A Family Story Woven into the Fabric of Zionsville Community Schools

For sisters Martha Farley and Allison Wharry, walking the halls of Zionsville Community High School (ZCHS) is more than a trip down memory lane. It’s a walk back through their family history. Their ties to the school district stretch back nearly a century, weaving together teachers, school board leaders, athletes, musicians, and their own children.

Grandmother, Teacher, Trailblazer

Their grandmother, Martha Wharry, began teaching in Zionsville in the early 1940s, instructing students in both biology and home economics. In those days, high school classes were small which meant her son, the sisters’ father, Allen Wharry, even had his mother as a teacher.

Their mother, Diana Wharry, meanwhile, broke new ground as the first woman elected to the first Zionsville School Board in the early 1970s, later serving as its first female president.

 Father: Athlete, Musician, Leader

Their father graduated from Zionsville High School in 1953, the same year he helped lead the basketball team to the school’s only appearance to date in the state semi-finals. Yet his talents extended far beyond the basketball court. He played sousaphone in the marching band, acted in school plays, sang, and participated in nearly every club offered.

Sisters in the '70s

Martha and Allison grew up in the small-town of Zionsville during the 1970s. They attended Eagle Elementary School before eventually graduating from Zionsville Community High School, where caring teachers and close-knit classmates left lasting impressions.

Favorite educators like Mrs. Knapp (fourth grade), Mrs. Rosensteel (elementary school), Mrs. Hebel (middle school history), and French teacher Miss McNeff (later Mrs. Hightshue), who even took students to France, helped shape their futures. Farley became a teacher herself, crediting her elementary school experiences as inspiration.

Community events also defined their youth: Fall Festival parades, Halloween parties in the old gym across from Eagle Elementary School, and costume contests that brought the town together.

Passing the Torch

Both sisters later sent their own children through Zionsville schools. Farley’s sons graduated in 2009 and 2019; Wharry’s son graduated in 2017. Like their parents, they discovered teachers they could rely on, activities that broadened their horizons, and friends who remain a part of their lives still today.

Growth, Pride, and What Lasts

The Zionsville their father knew, with 31 classmates, has grown into a school district with graduating classes of more than 500 students. The football stadium, academic offerings, and extracurricular programs have expanded dramatically. Still, both sisters say the core remains unchanged. The heartbeat remains the same.

Advice for Today’s Eagles

Both women encourage today’s students to keep an open mind and embrace the opportunities in front of them.

Carrying on Tradition

The family's connection to Zionsville Community Schools did not end when their children graduated. Today, Martha continues the legacy inside the district, serving as part of the ZCS team. In her role, she helps nurture the same spirit of community and care that shaped her own family’s experience.

A Story Still Being Written

For the Wharry family, Zionsville Community Schools is more than a school district. It’s a legacy. From small-town charm to today’s nationally recognized schools, their story reflects the growth of a community that continues to value connection, tradition, and excellence.

And as future generations walk the same halls, this four-generation Zionsville Community Schools family knows the story will continue, a reminder that they are Always an Eagle.