February’s Golden Apple Award Goes to Rick Wedlow

March 4, 2026

Hensley Legal Group, PC and WISH-TV are once again proud to announce the latest winner of the Golden Apple Award, Rick Wedlow of Indianapolis’s Lawrence North High School.

Shining a Light on Teachers

The Golden Apple Award honors Indiana educators who are making a difference in the classroom. Each month, a deserving teacher will receive a trophy, a video message from students and staff, a school supply shopping spree, and a $500 check from Hensley Legal Group.

HLG team member Ryan Kreicker and a WISH-TV camera crew recently dropped by Lawrence North to present February’s award to Mr. Wedlow, the leader of the school’s AVID program.

“We are always excited to help shine a light on teachers,” Ryan told Mr. Wedlow. “I am a former teacher myself, so I understand the struggles you have, and it is such a wonderful thing to hear about the stories of how you have impacted all of these students.”

“Keep Chopping Wood”

Short for “Advancement Via Individual Determination,” AVID was created to prepare kids for college and life after graduation, something that Mr. Wedlow knows quite a bit about.

After earning a degree from Earlham College in Richmond, IN, Mr. Wedlow went on to become a top RV salesman. But despite his professional achievements, his grandmother convinced him to seek new challenges in the field of education. He started out as a substitute teacher before joining AVID, where he tries to equip his students with the tools necessary for success.

In fact, Mr. Wedlow is famous at Lawrence North for his motto “Keep chopping wood,” a reminder to keep putting in the work each day, and it’s not simply a saying either. It’s a philosophy that constantly guides his efforts to foster a “college-going culture” by teaching teenagers how to take notes, craft resumes, and get organized.

Yet according to one of those teenagers, Mr. Wedlow’s first step is getting to know them one on one.

“He’s more than just a teacher,” explained 17-year-old Rowan Rebennack. “He’s like your best friend, basically. He purposefully builds a personal connection with every single student.”

“I Am Just Very Blessed”

This connection has been at the core of Mr. Wedlow’s approach to AVID from the beginning.

“It was our relationship that kept the class moving forward,” he recalled. “The kids got their applications done. I’m an Earlham grad, so I can write. If there’s one thing I can do, I’m a good writer, so we were able to write quality essays, and a lot of those kids were really good. So that was my inspiration.”

Mr. Wedlow draws inspiration everywhere he looks, including the Golden Apple Award itself, which his coworker won in September and which in turn made him want to be a better educator, though the job means much more to him than accolades.

“I am just very blessed to have wonderful young people like this who appreciate the love and support that we provide,” Mr. Wadlow said. “I am just blessed and thankful that when the Lord gave me this assignment, I accepted with fidelity, and this inspires me to continue to grow and get better.”

You can check out WISH-TV’s full segment on Mr. Wadlow’s award presentation below:

And if you know a teacher you think we should celebrate, head over to WISH-TV’s website and complete the Golden Apple Award nomination form.

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