GREENFIELD — The woman who inspired a march on Washington. The late state treasurer and gubernatorial candidate who received the state’s highest recognition four times for his years of service to the state.
A former city clerk-treasurer. A local small business owner. A communications tycoon.
Five Hancock County natives have been named as the 2018 inductees into the Greenfield Central School Foundation Alumni Hall of Fame, and they will be recognized at the foundation’s signature fundraiser, the Red Letter Gala.
The event connects the community to the classroom, its organizers say, because it gives residents a chance to better local classrooms by granting the “wishes” of Greenfield-Central teachers through monetary donations.
It also serves as an opportunity for the district’s leaders to recognize their most notable graduates.
The event is open to the public.
This year’s gala will take place at 5:45 p.m. Sept. 29 at Adaggios Banquet Hall 5999 W Memory Lane of Greenfield.
Tickets cost $50 per person and include hors d’oeuvres and dinner. Reservations are due Sept. 17.
Here are the Greenfield-Central alumni being honored this year:
Jack New, ’41
Before his death in 2008, Jack New was heavily involved in state and local government.
New attended Indiana University, where he studied politics. He served with the U.S. Army in Japan and Europe in World War II.
In the 1950s, he was a member of the Greenfield City Council before he took his political aspirations statewide.
He was elected three times to be Indiana’s state treasurer, serving from 1965 to 1967 and again from 1971 to 1979. In 1976, he ran to be the Indiana Democratic Party’s candidate for governor.
He was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash four times by as many Indiana governors.
Larry Breese, ’68
Larry Breese served as Greenfield’s clerk-treasurer for 20 years before his retirement in 2016.
Before taking on the position of clerk, Breese was elected to the city council from 1992 to 1996. He was first elected clerk-treasurer in 1996. Now, he sits on the city’s Board of Works.
Following his retirement, he received the Sagamore of the Wabash from then-Gov. Mike Pence for his many years of service to the community.
Breese is a longtime members of the Greenfield Kiwanis Club. He was formerly a volunteer firefighter.
Teresa Cooper Shook, ’69
Teresa Cooper Shook gained national recognition in 2017 when she was credited with inspiring the Women’s March on Washington — a demonstration that drew thousands to Washington, D.C., after the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
Organizers of the march say a Facebook post Shook made following the election suggesting a gathering in the nation’s capital as a sign of solidarity spurred their movement. Marches were also held in Paris, London, Sydney and other cities around the world.
Shook holds degrees in English literature, secondary education and law.
Though she grew up in Greenfield, she spent years practicing family law in California. She’s taught in classrooms around the globe, including in Guam, Guatemala, China, India and New Guinea.
Shook now lives in Hawaii.
Jeff Harris, ’70
Jeff Harris is the owner and operator of Ye Olde Head Shoppe, a Greenfield hair salon that employs 10 stylists, three massage therapists and two nail technicians.
He regularly uses his business as a means of furthering his community service.
He has served on the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greenfield and the board of directors for the Rotary Club of Greenfield.
Harris has been named the Greenfield Chamber of Commerce’s businessman of the year and in 2012 earned the Greenfield Central School Foundation’s Todd Kaminski Community Service Award.
Dave Arland, ’81
Dave Arland holds a degree in radio and television broadcast from Butler University.
He worked as a reporter at WIBC radio for many years, during which time he received awards for his work.
He worked as press secretary for Indianapolis Mayor William H. Hudnut, and in 2008, he founded Arland Communications, Inc.
He serves as the Executive Director of the Indiana Broadcasters Association and was recently elected secretary-treasurer of the National Association of State Broadcasters Associations.
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The Red Letter Gala was first held in 2011, and raises thousands annually to aid Greenfield-Central students.
Each year, the gala features classroom “wishes” from Greenfield-Central teachers. The requests range from new school supplies to funding for student field trips, and donations collected at the gala help to grant the wish.
Attendees will also be invited to play a game called Kahoot, which will give them a chance to experience firsthand the technology used in local classrooms.
This year’s gala will take place at 5:45 p.m. Sept. 29 at Adaggios Banquet Hall 5999 W Memory Lane of Greenfield.
The event is open to the public. Tickets cost $50 per person and include hors d’oeuvres and dinner.
Reservations are due Sept. 17 and can be mailed to the Greenfield Central School Foundation, Attn: Ginny Brown, 110 W. North Street, Greenfield, 46140.
For information, call 317-477-4103.
Donations are always accepted at www.gcschoolfoundation.org.
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