Myrna Thompson
Standing in the lobby dressed in a thick fur coat, Thompson had come to the gubernatorial inauguration Monday at Hilbert Circle Theatre with her friend Nyla Kester. As a volunteer and homeschool teacher to her children, Thompson is interested in bills focusing on charter schools and public funding that can provide more options to young children.
Thompson grew up in Wisconsin and recognizes the liberality in that state but appreciates the freedom Indiana has given her since she has moved here.
“I want the government to give more power back to the people and not be so centralized,” said Thompson.
—Chloe White
Nyla Kester
Standing with her friend Myrna Thompson in the Hilbert lobby, Kester wore bold red lipstick. She is an Indianapolis-based flower designer with the company McNamara Florist. She also works as a volunteer guardian ad litem who helps represent children in court. Through her work, Kester has seen flaws in the system.
“I would like to see more involvement with foster programs, so there is more support in the foster programs, and there is more funding so that if someone wants to adopt there is more funding there for them,” said Kester.
—Chloe White
David Girton
As the theatre emptied around him, David Girton stood alone resting against a handrail.
Born and raised in Indianapolis, Girton is the senior vice president of municipal finance at Blaylock Van, an investment bank. As a graduate from Indiana University, Girton also uses his knowledge as founder of the Indiana Project, teaching minority children how to pass the appropriate exams to work on Wall Street. (More information can be found here.)
“I’m an IPS [Indianapolis Public Schools] graduate. I served on the IPS board when I was younger,” said Girton. “Education is very important.”
—Chloe White
Greg Ostendorf
Lawyer Greg Ostendorf works in business and commercial law with Scopelitis. At the inauguration on Monday at Hilbert Circle Theatre, Ostendorf said he feels hopeful about the new administration but wishes it was less polarized. He also agrees with Mike Braun’s goals but thinks the state’s legislators have misplaced ideas.
“There are way too many things that should not be prioritized in our legislature. I just don’t see a need for it, and I think Mike will be taking care of those,” said Ostendorf.
—Chloe White
Bill Wiesehan
Blue-jeans-wearing Bill Wiesehan was in attendance at Monday’s inauguration to support his wife of 20 years, Peggy Wiesehan, who is a member of the Celebration Singers. The group performed prior to the inauguration’s closing remarks. Peggy, an alto of the group, also holds a secretarial position.
Bill noted that he’s only somewhat into politics but that he thought Mike Braun has done a good job in his previous positions.
“I’m hoping everything goes good [now],” he said.
—Chloe White
Jil Helton
Jil Helton was among the first people you saw when entering Hilbert Circle Theatre to be seated Monday morning. Helton was in attendance with her fellow Indiana National Guard and Air Guard officers. Before the ceremony, they could be found moving about the room helping people to their seats.
Helton was excited to see the diverse groups of people showing up. This was the first inauguration she had attended herself.
“It’s nice to see some people that influence our community and the state here and shake some hands with people you wouldn’t normally get to meet,” she said.
“So that’s sort of why it’s a nice opportunity for the National Guard, because they finally get to see us. They don’t usually get to see us training, and we don’t usually get to see them doing their job, so it’s a good way to meet and greet back and forth.”
—Jasmine Walker
Emma Howard
Emma Howard is the friendly face who helps if you are lost, trying to find the bathroom or asking a general question involving Hilbert Circle Theatre. When not working Monday’s inauguration, she is a part-time member of a bigger coordination team that does all the behind-the-scenes work for the theatre.
“Fitting that my job is in operations,” she said. “I am kind of interested in seeing just how it works as a whole. I’ve never been to something like this big, in a room full of personalities; it’s really interesting.”
Howard said she hopes the incoming administration takes Hoosiers into consideration—“listening to their constituents as far as the people go and really hearing the people on what they need and don’t need.”
—Jasmine Walker
Terry Dove-Pittman
Terry Dove-Pittman was not new to this rodeo. She has attended a total of five inaugurations in her lifetime. As a Black woman business owner, she is heavily involved with what is and isn’t going on with Indiana’s laws and anything that could affect her in any way, she said.
“This inauguration, for me, makes me want to get more in action than any other one because we have to protect businesses that are women owned, that are Black owned,” she says. “We have to protect our opportunities in this country, so I am excited that we finally have a governor that is actually a businessman. But now it’s time to get to work.”
Pittman said she is very hopeful for the future for Hoosiers under Braun, Beckwith and Attorney General Todd Rokita.
“I think it’s a time when we can start making millions,” she said. “If what was said on that podium was for everyone in the door, then it should be a good year, a good four years for a lot of people.”
—Jasmine Walker