Congratulations to Terry Elkins of Mishawaka High School! He was voted by Tribune readers as the South Bend Tribune Student of the Week for Dec. 8. The school could not arrange a photo to be taken of Terry.

Winner: Terry Elkins, Mishawaka High School

Terry Elkins, Mishawaka High School: Terry is amazing and has grown up so much this past year. He is always looking for ways to help and to be kind! He moves desks when his friends in wheelchairs need room to sit and navigate the classroom. He reads and explains what he is seeing and experiencing to his one friend who is unable to see but is very interested in what is happening. I can always count on Terry to participate and to help others. He quietly avoids any negativity that may take place and even tries to solve situations in order to encourage others to feel better about themselves or the given situations. I am so proud of his progress and who he is becoming. Love that kid!

Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman, 33, posted a pair of photos on his Instagram to confirm his engagement to his longtime girlfriend, Chloe Henderson. 

The 33-year-old driver, who recently opened up about the mental health challenges of the sport, posted six top-five finishes over the course of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign —including second-place showings at both Homestead and Richmond — and ranked 13th in the points standings.

Bowman’s first photo featured him, his fiancée, and their two dogs. The second showed him down on one knee proposing to Henderson. The post was captioned, “Did a thing”. It comes after his owner, Rick Hendrick, wasted no time weighing in on NASCAR’s huge recent settlement. 

NASCAR, Team Hendrick, and Xfinity Racing joined a host of others in commenting and showing their love.

Bowman is without a win since the 2024 Grand Park 165, but his consistent style has seen him net 112 top 10 finishes across 357 career races.

The Hendrick driver also boasts eight career wins and seven poles. Bowman also owns a win in the Xfinity Series (now the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) in a decorated career.

His end-of-season results have remained remarkably consistent: Bowman hasn’t finished lower than 20th in the season-long points rankings since he was a part-time driver for Hendrick Motorsports in 2016.

Bowman, admittedly shy, hasn’t shared too many personal details about his relationship. However, he did tell a humorous story to Jeff Gluck of The Athletic about killing a snake — without much help from Henderson — that entered their home.

“I come running out, and Chloe is crying, and there’s a snake somewhere. I’m like, ‘Well, where is the snake?’ She’s like, ‘Well, I don’t know where the snake is, but there was a snake,'” Bowman shared.

“I spent like 45 minutes looking for the snake in the bedroom, because that’s the door that was open. And it’s not anywhere. I’m messing with her like, ‘Oh, the snake’s under your pillow. The snake’s in your nightstand.’

“She wouldn’t go anywhere near the bedroom door. She’s like, ‘I’m not going in there until you find the snake.’ Finally, I give up. I’m like, ‘OK, the snake’s not here.’ Then I turn around, and it is three feet in front of me,” he continued.

“I’m like, ‘Holy —. It’s not funny anymore! It’s actually in here. We gotta get this thing out.’ So I got the pool skimmer and picked it up, put it back in its natural habitat.”

MARTIN, MI –– Drag racing fans in Michigan, rejoice.

The wait is over.

For the first time in more than six decades, championship drag racing is set to return to the Great Lakes State.

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) announced it will host a national event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan, from Sept. 18-20 via a release on Monday –– marking the first-ever NHRA national event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park and the first NHRA national event held in Michigan since 1960.

Michigan last hosted an NHRA national event when Detroit Dragway –– now defunct –– welcomed the series before the NHRA U.S. Nationals moved permanently to Indianapolis in 1961.

“Hosting an NHRA national event underscores our continued commitment to excellence, safety and delivering unforgettable motorsports entertainment,” U.S. 131 Motorsports vice president of operations Jason Peterson said in a release. “We are honored to welcome the NHRA, its competitors, sponsors and fans, and we look forward to showcasing our facility, our staff and our passionate racing community that makes this region so special.”

The event, which is donned the Great Lakes Nationals, will serve as the opening race for the 2026 NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs –– the first of six postseason races.

U.S. 131 has earned a reputation as the “fastest track in Michigan,” drawing racing fans from all over the state –– including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Kalamazoo.

The track joined the NHRA Member Track Network as part of NHRA’s North Central Division (Division 3) last week, becoming eligible to offer racers in the area a variety of NHRA-sanctioned racing opportunities in the future.

A storied track, U.S. 131 was founded by John Grivins in 1962 and became a beloved Michigan drag strip that gained national attention for hosting big-time events. It saw a major renovation in 2002 and continues its rich traditions under new ownership and NHRA sanctioning.

From nitro matches and jet cars to a standout bracket racing scene, the track has become a marquee destination, making it a prime candidate to host an NHRA national event, per the NHRA’s release.

“We are thrilled to welcome U.S. 131 Motorsports Park to the NHRA national event schedule,” NHRA president Glen Cromwell said. “It’s a historic milestone for the facility and another terrific way to celebrate our 75^th anniversary season, bringing incredible action of NHRA drag racing to the passionate fan base in Michigan.”

The NHRA continues to place a large emphasis on its 75^th anniversary season, which includes four national event facilities during the 2026 campaign and a long list of premier national event tracks in 19 markets across the country.

“Opening the Countdown to the Championships at U.S. 131 will be extremely meaningful,” Cromwell said. “The track’s dedication to its races and fans, and its enthusiasm as a new NHRA member track makes it an excellent addition to the national tour.”

Tickets for the inaugural national event at U.S. 131 go on sale February 1.

U.S. 131 Motorsports Park will also host an NHRA national open on July 8-9, which leads into a Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional event on July 10-12.

NHRA continues to put some real muscle behind its 75th anniversary season, and one of the biggest additions for 2026 will come in the heart of the Midwest. U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan, has officially been added to the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule, hosting the inaugural NHRA Great Lakes Nationals on September 18–20, 2026.

Even bigger than the new market is where the race lands on the calendar. The Great Lakes Nationals will serve as the opening round of the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, marking the first of six races that will decide NHRA world championships next season. It will be the 15th of 20 national events during NHRA’s milestone 75th anniversary year.

Tickets for the inaugural national event at U.S. 131 go on sale February 1.

The announcement marks the first time NHRA will stage a national event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, making it one of four new national event facilities added to the 2026 schedule. It’s a clear signal that NHRA isn’t just celebrating its history in 2026, it’s continuing to expand its national footprint.

For the Peterson family, who have owned and operated the track for more than two decades, hosting an NHRA national event has been a long-standing goal. U.S. 131 Motorsports Park has earned its reputation as “The Fastest Track in Michigan,” drawing racers and fans from Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo, and beyond.

“Hosting an NHRA national event underscores our continued commitment to excellence, safety, and delivering unforgettable motorsports entertainment,” said Jason Peterson, vice president of operations at U.S. 131. “We are honored to welcome the NHRA, its competitors, sponsors, and fans, and we look forward to showcasing our facility, our staff, and our passionate racing community that makes this region so special.”

The Great Lakes Nationals also plays a key role in reshaping the Countdown itself. The first two playoff races in 2026 will both be held at new Mission Foods Drag Racing Series venues. Following the Michigan event, the series heads to the historic Rockingham Dragway for the NHRA Nationals at The Rock. Those races come after additional first-time national event stops earlier in the season at South Georgia Motorsports Park on May 1–3 and Maryland International Raceway on May 29–31.

From a competition standpoint, opening the Countdown at a fresh venue adds another layer of unpredictability to the championship hunt, something drivers and teams will need to factor heavily into their playoff strategy.

NHRA President Glen Cromwell sees the Michigan addition as both a celebration and a statement about the sport’s future. “We are thrilled to welcome U.S. 131 Motorsports Park to the NHRA national event schedule in 2026,” Cromwell said. “It’s a historic milestone for the facility and another terrific way to celebrate our 75th anniversary season, bringing the incredible action of NHRA drag racing to the passionate fan base in Michigan.”

Cromwell added that launching the Countdown at U.S. 131 reflects NHRA’s broader commitment to growth. “The track’s dedication to its racers and fans, and its enthusiasm as a new NHRA Member Track, makes it an excellent addition to the national tour. We look forward to launching the Countdown there in 2026.”

With championship stakes, a first-time venue, and a Midwest fan base that’s long supported high-level drag racing, the inaugural NHRA Great Lakes Nationals is shaping up to be one of the most significant new events on the 2026 schedule.

DANCERS PERFORM — The ballet class at the Sycamore Youth Center, above, performed for audiences to showcase what they learned during the fall semester. Dancers included, from left, front, Gretl Nelson, Faye Lash, Piper Manuel and Ellie Janik; and back, instructor Diana Tygett, Luna Dickey, Zoe Nelson, Teibe Banga and Laura Schlich. Students also included Eden Graham, Emmie Graham, Elise Graham, Miriam Zaleski and Geneva Terry. Below, students who took part in the jazz dance class and performed included, from left, Manuel, Lash, Tygett, Zaleski, Schlich, Cana Frank, and Dickey. Emma and Elise Graham took the class as well.
— Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The Sycamore Youth Center held its end-of-semester ballet and jazz dance recitals Dec. 1, giving students the opportunity to showcase what they learned this fall in the center’s free programs. Classes are taught each week by longtime instructor Diana Tygett, whose dedication and encouragement have helped the young dancers grow in skill and confidence.

The ballet class performed a graceful routine demonstrating their progress in technique and foundational movement. Dancers included: Luna Dickey, Zoe Nelson, Teibe Banga, Laura Schlich, Gretl Nelson, Faye Lash, Piper Manuel, Ellie Janik, Miriam Zaleski, Geneva Terry and Eden, Emmie and Elise Graham.

Tygett shared how the ballet class focuses on technique and personal development.

“The girls learned basic ballet positions, technique and strengthening, while increasing their confidence and abilities,” she explained. “Watching them grow in grace, poise and courage each week has been a joy.”

The jazz dance class presented an upbeat routine featuring a variety of jazz styles and steps during the performance. Students taking the class included Piper Manuel, Faye Lash, Diana Tygett, Miriam Zaleski, Laura Schlich, Cana Frank, and Luna Dickey, Emmie Graham and Elise Graham.

Tygett emphasized the jazz class blends structure with creativity.

“The girls learned jazz techniques and steps to a variety of styles in a fun and engaging way,” she said.

Sycamore Youth Center Executive Director Bobbyjon Bauman praised the students and their instructor, saying, “We are incredibly proud of these young dancers and thankful for Diana’s outstanding leadership. Providing free arts opportunities allows children to develop their gifts in a supportive environment, and today’s recitals showed how much they have grown.”

The Sycamore Youth Center serves more than 500 kindergarten through 12th-grade students weekly through more than 40 free classes and programs, including dance, art, music, tutoring, leadership training and life skills.