Nolan Ackerman, a seventh-grader at Carmel Middle School, won first place in the instrumental solo division at this year’s Indiana State Fair Youth Talent Show, Senior Division. He had previously won the same division at the Hamilton County Fair Youth Talent Show to advance to the State Fair. Ackerman plays percussion in the school band, and he takes percussion lessons from Jeffrey Nearpass of Carmel, who encouraged him to participate in the talent shows, where he played the song “Sabre Dance” on the marimba to win. His efforts were rewarded with a blue ribbon, a plaque and a $100 savings bond.
