Recently at the Azalea Path, the Pike County Leadership Program celebrated the graduation of its latest cohort. This event marked not only the culmination of months of hard work and dedication but also the beginning of a new chapter for these emerging leaders. With guest speakers Mayor Klipsch and State Representative Shane Lindauer in attendance, the ceremony was a testament to the profound impact of the Leadership Program on both individuals and the community.
This year’s graduating class: Jerry Blackwell from Pike County Courthouse Staff, Paulina Cazares from MiPatio, Rachel Cox from Kimball International, Reid Craig from Parsifal, Sara Davis from Parsifal,  Logan Meneely from r3 Renewables, Kalee Riddle from Parsifal, Cheyanne  Sallee from GE Tree Service,  Clayton Sallee from GE Tree Service, Rhiannon Warnell from Moose Lodge, and Amanda Woods from Tri-Cap.

The Pike County Leadership Program is not just about attending sessions; it's about actively engaging with the community, making connections and making a tangible difference. Over the course of ten full-day sessions, participants participated in various aspects of leadership, from communication, teamwork, managing conflict, and project management.
 
This year, the graduating class undertook on a community project of beautifying the Nature Trail at Hornady Park and enhancing the walking trail at Winslow Park.  At the Graduation, Cox and Davis presented the projects which included clearing the trail, signage and the creation of a butterfly garden at Hornady Park.  Winslow Park is receiving some TLC and the installation of a small walking bridge.
 
The success of the Pike County Leadership Program would not be possible without the efforts of its organizers and supporters. It takes many sponsors to put this program together and we are grateful for every one of them. Spearheaded by the Pike County Purdue Extension and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, the program is led by Brooke Goble, Executive Director of Pike County Purdue Extension, and organized by Jill Hyneman, Executive Director of Pike County Chamber of Commerce. The planning of the program is overseen by the Leadership Planning Committee, comprising Cindy Barber, Jon Craig, Brooke Goble, Jill Hyneman, Krista Robinette, Robin Smith, and Ashley Willis.
 
 With each new class, the program grows a network of leaders, equipped with the skills, knowledge, and passion to drive positive change in Pike County and beyond. It's exciting to hear that the next Leadership class will begin in October 2025. Keep an eye out for more details in the spring of 2025.
 

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The business landscape is noisy and crowded for most of us. But keeping your customers happy and engaged is crucial to your success and their return. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a powerful toolkit to elevate your customer experience in ways you might not have thought of. And it’s not about replacing your employees with robots.
 
As a small business owner, you can leverage AI to make your customers feel valued and keep them coming back for more.
 
Help Your Employees Focus Where They’re Needed MostSome things you can automate, some you can’t. Some questions are easily answered (over, and over, and over throughout the day) and some require more thought.
 
What if you could hand off all the simple questions to “someone” who will never become impatient no matter how many times it’s asked the same thing? What if you could trust the answer will always be given in a professional way from the first time to the thirty-first? Imagine your website anticipating your customers' needs before they even ask.
 
AI-powered chatbots can greet visitors, answer basic questions, and even guide them toward relevant products or services. This not only saves you time answering repetitive inquiries but also provides immediate assistance, enhancing the customer journey from the very first click.
 
And this assistant never sleeps.
 
Trust your human employees with the “peopling” and relationship-building tasks and leave the virtual, repetitive work to AI.
 
After all, how many times can you tell someone your address and hours without feeling a little robotic anyway?
 
Help Customers Get What They Want QuicklyAI can also personalize the online shopping experience. By analyzing past purchases and browsing behavior, recommendation engines can suggest products that complement what a customer has already shown interest in.
 
Recommendations greatly increase the likelihood of a sale. It also creates a sense of feeling understood, like the website is offering exactly what you need.
 
Eliminate Frustrating WaitsBeyond sales, AI can revolutionize your customer support. One of the most common phrases you hear when calling any company these days is, “We are experiencing very high call volumes.” That’s usually followed by an annoying number of minutes that you will have to wait to get a human on the line.
 
It’s not that more people are calling. It’s that more companies don’t have the staff to support the call volume. Some have turned to “wait in line” call backs but there’s another solution.
 
AI-powered chatbots can handle simple inquiries, freeing up your staff for more complex issues. Chatbots can also be trained to answer frequently asked questions 24/7, ensuring your customers receive prompt assistance even outside of business hours.
 
Gain Important Customer InsightThe power of AI extends beyond your website. By analyzing customer reviews and social media sentiment, you can gain valuable insights into what customers think of your brand. 
 
Using this data, you can identify areas for improvement and proactively address any customer concerns. AI can monitor social media and alert you if a customer expressed frustration, allowing you to reach out and resolve the issue before it escalates.
 
Give Customers What They Want Without Hours and Hours of WorkFinally, another way AI can improve the customer experience is through repurposing content. Some of your audience enjoys podcasts, others blogs, or short video clips. It’s time consuming to do it all but you should to meet your customers’ preferences.
 
In the past, repurposing took a lot of work. Today, there are AI products that can turn blogs into videos, videos into transcripts, and webinars into bite-sized TikToks and Reels with a couple of clicks. That way, you can give your customers access to the medium of their preference without spending hours repurposing it.
 
Finally, AI is not a magic bullet. And it takes some time to “teach” it. But it is a powerful tool that can help you personalize customer interactions, streamline processes, and ultimately, create a more positive and memorable customer experience. Plus, it’s never going to ask you to buy a box of cookies from its kid or quiet quit on you.

 Discover Downtown Petersburg recently received a $1,000 grant from the Pike County
Community Foundation through the Pike Gives Grant Program.
The Pike Gives Grant Program allows Pike County Community Foundation advisory board members to
recommend $1,000 grants to local nonprofit organizations. The Foundation’s most recent grant recommendation
was made by Bridget Butcher to assist with the cost of the Buffalo Trace Festival.
For more information about funding opportunities through the Pike County Community Foundation, contact Laura
Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact, at 812-890-4469 or via email
[email protected].
Pictured:(left to right) Mayor RC Klipsch; and Bridget Butcher, Pike County Community Foundation Advisory
Board member.

PIKE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS OVER $85,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO 22 AREA STUDENTS
The Pike County Community Foundation announces the distribution of
community scholarships totaling $85,400 including renewable scholarships. This year, funds
established by generous donors provided scholarships to 22 area students. The Lilly Endowment
Community Scholarship recipient and Community Scholarship recipients were recognized at the Pike
County Community Foundation Spring Gala on Saturday, April 24, 2024.
In addition to announcing the recipients, the Regional Director of Community Engagement & Impact,
Laura Hazelman states, “The Pike County Community Foundation is fortunate to have generous fund
founders and donors who have made these scholarships possible. They are truly making an impact on
young adults in Pike County. The students at Pike Central High School are blessed to have such a
wonderful group of people who are invested in their education and future success. We are thankful to
the scholarship committee for their dedication and hard work in selecting our scholarship recipients.”
Carroll-Wyatt Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship established by the Carroll-Wyatt
Scholarship Fund trust created through the Last Will and Testament of Hilda D. Carroll to provide
scholarships to Pike Central High School graduates pursuing a college degree. This year’s recipient,
Lexie Onyett, was awarded $1,500.
Claud W. and Lois Kemp Family Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship fund established
by Jerry D. Kemp to remember his grandparents, Claud W. and Lois (Corn) Kemp. Mr. And Mrs. Kemp
were lifelong residents of Pike County. Claud Kemp was a long-time teacher and principal at Velpen
School in Velpen, IN. This scholarship is dedicated to Mr. Kemp and his enthusiasm for education. This
year’s award of $1,000 goes to Chase Ridao.
Darwin and Grace Youngs Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Darwin Youngs for
graduating seniors of Pike Central High School. This year’s recipient, Cobey McKinney, was awarded
$1,000.
Dessie Mae (Bruce) Griffith Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Allison Bell, Jodie Dawn
Huntsman, and Christina Scales in memory of their mother to benefit graduating seniors of Pike Central
High School. Dessie Mae was born the youngest of ten children in September 1945 and she passed
away after losing her battle with lung cancer in March 2001. This year’s recipient, Jamie Sallee, was
awarded $500.
MEDIA RELEASE

Dr. and Mrs. William A. Weather and Betty B. Wyatt Memorial Scholarship is an annual, renewable
scholarship created by Pike Central High School in memory of its former teacher, counselor, and
principal, Dr. William A. Weathers, his wife, and their friend Mrs. Betty B. Wyatt. Dr. Weathers spent his
entire 42-year career in education in Petersburg and was active in civic and community affairs. Betty
Wyatt was a teacher for more than 40 years. This year’s award is $1,000 and the recipient is Jaidyn
Gogel.
Gaskins Family Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship created by Jim and Cindy Gaskins
for Pike Central High School students. This year’s $2,500 award recipient is Gabriella Collins.
Harrell and LaVern Shoultz Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship created by Harrell and
LaVern Shoultz for graduating seniors at Pike Central High School. This year’s recipient, Ella Adams,
was awarded $1,000.
Joe and Libbie Dedman Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Joe and Libbie Dedman to
provide scholarship assistance to Pike Central High School students seeking post-secondary
education. Preference for this scholarship will be given to cancer survivors or students with learning
challenges. This year $1,000 was awarded to Hannah Fort.
Kenny Veale Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by Carolyn Veale for
graduating Pike Central High School students who are pursuing a career in the automotive field. This
year’s recipient, Brailey Mills, was awarded $1,500.
Lawrell Hilgeman Memorial Scholarship/Pike Optimists of Petersburg, Indiana is an annual
scholarship created by the Pike Optimists in memory of their esteemed member, Lawrell Hilgeman.
This year’s recipient, Arrik McDonald, was awarded $700.
Mary R. Curtis Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship established by the estate of Sammy
K. Curtis, in memory of his aunt, Miss Mary F. Curtis, a beloved 2nd-grade teacher at Winslow
Elementary School. This year’s recipient, Taylor Gosciniak, was awarded $3,500.
Montes/Fenol Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship created by Honesto Fenol and his
wife, Rosabella Montes Fenol, to help students who might not otherwise qualify for academic
scholarships and to encourage them to pursue their education and career goals. This year’s award is
$1,500, and the recipient is Brylee Walker.
Otwell School Alumni Association Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship created by the
Otwell School Alumni Association for students who have a familial or relational connection to the Otwell
community. This year’s recipient, Addy Russell, received $1,500.
Petersburg First United Methodist Church Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship created
by Petersburg First United Methodist Church through a generous donation made in memory of Dessie
McDade Burton. The recipient must be a member of the First United Methodist Church. This year’s
recipient, Gabriella Collins, was awarded $1,500.
Petersburg High School Alumni Association Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship
established by the Petersburg High School Alumni Association to create a legacy for Petersburg High
School by providing scholarships in the name of the school to Pike Central High School students now
and in the future. This year’s award is $1,000, and the recipient is Ashlynn Kirk.

Petersburg High School Class of 1959 Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by the
Petersburg High School Class of 1959. This year’s $1,500 award recipient is Macey Stilwell.
Pike Central High School Alumni Association Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship
created by the Pike Central High School Alumni Association. This year’s recipient, Dylan Charles,
received $1,000.
Pike County Chamber of Commerce Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by the Pike
County Chamber of Commerce for graduating seniors of Pike Central High School who are planning to
attend an Indiana college or university. This year’s recipient, Austin Henson, received $500.
Roger Knight Family Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by Doris Knight to honor and
remember Roger Knight, a retired Pike Central High School teacher of agriculture and horticulture. The
scholarship has been created to assist students pursuing post-secondary education, with a preference
towards students pursuing an agricultural-related field of study – from mechanics to selling farm futures
– and members of FFA or 4-H. This year’s recipient, Danessa Pride, received $1,000.
Schafer Pike County Community Foundation Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship
created by Karl and Elizabeth Schafer for graduating seniors of Pike Central High School who are
residents of Pike County. This year’s recipient, Jamie Sallee, was awarded $3,000.
Si and Mary Ashley Family Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Si and Mary Ashley to
provide financial assistance to Pike Central High School graduates. This year’s recipient Maxwell
Burkhart will receive $1,000.
Vinson Family Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by John and Mary Ellen Vinson for
graduating seniors of Pike Central High School. This year’s $1,800 award recipient is Pillar Rudolph.
Winslow Eagles Memorial Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship created by Winslow
Eagles Aerie #2646 for graduating seniors of Pike Central High School who have a connection to
Winslow Eagles Aerie #2646. This year’s recipient, Jonas Martinez, was awarded $1,200.
Winslow High School Alumni Association Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship created
by the Winslow High School Alumni Association for graduating seniors of Pike Central High School.
This year’s award is $2,000, and the recipient is Karley Kavanaugh.
Ruby Salee of Pike Central High School is the 2024 Pike County Lilly Endowment Community
Scholarship recipient. She will receive a full tuition scholarship to the Indiana college of her choice and
a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment. The Community Foundation handles the
applications, and a volunteer selection committee of community leaders completes the review process
for this award, submitting final nominations to Independent Colleges of Indiana.