Ellie Streveler loves to hear where her friends from the Class of 2025 will be heading this fall.
She says it’s one of her favorite things– hearing about her Greenfield-Central classmates reaching for their dreams.
It’s no wonder for the student who dipped her toes into so many extracurricular activities that she made hundreds of personal connections.
“It’s exciting to see where everyone is going,” she said, smile beaming with joy.
Streveler exemplifies Greenfield-Central’s “Profile of a Graduate”– traits students strive for throughout their years at the school corporation. And while she certainly exceeds the traits of Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Lifelong Learning and Character, those who know her best say her Citizenship stands out the most– through kindness.
Throughout her high school career, Ellie Streveler has been making her mark by simple, quiet acts of care.
“One of the most admirable qualities about Ellie is her kindness,” says Maggie Walters, GCHS literature teacher. “She is really just a sweet person. She is kind to those around her and goes out of her way to say, ‘Hi’ to random people in the halls, compliment students she’s never spoken to and regularly wears a smile. Ellie has the type of personality and demeanor that just makes people feel good, and this radiates off of her.”
As Streveler joined about 300 classmates at commencement, it’s bittersweet to close one chapter but exciting to hear about the plans of the classmates she’s grown so close to.
Choir was her forte, but over the years she also spent time in color guard, National Honor Society, Student Council and Interact Club.
Outside school walls, she has volunteered at the local food pantry and was also named the 2024 Riley Festival Queen. She even started “Felt & Needle,” a club offering free sewing lessons to children.
Streveler is the daughter of Jeff and Janette Streveler. For the first time in years, all three Streveler children were at the same school: her brother Bradley was a sophomore, and her brother Grant, a freshman.
A lifelong Greenfield resident, Streveler credits GC schools and teachers who have mentored her along the way for her great experience in the community.
“There are so many things you can dip your toes into, and every opportunity is so welcoming,” she said. “There are clubs where, if I could have had time, that would have been a great club to be in. I’m really excited to go out into the world, but it’s also hard because there are so many connections I don’t want to leave.”
As a young child, Streveler enjoyed the close-knit Eden Elementary School and to this day, still remembers the students at the high school that were part of the corporation’s smallest elementary school. She attended Maxwell Intermediate School before heading to Greenfield Central Junior High and then GCHS.
Her favorite subject has always been science, and she plans to attend Indiana University Indianapolis to double major in biology and chemistry.
Her goal is to attend medical school and become an anatomical pathologist, where she can help medical professionals diagnose problems. She loves the idea of working behind the scenes in medicine.
“I have always been passionate about and the medical field fits within my aspirations of helping others and making a positive change in the world around me through something that I love,” she said.
Inspirational teachers have included Maggie Walters and Heather Berrier, both of whom have a deep passion for their subjects and can dig into discussions while still using humor and making personal bonds.
Greenfield educators say Streveler is an extremely hard worker who is constantly engaged.
“She is incredibly intelligent, hardworking, and willing to participate in a variety of activities that we offer at GCHS,” said Superintendent Dr. Harold Olin. “We are going to truly miss her at the high school.”
A color-coded calendar was Streveler’s saving grace in juggling all of her extracurricular activities, community volunteer time and even a part-time job.
Highlights of recent years include receiving the grand championship title for show choir; performing the national anthem at a Pacers game with her choir; and earning the leadership role as Madrigal Queen. She loved performing at madrigal dinners at Christmastime, and says joining choir introduced her to her best friends.
Dan Walbaum, principal of Greenfield-Central High School, says the Class of 2025 was so welcoming to him in his first days as principal of GC this school year.
“They are strong students, athletes, musicians, performers, and so on, but they also have equally strong character and a lot of pride in their school,” Walbaum said. “Even the long-time faculty members here have commented on the strengths of this senior class.”
Streveler is among many who hit all the marks of the desired profile of a GC graduate, Walbaum added.
“She may not know this, but I happened to observe Ellie talking to a choir classmate before the senior send-off concert,” Walbaum said. “I could tell I was walking by at an awkward moment, but I distinctly heard Ellie encouraging the nervous girl by saying, ‘You’ve got this.’ She leads through her words and her example. Ellie has had an incredible school experience and has made this school better just by being here and being herself.”
By Maribeth Vaughn
Ellie, pictured center, after being crowned the 2024 Riley Festival Queen. Principal Dan Wabaum said, “Ellie has had an incredible school experience and has made this school better just by being here and being herself.” picture by Tom Russo | Daily Reporter
