Sometimes Making A Difference starts with something as simple as a paintbrush. For Franklin Central High School graduate Christina Hollering, it became an opportunity to give back to the FTCSC Flashes Community that first inspired her creativity.

If you have driven through downtown Wanamaker recently, you have probably noticed one of the newest additions to our community. What was once an ordinary silver traffic control box at the corner of Southeastern and Northeastern Avenues has been transformed into a vibrant work of art celebrating Wanamaker's history, traditions, and small-town charm.

From the iconic "Home of the Flashes" water tower landmark that reminded us that we were home for so many years, to rolling farm fields, classic cars celebrating Old Settlers Day, Wheatley's famous Fish Fry Fridays, Ordinary Pizza, King the Bull, and Big Run Creek, every side of the mural tells a piece of Wanamaker's story.

For Christina, however, this project was about much more than creating a beautiful piece of public art. It was about coming home.

A 2000 Franklin Central High School graduate, Christina now serves as an Associate Professor at Herron School of Art and Design while creating public art throughout the state of Indiana. Earlier this summer, she was selected through the Indy Arts Council's “Streetcorner Canvases” program to design and paint Wanamaker's traffic control box.

As she began creating the mural, Christina found herself reflecting on the people who helped shape her own journey. One person immediately came to mind: her former Franklin Central art teacher, Kathy Vogler.

"Kathy Vogler had the biggest impact on my life," Christina said. "She saw potential in me before I saw it in myself, constantly challenged me to grow, and gave me the confidence to believe in my abilities. She was the first teacher who told me I could actually have a career as an artist and encouraged me to consider art school. Looking back, that conversation completely changed the course of my life."

Like so many of our FTCSC Flashes Community Staff members, Mrs. Vogler did far more than teach a subject. She was Making A Difference in a student's life by helping Christina discover a future she had never imagined for herself.

Today, Christina credits her time in FTCSC with giving her far more than artistic skills. Through Purposeful Learning, she developed discipline, resilience, creative problem-solving skills, and the confidence to pursue a career doing what she loves. 

Those lessons came full circle in Wanamaker. Through Meaningful Collaboration with community members, Christina ensured the mural reflected what makes Wanamaker special. Local leaders MaryAnn Gerth, Heather Broda, and Jolene Sweetman shared ideas, stories, and memories that helped shape the final design. 

Along the way, they also discovered unexpected connections. MaryAnn learned that Christina's father had grown up on the same township road and that she had graduated from Franklin Central alongside Christina's uncle. It was another reminder of just how connected the FTCSC Flashes Community truly is.

Every image on the mural has a purpose. The classic cars celebrate Wanamaker's annual Old Settlers Day. Rolling fields recognize the area's agricultural heritage. King the Bull pays tribute to a longtime community landmark, while Wheatley's Fish Fry Fridays and Ordinary Pizza honor local favorites that generations of FTCSC Flashes Community families have enjoyed. Standing proudly above it all is the historic water tower, which reminded everyone that this is the "Home of the Flashes." 

For five days, Christina painted the mural while life continued around her. Drivers slowed down to admire the artwork. Some honked their horns or gave a thumbs-up as they passed. Others stopped to introduce themselves and share their personal stories about growing up in Wanamaker. Before long, the project became more than a mural. It became a conversation about our amazing FTCSC Flashes Community.

"It always feels like I'm collaborating with the community while leaving a small piece of myself in the painting," Christina said. "It's like creating a beautiful mosaic where the community's stories and my own experiences come together."

The mural is more than a beautiful piece of public art. It is a reminder of something much bigger. Years ago, one Franklin Central teacher Made A Difference by encouraging a student to dream bigger than she thought possible. Today, that student is using her talents to celebrate and strengthen the very community that helped shape her. That is the lasting impact of education. That is what it means to Make A Difference. 

And that is another example of what makes our FTCSC Flashes Community so special!