House District 94 update for the week of 10/4
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As a board member of the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust, this year I was proud to coauthor a bill that requires facilities to take breast tissue density into account when performing a mammogram.
Traditional mammography doesn’t always catch the cancer, particularly for women with a higher density breast tissue. This bill gives more women a better chance at early detection, which increases the survival rate by 93%. A mammogram alone may not be enough to catch cancer before it has a chance to develop into stage three or stage four. We need to do everything we can to give Hoosier women the best chance of survival.
Additionally, this bill expands the definition of breast reconstruction to include aesthetic flat closure and chest wall reconstruction. Survivors of breast cancer deserve the dignity of breast reconstruction after enduring painful treatment to win their battle against cancer. By adding chest wall reconstruction and aesthetic flat closure to the definition of breast reconstruction, most insurance agencies will cover the procedure. This will allow survivors to rebuild their lives after cancer with less discomfort.
For more information on the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust, please visit this site and consider purchasing the specialized license plate which funds services that directly assist women.
Pike Township High School teacher, Graciela Miranda, named as 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year (INTOY)
Last Friday, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced Graciela Miranda as the 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year (INTOY). Mrs. Miranda teaches English language learners from freshman to senior year at Pike High School.
I am unbelievably proud to have the 2025 Teacher of the Year, Graciela Miranda, in my district. When the top three finalists were announced, I had the pleasure of sitting in on Mrs. Miranda’s class while she went through a lesson. It was remarkable to see her passion for education and creating life-long learners shine through as she spoke to her class. In that lesson, Mrs. Miranda used her own upbringing as a first-generation college graduate to impart on her students that there is nothing they cannot achieve if they work hard and dream big.
What stood out most to me about Mrs. Miranda was how deeply she cares for each and every student. It was clear that her students see that as well. After the announcement on Friday, I was touched to see a group of her students run up to Mrs. Miranda and pull her into a big group hug. The reaction from all the students in the room just shows that Mrs. Miranda is seen as an inspiring figure throughout the school.
With over 64,000 teachers in our state, it is an honor to have one of Pike High School’s own recognized as the best. Congratulations, Mrs. Miranda! Thank you for all that you do for your students and our community.
Central Indiana Electric Vehicle Showcase
On October 5 from 12 to 5 p.m., the City of Indiana and Carmel are hosting the Central Indiana EV Showcase located at St. Luke's United Methodist Church - 100 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46260. This event will bring together informational groups like Greater Indiana, Dealerships, EV Drivers, and other E-mobility vendors to provide information about EV charging, vehicles, federal tax credits, and projects happening around the state. You can find more information, including a video from last year's event, on the event page linked here: Central Indiana EV Showcase.
Homebuyer’s Ownership Program
Don’t miss out on the next Homebuyer’s Ownership Program at the Julia M Carson Government Center! The next opportunity is Wednesday, October 8. This workshop helps people looking to buy a home expand their knowledge about protecting their investment, understand and develop a budget, find fair housing resources and credit counseling. The program runs from 6:15 to 8:30 pm. There will be complimentary childcare and dinner. Email cira.nareb@gmail.com to register.
Mental Health America School Violence Panel Luncheon
On October 9, Mental Health America of Indiana will be hosting a Panel Luncheon at Martin University to help parents who worry about school violence. MHA is here to support you and your family as you navigate the emotional and mental health impacts of school shootings and other violent incidents for both youth and parents. The Luncheon Panel will have discussion points around preventing school violence and supporting schools impacted by these incidents. Experts will discuss current efforts, including statewide programs and community initiatives working to enhance safety and provide mental health support to students. To register, click the link here. For additional resources, visit: Indiana School Safety Hub or Central Indiana Stop School Violence Initiative.
CenterWell October Events Calendar
I want to share with you all the October events calendar for CenterWell Senior Care on Lafayette Road. The facility celebrates its first birthday this month! See below for a list of fun events for the whole family.
Internship Opportunity
Applications to intern with the Indiana House Democratic Caucus for the upcoming 2025 legislative session are now open! Our internship program allows the chance to gain hands-on experience in a variety of fields while helping legislators pass bills that impact the lives of Hoosiers across the state.
The program is a spring internship and is open to college sophomores and recent graduates. Opportunities are available to intern in legislative and constituent services, policy analysis, fiscal analysis, communications and the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus.
Government touches all aspects of our society. This program helps young professionals develop valuable skills while opening doors to a variety of career paths including business, advocacy work, public service, law and more. All internships are full-time, paid positions. Deadline to apply is Oct. 31, with the priority deadline on Oct. 15.
Register to vote today!
Indiana’s voter registration deadline is quickly approaching! Make sure to register to vote before Monday, Oct. 7. Voting is one of the most important actions you can take to ensure that your voice is heard and you are represented in our democracy. To register to vote, check your registration status, see a list of candidates on the ballot, find information about early voting or find polling locations near you, visit indianavoters.gov.