FRIDAY
FIVE

September 12, 2025

1. ZCHS Students Named
National Merit Semifinalists

Prestigious honor recognizes academic excellence and potential

Front Row (left to right) Srinithya Basireddy, Liam Hendry, Luke Kouns; Back Row (left to right) Jacob Clarizia, Tianle Liang, Romaan Shaikh, Andrew Beardsley (Not Pictured: Jake Tompkins)

Front Row (left to right) Srinithya Basireddy, Liam Hendry, Luke Kouns; Back Row (left to right) Jacob Clarizia, Tianle Liang, Romaan Shaikh, Andrew Beardsley (Not Pictured: Jake Tompkins)

Zionsville Community High School (ZCHS) is proud to announce that eight students have been named National Merit Semifinalists, placing them among the nation’s top scholars. Their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT ranks them in the top 1% of test-takers in Indiana, a reflection of years of dedication and academic excellence. As semifinalists, these students now advance in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, further highlighting the strength of ZCHS’s academic programs and the support of its educators and families. Congratulations to these students!

2. Trailside Elementary School
Love on a Leash

First graders build reading confidence with the help of volunteer dogs

Each week, first graders at Trailside Elementary School look forward to a special reading time with four-legged friends. Volunteer dogs visit classrooms, giving students a patient and encouraging audience as they practice their reading skills. The program not only strengthens literacy, but also helps children build confidence and discover the joy of sharing stories with a wagging-tailed listener.

3.
ZCHS students
On the Rise

Evan Walker and Cruz Weidner turn classroom lessons into $10,000 High School Hustle success stories

On the Rise: Student Voices This new series spotlights ZCS students who are making an impact. Meet two ZCHS seniors who each earned $10,000 in the High School Hustle competition. Watch the highlights and read their full story below!

Two Zionsville Community High School (ZCHS) seniors are proving that big ideas and hard work pay off. From curb-numbering to landscaping, ZCHS Seniors and Entrepreneurs Evan Walker and Cruz Weidner turned their passions into growing businesses, and now, into statewide recognition. Their journey through the High School Hustle contest shows what happens when classroom learning, creativity, and community support come together. Click image to read the full feature story.

Full feature story

4. Zionsville
Fall Festival Parade

Highlights from the Zionsville Fall Festival Parade

Eagle Pride Shines at Fall Festival Parade.
This is community!

The annual Lions Club Fall Festival parade was filled with Eagle spirit as hundreds of Zionsville Community Schools students marched, performed, and represented their schools. From marching bands and cheer squads to elementary students riding on colorful floats, the parade showcased the talent, energy, and community pride of ZCS. Families lined the streets to cheer on students, making the event a true celebration of school and community coming together.