KLA Cadets Complete 2016-17 White Paper Projects
April 17, 2017 at 5:34 p.m.
By Staff Report-
Project Proud allows all cadets the opportunity to explain their topics, research and findings to their fellow classmates, a panel of judges, KLA board members, sponsors, employers and interested citizens.
The eight white paper projects this year included “Community Conversation 3.0 – Steps Toward a Sustainable Future for Our County”; “Nut Knowledge: Increasing Awareness, Knowledge, and Options for Those with a Peanut Allergy”; “Kosciusko Business Starter”; “Kosciusko County Park System: Bridging the Gaps, Connecting Communities”; “Makers Space”; “River Roots Canoes and Kayaks, Part II”; “Volunteer Kosciusko”; and “Warsaw’s Water Wonder.”
KLA cadets formed teams of two to four, selected a former white paper project to further develop or determined a need in the community. Groups then conducted researched, discovered solutions and presented the information at Project Proud. This year’s class projects tackled a variety of topics including community needs, environmental needs, recreational activities and entrepreneurial projects, according to a news release from KLA.
The KLA cadets involved in the Community Conversation 3.0 – Steps Toward a Sustainable Future for Our County included Elise Close, Medtronic Sofamor Danek; Vicky Decker, ReMax; Jennifer Kerns, Kosciusko Chamber; and Kristi Parker, Lake City Bank. Through community conversations and follow-up meetings, this team gathered information on manufacturing, education and quality of place. Suggestions for actions items included increasing broadband internet access; encouraging skills training for “career” versus “vocational” focus; and welcoming new residents with a “city concierge.”
Nut Knowledge: Increasing Awareness, Knowledge and Options for Those with a Peanut Allergy included Jill Bouillon, Paragon Medical; Brooke Hamstra, Thorne Insurance, and Danette Till, Manchester University. This KLA White Paper team examined the current state of peanut allergy awareness, increasing peanut free restaurant options, and the availability of epi-pens in the event of a severe reaction in a restaurant. Resources and support for families dealing with this allergy resulted in a closed Facebook page that affected families can join. Stephanie Hapner, Creighton’s Crazy Egg Café, volunteered to serve as a resource for restaurants on this subject.
Kosciusko Business Starter included Nathan Carver, Instrumental Machine and Development; Anne Cuahuizo, Kosciusko Community Hospital/MedStat; Evan Speicher, Instrumental Machine and Development; and Kacy White, Instrumedical Technologies. In conjunction with Grace College School of Business, this group designed a website geared toward helping entrepreneurs and small business owners. The website is now live at www.kcbusinessstarter.com. Community resources found on the site include Kosciusko Chamber, Kosciusko Economic Development Corp., SCORE and Grace College School of Business.
Kosciusko County Park System: Bridging the Gaps, Connecting Communities included Brandi Grimm, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, and Ryan Thornburgh, Precision Medical Technologies. These cadets looked at existing opportunities for outside recreation within the county including lakes, nature preserves, trails, beaches, rivers and trails. Linking surrounding communities within Kosciusko County together with a county park system was the focus of the white paper project.
KLA cadets Zane Gard, Kosciusko Community YMCA; Jason Gergely, Alderfer Bergen & Co.; Trevor Ross, 1st Source Bank; and Art Woodruff, Grace College, presented Maker Space. This evolving project would create and sustain a centralized facility to allow members of Kosciusko County to foster creative thinking and innovative ideas built on the concept of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM). The initial site identified as a potential location is the old Gatke building.
River Roots Canoes and Kayaks, Part II included Seth Bingham, Grace College student; The Rev. Michael Mueller, Redeemer Lutheran Church; Tim Vosberg, sponsored by Lake City Bank; and Ryan Workman, City of Warsaw. Starting with the work of a previous KLA White Paper team, the group concentrated on the feasibility of forming a nonprofit organization for river tourism with continuing involvement of local groups and resources. Lily Center for Lakes and Streams at Grace College, Kosciusko County, and the Paddlers for Conservation all worked together to clear the center section of the Tippecanoe River allowing for better access. The group identified several potential launch sites and the method of delivery to bring this to fruition.
Volunteer Kosciusko team cadets Taylor Garrison, Helvey & Associates; Michael Slavkin Ph.D., Ivy Tech Community College; and Jessica Wienhorst, Ivy Tech Community College student, accepted the challenge of analyzing Volunteer Kosciusko and the website. Original founder Don Bergen approached the KLA class of 2016-17 for assistance. Continuing the work with United Way, this group examined the current website and modernization; marketing Volunteer Kosciusko (connecting Kosciusko County volunteers with organizations in need) and the need for an app to improve accessibility.
Warsaw’s Water Wonder included Brooke Gottschalk, Bowen Center; Drew Lyon, Cardinal Services; Tori Perry, DePuy Synthes; and Jon Slocum, SYM Financial. This group collected information and formed a proposal for a community swimming pool. A community pool would offer a place for people to socialize and exercise.
In addition to the self-gratification from completing these White Paper Projects, there is a financial award given due to the support of Jean Northenor, the release states. The projects are presented to a panel of three judges who determine the award winner.
This year’s judges included Northenor, founder of KLA; Brad Bishop, OrthoWorx; and Suzie Light, Kosciusko County Community Foundation.
The award winner will be announced at the KLA Graduation Banquet April 25.
KLA is a not-for-profit organization devoted to serving Kosciusko County by encouraging leaders and future leaders to dream and create a better community through White Paper Projects.
Project Proud allows all cadets the opportunity to explain their topics, research and findings to their fellow classmates, a panel of judges, KLA board members, sponsors, employers and interested citizens.
The eight white paper projects this year included “Community Conversation 3.0 – Steps Toward a Sustainable Future for Our County”; “Nut Knowledge: Increasing Awareness, Knowledge, and Options for Those with a Peanut Allergy”; “Kosciusko Business Starter”; “Kosciusko County Park System: Bridging the Gaps, Connecting Communities”; “Makers Space”; “River Roots Canoes and Kayaks, Part II”; “Volunteer Kosciusko”; and “Warsaw’s Water Wonder.”
KLA cadets formed teams of two to four, selected a former white paper project to further develop or determined a need in the community. Groups then conducted researched, discovered solutions and presented the information at Project Proud. This year’s class projects tackled a variety of topics including community needs, environmental needs, recreational activities and entrepreneurial projects, according to a news release from KLA.
The KLA cadets involved in the Community Conversation 3.0 – Steps Toward a Sustainable Future for Our County included Elise Close, Medtronic Sofamor Danek; Vicky Decker, ReMax; Jennifer Kerns, Kosciusko Chamber; and Kristi Parker, Lake City Bank. Through community conversations and follow-up meetings, this team gathered information on manufacturing, education and quality of place. Suggestions for actions items included increasing broadband internet access; encouraging skills training for “career” versus “vocational” focus; and welcoming new residents with a “city concierge.”
Nut Knowledge: Increasing Awareness, Knowledge and Options for Those with a Peanut Allergy included Jill Bouillon, Paragon Medical; Brooke Hamstra, Thorne Insurance, and Danette Till, Manchester University. This KLA White Paper team examined the current state of peanut allergy awareness, increasing peanut free restaurant options, and the availability of epi-pens in the event of a severe reaction in a restaurant. Resources and support for families dealing with this allergy resulted in a closed Facebook page that affected families can join. Stephanie Hapner, Creighton’s Crazy Egg Café, volunteered to serve as a resource for restaurants on this subject.
Kosciusko Business Starter included Nathan Carver, Instrumental Machine and Development; Anne Cuahuizo, Kosciusko Community Hospital/MedStat; Evan Speicher, Instrumental Machine and Development; and Kacy White, Instrumedical Technologies. In conjunction with Grace College School of Business, this group designed a website geared toward helping entrepreneurs and small business owners. The website is now live at www.kcbusinessstarter.com. Community resources found on the site include Kosciusko Chamber, Kosciusko Economic Development Corp., SCORE and Grace College School of Business.
Kosciusko County Park System: Bridging the Gaps, Connecting Communities included Brandi Grimm, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, and Ryan Thornburgh, Precision Medical Technologies. These cadets looked at existing opportunities for outside recreation within the county including lakes, nature preserves, trails, beaches, rivers and trails. Linking surrounding communities within Kosciusko County together with a county park system was the focus of the white paper project.
KLA cadets Zane Gard, Kosciusko Community YMCA; Jason Gergely, Alderfer Bergen & Co.; Trevor Ross, 1st Source Bank; and Art Woodruff, Grace College, presented Maker Space. This evolving project would create and sustain a centralized facility to allow members of Kosciusko County to foster creative thinking and innovative ideas built on the concept of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM). The initial site identified as a potential location is the old Gatke building.
River Roots Canoes and Kayaks, Part II included Seth Bingham, Grace College student; The Rev. Michael Mueller, Redeemer Lutheran Church; Tim Vosberg, sponsored by Lake City Bank; and Ryan Workman, City of Warsaw. Starting with the work of a previous KLA White Paper team, the group concentrated on the feasibility of forming a nonprofit organization for river tourism with continuing involvement of local groups and resources. Lily Center for Lakes and Streams at Grace College, Kosciusko County, and the Paddlers for Conservation all worked together to clear the center section of the Tippecanoe River allowing for better access. The group identified several potential launch sites and the method of delivery to bring this to fruition.
Volunteer Kosciusko team cadets Taylor Garrison, Helvey & Associates; Michael Slavkin Ph.D., Ivy Tech Community College; and Jessica Wienhorst, Ivy Tech Community College student, accepted the challenge of analyzing Volunteer Kosciusko and the website. Original founder Don Bergen approached the KLA class of 2016-17 for assistance. Continuing the work with United Way, this group examined the current website and modernization; marketing Volunteer Kosciusko (connecting Kosciusko County volunteers with organizations in need) and the need for an app to improve accessibility.
Warsaw’s Water Wonder included Brooke Gottschalk, Bowen Center; Drew Lyon, Cardinal Services; Tori Perry, DePuy Synthes; and Jon Slocum, SYM Financial. This group collected information and formed a proposal for a community swimming pool. A community pool would offer a place for people to socialize and exercise.
In addition to the self-gratification from completing these White Paper Projects, there is a financial award given due to the support of Jean Northenor, the release states. The projects are presented to a panel of three judges who determine the award winner.
This year’s judges included Northenor, founder of KLA; Brad Bishop, OrthoWorx; and Suzie Light, Kosciusko County Community Foundation.
The award winner will be announced at the KLA Graduation Banquet April 25.
KLA is a not-for-profit organization devoted to serving Kosciusko County by encouraging leaders and future leaders to dream and create a better community through White Paper Projects.
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