flooring, digital scoreboards, curtain, gym floor planks, and Blue Devil Hall of Fame section to

name a few.

The Inferno, home to Indiana’s only Blue Devils mascot, built in 1961, seats 3,500. It has served

as a symbol of local identity, the focus of hometown pride, and the backdrop for generations of

memories. The upgrades, expected to cost an estimated $450,000, will update the look and feel of the multi-use space with modern amenities and features to best serve players, students, spectators, and the community well into the future.

The Inferno doubles as an educational space by day and an event destination by night. It is a multi-purpose facility that is used as a large classroom, for sports practices, home games and

tournaments, graduation, school-sanctioned events, community gatherings, and as an

emergency shelter. It draws in an estimated 22,000 spectators each year. Beginning in 2024,

The Inferno will host all home boys’ and girls’ basketball games, home volleyball matches, and

IHSAA tournament contests.

All are invited to consider joining this exciting initiative through a number of available

sponsorships or donating toward this effort. Your investment is an investment in students,

faculty, and the community by providing students with a safe and healthy environment to learn

and grow while also serving as a valuable resource for the community.

“Having a modernized gymnasium instills a stronger sense of pride as our student athletes

continue to learn valuable life lessons through competition and sportsmanship,” said Kory

Fernung, THS Athletic Director. “One of our local business partners, Encompass Credit Union,

has taken the lead on this effort by sponsoring the main gym flooring which will be the new

Encompass Court at the Inferno!”

For more information on sponsorship and donor opportunities, contact us at

THSinferno@tcsc.k12.in.us or call Andrea Campbell at (317)385-0872 or Rob Cochrane at

(317)432-6429.

March 12-Monthly Board Meeting

March 25-Flex Day (Snow Make-up if needed)

March 26-Flex Day (Snow Make-up if needed)

March 27-Flex Day (Snow Make-up if needed)

March 28-Flex Day (Snow Make-up if needed)

March 29-April 5 Spring Break

April 8-Total Eclipse-Students Dismissed at 1PM