Indy Standard

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is spotlighting alumni to showcase their diverse paths and achievements. Gary Evers, a 1999 graduate of Arsenal Technical High School, shared his journey with IPS. After high school, Evers pursued community advocacy and education. He now works for Indy Champions with the Indy Public Safety Foundation, teaching about healthy relationships and domestic violence awareness.

Evers also serves as a Neighborhood Education Advocate with Empowered Families and coordinates the NDC-IWU Bridge Initiative Partnership. His roles involve helping adults enroll at Indiana Wesleyan University and supporting students in overcoming graduation barriers.

Reflecting on his time at IPS, Evers appreciated the Vocational Career Center for imparting corporate America knowledge and leadership skills. Teachers like Art Dumas, Mrs. Kaiser, Mr. Williams, and Mrs. Brown had a significant impact on him by encouraging academic accountability.

After high school, Evers faced personal challenges but remained committed to his community work. He recalled excelling in automotive technology classes and business courses during his junior and senior years at IPS.

Despite obstacles such as incorrect guidance counseling and insufficient resources at schools like Emmerich Manual High School, Evers persevered by building strong relationships with teachers who held him accountable for his academic progress.

Evers advises current IPS students to seek resources for success and stay connected within the community. As a social worker, he advocates for youth empowerment through education on healthy relationships and mentoring.