WABASH- The Wabash Kiwanis Club Handed out the Midwest Eye Self-Reliance Awards at a ceremony in the Honeywell Center on Tuesday May 15th. The goal of this program is to recognize young people who have demonstrated self-reliance. Many of these students may or may not be recognized for either academic or athletic ability, but they certainly deserve to be honored for their accomplishments dealing with life’s challenges.
The self-reliant qualities of the winning finalists are demonstrated through contributions to family, church, school, community service or employment, and while we may often hear about shortcomings of our young people, there are success stories not being told. These young citizens have established high, but attainable goals, and then applied themselves toward achieving those goals through their self-reliance. That’s what the Self-Reliance award is all about: “Doing your best with the resources available to you.”
The Kiwanis recognized all of the efforts that made the awards possible. First and foremost are the guests who have accompanied our honorees today. Even though these students are self-reliant, this does not mean they are alone. Parents, relatives, teachers, employers and friends have come to help us honor these young people. Without their support, many of our honorees would not be recognized today.
Many of their award recipients have had a school official with an eye on them for these awards, for sometimes years in advance. In addition to getting them an application, these school officials often personally compose the letter of reference for these applicants.Thank you school officials.
Once all of the applications are received, the Wabash Kiwanis Club begins reading, evaluating and organizing all of the applications, and then scheduling interviews. Kiwanis alone has the responsibility of determining the winning finalists. Thank you Kiwanians.
Now for a bit of history. 2018 marks the 29th consecutive year that the Wabash community has honored area young people through these self-reliance awards. But this award had humble beginnings in Van Wert, Ohio in 1970. Launched by Kennedy Manufacturing, the self-reliance program was brought to our community through MarkHon, a manufacturer once located in Wabash. Following the departure of MarkHon, Beauchamp McSpadden, now known as InGuard, continued the program until two years ago. At that time, the Wabash Kiwanis Club, combined with the support of several area companies, stepped forward to make sure the goal of continuing the Self-Reliance award in Wabash is attained. This year Midwest Eye Consultants stepped up to sponsor these awards and we appreciate their support
The students honored Wednesday have demonstrated self-reliance. Through their contributions to family, church, school, community service, or employment, they have shown an often unrecognized attribute – self-reliance. Except for the sons and daughters of Wabash Kiwanis Club members and employees of Midwest Eye Consultants, all high school seniors in Wabash County are eligible to compete for these awards. Applications were received this year from North Manchester, Southwood, and Wabash.
Today they presented cash awards to all fourfinalists. Each finalist will receive a certificate and a cash award of $2,000. The cash awards are presented with no strings attached and may be used by the recipients for any purpose as he or she may choose.
We all know that today’s youth face a unique set of problems and challenges. The news tells of our problems, but I invite you to take a good look at these young people. In a few moments you will hear of their challenges and triumphs. You will gain a new perspective on how some of our youth are overcoming obstacles and difficulties while striving to be the best that they can be. Midwest Eye Consultant’s president Greg Garner and Beth Miller, Committee chair, will present a Certificate and a check for $2,000 to each of our honorees.
Kassie Burchett is a senior at Wabash High School. She has three sisters and four brothers. She had to grow up early because one of her sisters was diagnosed with brain cancer at an early age and fought several years before losing her battle with the disease. Kassie remembers spending summers and holidays in the hospital with her sister. Watching her sister and the medical teams work so hard made a big impression on Kassie. She plans to attend Butler University after graduation where she will major in Biochemistry. Her next step will be medical school where she hopes to eventually become a surgeon so she can help extend the lives of people battling cancer. Kassie is well on the way to achieving her goals. She currently has 35 college credits that will put her one year ahead in college.
Kassie spends her time outside of school working 40 hours a week at Taco Bell and has also worked for Wabash Carnegie Public Library. She is also very active in “Kick it for Karsyn” a fundraising event in honor of her sister. The money raised by this event is donated to Riley Children’s Hospital.
For her demonstrated self-reliance at home, at school and in the community, the committee awarded a certificate and check for $2000 to Kassandra Mae Burchett.
Noah Cressell is a senior at Wabash High School. He is the oldest of seven children. He states that he hasn’t had a typical home life. He helps at home by helping get his brothers and sisters ready for school in the mornings and helping them with homework after school. He is always there for his family and wants to be a positive role model. After graduation he plans to attend North Dakota State University and study Accounting.
Noah has played football and been a member of the FCA program but his real love is wrestling. The sport has helped him learn to battle through adversity, build character, and most importantly create the life-long relationships he has with his mentors, coaches, teachers and friends. He volunteers as an assistant coach for the middle school wrestling team where he mentors younger students. He was able to achieve his athletic goal of beingn one of the top three wrestlers in his weight class in the IHSAA state wrestling tournament. He will continue his wrestling career at college.
For his demonstrated self-reliance at home, at school and in the community, the committee is awarded a certificate and check for $2000 to Noah Andrew Cressell.
Kaitlyn Jones is a senior at Southwood High School. Life hasn’t always been easy for Kaitlyn but she has made the most of her high school years. She has been a cheerleader, member of the student congress, member of Junior and Senior Class Cabinets, and Wabash County 4-H club member and Junior Leader. She has also danced for many years with Wabash Valley Dance Theatre and Dance Experience. After graduation she plans to attend IUK and study Marketing and Tourism.
Kaitlyn helps around the house as much as she can with her busy schedule. Along with all the extra-curricular activities she has also been a marketing intern at Visit Wabash County, works at B & K Root Beer, and is a Thirty-One Business Representative. She also helped to improve her school corporation’s web site. She created a video with content from all the schools in the corporation to be used as the header for the web site. She has also volunteered at the Animal Shelter, visited retirement hoes, and took elementary school children in need on Christmas Shopping trips.
For her demonstrated self-reliance at home, at school and in the community, the committee awarded a certificate and check for $2000 to Kaitlyn Elizabeth Jones.
Nathan Ozenbaugh is a senior at Manchester High School. He has been a member of the Boy Scouts of America and 4-H. In school he has played football, participated in Track & Field and Science Olympiad, been a member of the National FFA and National Honor Society. He has worked at Hi-Grad Egg Producers and Metzger’s Landscaping. He also helps a farmer bale hay and straw I the summer. After graduation, he plans to attend Trine University and study Electrical Engineering.
Although life has sent many challenges his way, Nathan’s biggest challenge was a goal he set for himself and achieved. He set his sights on becoming an Eagle Scout a rank that only 3% of all Boy Scout earn. He had to plan, instruct, and fulfill an Eagle Scout Project. He chose to remodel and reconstruct a local community sign that is approximately 25 feet high. It took Nathan five months to complete and he had nearly 3300 man hours in this project.
For his demonstrated self-reliance at home, at school and in the community, the committee awarded a certificate and check for $2000 to Nathan Andrew Ozenbaugh.