‘We Lead Kosciusko’ & ‘Community Recovery Program’ Win Awards At KLA Graduation
April 23, 2024 at 10:06 p.m.
NORTH WEBSTER - “We Lead Kosciusko 2.0” took home the 2024 Northenor Award and $2,500 at Wednesday night’s Kosciusko Leadership Academy graduation celebration, while “Marketing Campaign Kosciusko Community Recovery Program” received the 2024 Trustee Award and $1,000.
The white paper projects were two of the six by the KLA Class of 2024.
Kosciusko County Community Foundation (KCCF) CEO Stephanie Overbey explained how the Northenor Award Fund operates and presented the Trustee Award.
Overbey also was one of the three judges at Project Proud who selected the winning white papers. The other judges were OrthoWorx CEO Bob Vitoux and Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose. The criteria for the awards were that the project has countywide impact, is doable within the KLA year and is sustainable.
The Northenor Award is a component fund held at the KCCF. “There were many donors who wanted to recognize, of course, Jean Northenor. A tremendous leader and founder of this wonderful program,” Overbey said. “So it’s an endowment fund, which means the principal is not spent, it’s invested and those earnings are made available to make this award every year, and in that way the fund lives on forever.”
She said the Northenor Award was “a lot about the rubric,” while the Trustee Award “has a lot of room for heart.”
She then announced the winning white paper project team for the Trustee Award as “Marketing Campaign for KCRP.” Members of the team are Paul Finley, 1st Source Bank; Chris McKeand, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office; and Mike Murphy, Bowen Center.
At the 42nd Kosciusko Leadership Academy graduation celebration Wednesday night, Kosciusko County Community Foundation CEO Stephanie Overbey (R) announced the KLA Trustee Award-winning team, which includes $1,000 for their project, as "Marketing Campaign for Kosciusko County Recovery Program." Members of the team are (L to R) Paul Finley, 1st Source Bank; Chris McKeand, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office; and Mike Murphy, Bowen Center. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union"They were chosen for the Trustee Award based on the community impact that you’ve already had, but also the potential community impact that could go far into the future,” Overbey said.
She said the judges were moved by Finley’s personal testimony and McKeand’s self-reflection.
The executive summary for Marketing Campaign KCRP states, in part, “Our marketing campaign serves as a beacon of hope for those in recovery. It emphasizes resilience, empowerment and the possibility of transformation.” The KCRP is “committed to breaking the cycle of recidivism and fostering successful reintegration.”
KLA Moderator Dr. Allyn Decker said KCRP is a program that takes place while someone is incarcerated. “So instead of just walking back into the street after their sentencing is over ... this program seeks to connect offenders with social services agencies, counselors, financial counselors, anger management counselors, job placement professionals in the community, a whole wide range of social services while they are incarcerated so that when they leave, they have a support system in place and ready to go so that they don’t reoffend,” Decker said.
He then presented the Northenor Award to the "We Lead Kosciusko 2.0" team of Mikie Crate, self-sponsored; Stephen Coble, Instrumental Machine & Development; Terry Sweeney, Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation; and Paige Troyer, Precision Medical Technologies.
“So these members took a fledgling event, created a very detailed playbook, actually applied for and received 501c3 status so that this event could become its own nonprofit agency and also then be recipients of grant awards. And then they plan to be the steering team so that this event can continue on annually,” Decker said.
The Kosciusko Leadership Academy 2023-24 Executive Committee (front row) is pictured with the graduating class of 2024 at the 42nd KLA graduation celebration Wednesday night at The Owl’s Nest in North Webster. Photo by David Slone, Times-UnionReading what the judges had to say about their rationale for choosing this project, he said, “The We Lead Kosciusko 2.0 white paper was chosen for the Northern Award based on their high scores in the areas of countywide impact, the doability of the project and its sustainability. Specifically, the judges were impressed by how the team implemented suggested improvements from people who attended last year’s event, and the effort made to register as a 501c3 organization for the long-term sustainability of the project.”
Part of the executive summary for We Lead Kosciusko states that, in collaboration with the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP), it “is dedicated to cultivating a culture of active citizenship and leadership within Kosciusko County. Recognizing the vital role of engaged leaders in fostering social capital, enhancing civic participation and driving sustainable development, we aim to address the pressing need for increased community engagement and leadership development.”
Earlier in the 42nd graduation celebration, KLA advisor Nathan Conley presented the Hall of Fame Award to K21 Health Foundation CEO Rich Haddad, who was unable to attend. The Hall of Fame Award recognizes those people who have been with KLA for a long time and helped in various ways.
“This year’s award recipient is someone who has been an invaluable resource to KLA. When I say KLA, it’s not just the organization but the cadets. I think every year one, two, sometimes three teams have reached out to this individual. They’ve been very unselfish with their time and energy and the knowledge to help provide some guidance, not only to our cadets but also to our board,” Conley said.
Guest speaker for the night was Kristin Pruitt, president of Lake City Bank and Lakeland Financial Corporation. She spoke about leadership and how the most effective leadership is servant leadership.
The 2023 winners of the Trustee Award and the Northenor Award gave reports on what’s happened with their projects over the past year. The 2023 Trustee Award-winning team was “Fieldhouse of Dreams, with Denny Harlan, Chad Hummel, Carol McGregor and Angie Summers. The Northenor Award-winning team was Kosciusko by Choice with Logan McDonald, Leo Patino, Jeremy Price and Laura Rothhaar.
Graduation diplomas were presented by Decker and Conley. Graduates (not already mentioned) were Shari Benyousky, SB Communications; Diana Diaz-Barriga, Zimmer Biomet/Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce; Mike Doran, Medartis Inc.; Nichole Fifer, Kosciusko REMC; Audrey Hampshire, Ivy Tech Community College; Corbin Holtsberry, Lake City Bank; Keith Kuric, North Webster Community Public Library; Mary Lepird, Lake City Bank; Vicky Owens, Cardinal Services Healthy Families; Chris Plack, Cardinal Services; Joseph Sobek, Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; Kourtney Sumner, Grace College; Barb Sweeney, The Watershed Foundation; Sandy Vera, Live Well Kosciusko; and Dawn Wilkinson, Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation.
The graduation celebration was held at The Owl’s Nest in North Webster.
For more information on KLA, visit the new website at https://www.kosciuskoleadership.org/.
NORTH WEBSTER - “We Lead Kosciusko 2.0” took home the 2024 Northenor Award and $2,500 at Wednesday night’s Kosciusko Leadership Academy graduation celebration, while “Marketing Campaign Kosciusko Community Recovery Program” received the 2024 Trustee Award and $1,000.
The white paper projects were two of the six by the KLA Class of 2024.
Kosciusko County Community Foundation (KCCF) CEO Stephanie Overbey explained how the Northenor Award Fund operates and presented the Trustee Award.
Overbey also was one of the three judges at Project Proud who selected the winning white papers. The other judges were OrthoWorx CEO Bob Vitoux and Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose. The criteria for the awards were that the project has countywide impact, is doable within the KLA year and is sustainable.
The Northenor Award is a component fund held at the KCCF. “There were many donors who wanted to recognize, of course, Jean Northenor. A tremendous leader and founder of this wonderful program,” Overbey said. “So it’s an endowment fund, which means the principal is not spent, it’s invested and those earnings are made available to make this award every year, and in that way the fund lives on forever.”
She said the Northenor Award was “a lot about the rubric,” while the Trustee Award “has a lot of room for heart.”
She then announced the winning white paper project team for the Trustee Award as “Marketing Campaign for KCRP.” Members of the team are Paul Finley, 1st Source Bank; Chris McKeand, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office; and Mike Murphy, Bowen Center.
At the 42nd Kosciusko Leadership Academy graduation celebration Wednesday night, Kosciusko County Community Foundation CEO Stephanie Overbey (R) announced the KLA Trustee Award-winning team, which includes $1,000 for their project, as "Marketing Campaign for Kosciusko County Recovery Program." Members of the team are (L to R) Paul Finley, 1st Source Bank; Chris McKeand, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office; and Mike Murphy, Bowen Center. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union"They were chosen for the Trustee Award based on the community impact that you’ve already had, but also the potential community impact that could go far into the future,” Overbey said.
She said the judges were moved by Finley’s personal testimony and McKeand’s self-reflection.
The executive summary for Marketing Campaign KCRP states, in part, “Our marketing campaign serves as a beacon of hope for those in recovery. It emphasizes resilience, empowerment and the possibility of transformation.” The KCRP is “committed to breaking the cycle of recidivism and fostering successful reintegration.”
KLA Moderator Dr. Allyn Decker said KCRP is a program that takes place while someone is incarcerated. “So instead of just walking back into the street after their sentencing is over ... this program seeks to connect offenders with social services agencies, counselors, financial counselors, anger management counselors, job placement professionals in the community, a whole wide range of social services while they are incarcerated so that when they leave, they have a support system in place and ready to go so that they don’t reoffend,” Decker said.
He then presented the Northenor Award to the "We Lead Kosciusko 2.0" team of Mikie Crate, self-sponsored; Stephen Coble, Instrumental Machine & Development; Terry Sweeney, Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation; and Paige Troyer, Precision Medical Technologies.
“So these members took a fledgling event, created a very detailed playbook, actually applied for and received 501c3 status so that this event could become its own nonprofit agency and also then be recipients of grant awards. And then they plan to be the steering team so that this event can continue on annually,” Decker said.
The Kosciusko Leadership Academy 2023-24 Executive Committee (front row) is pictured with the graduating class of 2024 at the 42nd KLA graduation celebration Wednesday night at The Owl’s Nest in North Webster. Photo by David Slone, Times-UnionReading what the judges had to say about their rationale for choosing this project, he said, “The We Lead Kosciusko 2.0 white paper was chosen for the Northern Award based on their high scores in the areas of countywide impact, the doability of the project and its sustainability. Specifically, the judges were impressed by how the team implemented suggested improvements from people who attended last year’s event, and the effort made to register as a 501c3 organization for the long-term sustainability of the project.”
Part of the executive summary for We Lead Kosciusko states that, in collaboration with the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP), it “is dedicated to cultivating a culture of active citizenship and leadership within Kosciusko County. Recognizing the vital role of engaged leaders in fostering social capital, enhancing civic participation and driving sustainable development, we aim to address the pressing need for increased community engagement and leadership development.”
Earlier in the 42nd graduation celebration, KLA advisor Nathan Conley presented the Hall of Fame Award to K21 Health Foundation CEO Rich Haddad, who was unable to attend. The Hall of Fame Award recognizes those people who have been with KLA for a long time and helped in various ways.
“This year’s award recipient is someone who has been an invaluable resource to KLA. When I say KLA, it’s not just the organization but the cadets. I think every year one, two, sometimes three teams have reached out to this individual. They’ve been very unselfish with their time and energy and the knowledge to help provide some guidance, not only to our cadets but also to our board,” Conley said.
Guest speaker for the night was Kristin Pruitt, president of Lake City Bank and Lakeland Financial Corporation. She spoke about leadership and how the most effective leadership is servant leadership.
The 2023 winners of the Trustee Award and the Northenor Award gave reports on what’s happened with their projects over the past year. The 2023 Trustee Award-winning team was “Fieldhouse of Dreams, with Denny Harlan, Chad Hummel, Carol McGregor and Angie Summers. The Northenor Award-winning team was Kosciusko by Choice with Logan McDonald, Leo Patino, Jeremy Price and Laura Rothhaar.
Graduation diplomas were presented by Decker and Conley. Graduates (not already mentioned) were Shari Benyousky, SB Communications; Diana Diaz-Barriga, Zimmer Biomet/Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce; Mike Doran, Medartis Inc.; Nichole Fifer, Kosciusko REMC; Audrey Hampshire, Ivy Tech Community College; Corbin Holtsberry, Lake City Bank; Keith Kuric, North Webster Community Public Library; Mary Lepird, Lake City Bank; Vicky Owens, Cardinal Services Healthy Families; Chris Plack, Cardinal Services; Joseph Sobek, Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; Kourtney Sumner, Grace College; Barb Sweeney, The Watershed Foundation; Sandy Vera, Live Well Kosciusko; and Dawn Wilkinson, Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation.
The graduation celebration was held at The Owl’s Nest in North Webster.
For more information on KLA, visit the new website at https://www.kosciuskoleadership.org/.