Community News

Century of Heritage: Celebrating 100 Years of Family in Westfield

Student Startups Shine in Final Round of WHS Innovation Competition

The energy was high on May 15 as five student-led business teams took the stage for the final round of Westfield High School’s 2024 Innovation Competition. After months of preparation and two rounds of pitches, these finalists had one last chance to impress a panel of judges and compete for $10,000 in seed funding.

The competition, now in its fourth year, is part of Westfield’s growing entrepreneurship program, led by teacher John Moore. This year’s record-breaking event saw 81 teams and 163 students participate, culminating in a live finale that brought together creativity, business acumen, and real-world support.

The five finalist teams were:

Doo Dissolver– Drew Miller and Anderson Schaaf
Everfresh– Alexander Cavalcanti and Charles Head
Lock & Leaf– Maggie Pasztor and Garrett Tucker
Play Away– Amaya Buckley, Anna Loane, and Maya Menard
Smilo– Ritvik Bhatia and Rayan Elbanhawy

The final round judges represented the competition’s generous sponsors, each contributing $2,000 toward the prize pool:

Matt Marvel – Ball State University
Claire Gelinas – City of Westfield
Adam Pleva – Community First Bank of Indiana
Birch Dalton – EdgeRock Development
Danica L. Eyler – Webster & Garino LLC

After hearing each team’s pitch, the judges selected the top three ventures:

🥇Everfresh (Alexander Cavalcanti and Charles Head) – $8,500
🥈Doo Dissolver (Drew Miller and Anderson Schaaf) – $1,000
🥉Play Away (Amaya Buckley, Anna Loane, and Maya Menard) – $500

With innovative ideas and polished presentations, all five finalist teams showed what’s possible when students are given the space to create, build, and lead. The competition not only rewards winning concepts—it fosters a mindset of entrepreneurship that will benefit these students long after high school.

Accounting for the Future: How Westﬁeld High School Prepares Students to Be Life Ready

We had the opportunity to sit down with Traci Selig, one of Westﬁeld High School’s exceptional educators, to learn more about the school’s Accounting Pathway and the impact it’s making on students’ futures. With deep industry knowledge and a passion for student growth, Mrs. Selig is leading the charge to equip students with real-world ﬁnancial skills and a clear path toward success in college and careers.  
At Westﬁeld Washington Schools, preparing students to be Life Ready is more than a mission—it’s a daily commitment. Through intentional academic pathways and a focus on high levels of learning for each student, the district ensures graduates are equipped with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. One powerful example is the Accounting Pathway at Westﬁeld High School—a rigorous, forward-thinking program that blends college-level coursework with hands-on experience.  
At the heart of this program is Traci Selig, a Certiﬁed Public Accountant and experienced educator who brings both technical expertise and authentic enthusiasm to her classroom. Her journey from corporate ﬁnance to high school teaching was inspired by a desire to make a difference and share her love for accounting with the next generation.  
“I grew up on Long Island and took a dual credit accounting class in high school,” Selig shared. “I had a phenomenal teacher—shout out to Ms. Sommers!—and I found it genuinely interesting. At 16, I ﬁgured being a CPA could lead to a solid career and, in my teenage logic, more concert tickets.”  
That early interest grew into an impressive academic path. Selig earned both her Bachelor of Science and MBA from Indiana University through its prestigious 3/2 Accounting Program. In 2005, she became a CPA in New York and later added four additional certiﬁcations: CISA (Certiﬁed Information Systems Auditor), CISM (Certiﬁed Information Security Manager), CIPT (Certiﬁed Information Privacy Technologist), and CIPM (Certiﬁcate in Investment Performance Measurement). Her professional background includes IT audit, system implementation, and compliance work across various industries.  
“My certiﬁcations help me connect ﬁnance with technology, security, and privacy,” she explained. “That’s exactly what I bring to the classroom—real-world context for everything we’re learning.”  
A Rigorous, College-Level Pathway  
The Accounting Pathway at Westﬁeld High School is a four-course sequence designed to give students both foundational knowledge and advanced skills. It begins with Principles of Business, moves into Accounting Fundamentals (ACCT 201) and Advanced Accounting (ACCT 202)—both dual credit courses offered through Ball State University—and concludes with a Capstone experience that includes a college-level Introduction to Business and Spreadsheets course.  
“These are the same accounting classes business majors take in their freshman year,” Selig explained. “We’re giving students the chance to master content, gain conﬁdence, and even earn college credit before they graduate.”  
Students in these courses use accounting simulation software and Excel to analyze ﬁnancial data, interpret trends, and present business insights—skills that are vital in today’s data-driven economy.  
From the Classroom to the Real World  
The Capstone course, co-led by Career Coach Michelle Goudy, provides students with hands-on exposure through internships, shadowing, and guest speakers. Recent partnerships include CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), Watson CPAs, Crowe, and the Indiana CPA Society. One standout student, Charlie Naas, even secured a paid summer internship at CLA.  
“We’re showing students what’s possible,” Selig said. “Whether it’s a part-time job, a shadow day, or a formal internship, they leave our program with a deeper understanding of the profession—and themselves.”
 The program also includes ﬁeld trips, like the visit to Bar Keeper’s Friend/Servaas Labs, where students explored real-world product costing in a manufacturing setting.  
Student Impact and Alumni Success  
When Selig ﬁrst began teaching at WHS, only 37 students were enrolled in accounting courses. Last year, that number grew to 90, and enrollment is projected to reach 110 in 2025–2026.  
Even after graduation, the impact continues. WHS alumni are pursuing business and accounting degrees at top institutions including Indiana University, Purdue, Ball State, Butler, the University of Tennessee, and Miami University in Ohio.  
“One of the best moments this year was when four of our graduates—now sophomores at IU—came back to speak to our accounting classes,” Selig said. “Three are now studying
accounting, and they shared what college is really like. It made the path feel real and achievable for our students.”  
Life-Ready Skills for All  
Even students who don’t pursue accounting beneﬁt from the pathway. “Accounting is the language of business,” Selig said. “No matter your ﬁeld—marketing, entrepreneurship, ﬁnance—you need to understand how money moves through a business.”  
Students walk away with real-world skills in ﬁnancial literacy, data analysis, budgeting, and problem-solving, all while developing soft skills like communication and professionalism.  
And for those unsure if it’s the right ﬁt? Selig has some advice:

“If you’re even thinking about studying business, take accounting with Mrs. S! You might surprise yourself.”
 A Growing Future, Supported by Community  
Westﬁeld High School is currently the only high school in Indiana offering both Financial and Managerial Accounting through Ball State University—a unique distinction made possible by support from BSU partners Ann Reichle and Dan Royer.  
As the program grows, so does the need for community engagement. “We’re looking for partners who are willing to open their doors,” Selig said. “Speaking to students, offering internships, or even hosting a ﬁeld trip—these experiences are invaluable.”  
At Westﬁeld Washington Schools, students are not only preparing for tests—they’re preparing for life. And thanks to programs like the Accounting Pathway, they’re getting a head start on a future ﬁlled with opportunity.

From Bucket Brigade to Modern Guardians: The Legacy of Westfield’s Firefighters

Long before the sleek red fire engines and high-tech equipment of today, Westfield’s firefighting efforts began with a handful of determined citizens, wooden buckets, and a shared commitment to protecting their neighbors. The story of the Westfield-Washington Township Fire Department is not just one of organizational growth—it’s a testament to the resilience, courage, and evolving spirit of a community that takes care of its own.  

The earliest forms of fire response in Westfield date back to the mid-1800s. In a town founded by Quakers and steeped in values of cooperation and mutual aid, neighbors banded together to battle blazes using bucket brigades, often drawing water from nearby wells or creeks. These early efforts were informal, but they reflected a deeply rooted community ethic: when disaster strikes, you act.  

Westfield took a major step forward in 1904 when the town formally organized its first fire department and purchased a hand-drawn chemical engine. R.E. Johnson was named the first fire chief, and early equipment was stored in simple facilities throughout the town. Volunteers responded to alarms on foot, often using hand-drawn carts and basic tools to combat flames.  

As the town expanded, so did its fire service. In the mid-20th century, the department acquired its first motorized fire engine and built a dedicated firehouse near downtown. Still staffed by volunteers, the department quickly became a fixture of Westfield life. Firefighters not only responded to emergencies but also organized community events, participated in parades, and taught fire safety in local schools.  

Today, the Westfield-Washington Township Fire Department operates out of three stations strategically located throughout the community. With a dedicated team of career firefighters and paramedics, the department handles not only fires but also medical emergencies, hazardous material incidents, vehicle rescues, and disaster preparedness. Its personnel are known for their professionalism and commitment to ongoing training, ensuring that the department keeps pace with a growing population and changing public safety needs.  

Despite the many changes over the years, the department’s core spirit remains unchanged. Generations of Westfield families have had at least one member serve as a firefighter, continuing a tradition of service passed down like a family heirloom. Community outreach is still a central pillar of the department’s mission. From visiting classrooms to hosting the annual Fire Prevention Open House, today’s firefighters carry forward the same neighborly ethos that inspired the bucket brigades of the past.  

There are stories—some dramatic, others quietly powerful—that illustrate the department’s lasting impact. There’s the tale of the 1988 barn fire on Mule Barn Road, where volunteers battled flames through the night to save surrounding structures. Or the countless times firefighters have shown up not just to provide emergency care, but to comfort children, rescue pets, or shovel snow from a driveway for an elderly resident.  

The Westfield-Washington Township Fire Department’s legacy is measured not only in years of service but in trust earned. For well over a century, they’ve responded not only to alarms but to the unspoken promise of community: that when we take care of each other, we all thrive.