By Al Stilley
Senior staff writer

Cameron Cardenas, the No. 2 scorer in school history, returned to Beech Grove High School where she was honored earlier this month with the retirement of her North-South All-Star jersey. Cardenas, a freshman at Marian University, also received a plaque listing her accomplishments as a four-year Hornets girls basketball standout.

​The 5-10 player scored 1,709 points, second only to 2003 Miss Indiana Basketball Katie Gearlds, her coach at Marian. Cardenas averaged 23 points per game during her senior year and 19 points for her career. She ranks third in all-time Hornet steals (403) and assists (307).

During the presentation ceremony, Beech Grove coach Kristen Raker said, “She brought back a passion for the game that had been missing. Cameron was the ultimate team player… She put Beech Grove girls’ basketball back on the map.”

Cardenas has played in 19 games this season for the Knights. She is an elementary education major. During her senior year in high school, she served as a cadet teacher with coach Raker. Her North-South All-Star jersey is part of a display in the high school’s athletics lobby along with Gearlds’ Indiana All-Star jersey and memorabilia.

The lobby also features Gary Raker who played at Beech Grove and was an Indiana All-Star. He is the father of coach Raker. Cardenas was a four-time Indiana Crossroads all-conference team selection. She was a two-time IHSAA state finals qualifier in the 200-meter dash as a freshman and sophomore before she focused solely on basketball.

She was a four-year honor roll student at Beech Grove and a National Honor Society inductee. At Marian, she has played in 19 games for the Knights with former Hornet teammate Katie Giller.

By B. Scott Mohr
Southsider Voice correspondent

Christmas miracles do come true ... just ask Michele Campbell of the Beech Grove Moose Lodge. When learning in November that the lodge’s board voted to close Jan. 2, she and some of her fellow female members vowed not to go down without a fight.

“There was a group of women and families that didn’t want to see it close, so we wrote letters to International (the governing body) and District headquarters telling them that many members were really willing to help keep it open,” Campbell said, “and they listened to us. We have a new board, and we have six months to prove we can turn the club around.”

Campbell said the board has a great attitude.

“These guys will work. We will clean the lodge throughout and paint it. Everyone is coming in and wanting to know what they can do. “We have good leadership. Rick Skirvin is a new board member. He owns Night Owls (a bar) in Beech Grove. He’ll help to run this place like a business.”

The board will also rely on the knowledge of longtime member Jerry Erisman.

“He really knows the workings of the lodge,” Campbell said. “We are very optimistic. We are working well together.”

Chartered in 1962, the club, 3320 S. Emerson Ave., (317-7873139) is known for its camaraderie and philanthropic activities, most notably its Toys for Tots and Christmas programs for the needy.

“We also have Christmas, Easter and Halloween parties for the children. We also work with senior citizens and are involved with the community year-round,” said Campbell, who is excited that the club is reintroducing some of its old programs.

“We are looking forward to meeting prospective members at a meet and greet at 2 p.m. Saturday. “We are going to serve food and have entertainment on the weekends. The menu includes all-you-can eat fish and other good food.”

And since Campbell’s Christmas miracle came true, she sees no reason why the lodge won’t be open for a visit from Santa come December.