Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
JayH Construction nearly swept all the 2026 Homes On Parade awards at the Builders Association of North Central Indiana’s 2026 VIP Gala Wednesday.
The Etna Green-based general contractors took home the awards for Best Exterior, Best Interior, Best Kitchen, Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice.
The only award that JayH Construction didn’t receive was the Member Champion Award, which went to Renewal Homes.
Baylen Hite, from Kensington Media/WRSW, served as emcee for the gala at Noa Noa Wood Grill & Sushi Bar in Warsaw.
Before presenting the awards, Hite said, “Last year, in addition to our traditional People’s Choice Award, we introduced several new categories that recognize outstanding achievement in specific areas of design and construction. We believe these new awards are an important way to honor everybody. ... As you guys know, in the construction world, things are changing, there’s always new designs, new styles, new ways of doing things. So we want to make sure that we’re constantly refreshing.”
He said the judging panel included professionals from outside of the area to ensure impartiality and fresh perspectives. They toured each home on Sept. 17.
The Best Exterior Award recognizes the home with the most outstanding and well-executed exterior design. Judges evaluated curb appeal, material choices and architectural cohesion. JayH won the award for their Syracuse home.
Best Interior celebrates the interior that showcased the highest level of design, flow and finishing touches. Judges looked at style, consistency, livability and overall presentation. JayH won it for their Chapman Lake home.
Best Kitchen honors the space that demonstrated outstanding design, functionality and craftsmanship in the kitchen area. Judges considered layout, innovation, finishes and attention to detail. JayH won it for their Chapman Lake home.
The Judge’s Choice Award is a special recognition selected by the guest judges and is given to the home that left a lasting impression through its quality, presentation and overall craftsmanship. JayH won it for their Chapman Lake home.
Brett Harter, BANCI’s 2026 vice president, presented the Member Champion Award. The award is given to the builder who demonstrates exceptional support of fellow association members by collaborating with the most members on their parade entry project. The award highlights the spirit of community and partnership that is the foundation of the association, he said.
This year’s winner was determined by calculating the number of association members listed as contributors on the official parade entry forms.
“It’s a simple but meaningful way to recognize those who make an intentional effort to work with others in the association and showcase what we can accomplish together,” Harter stated.
“It’s no surprise that this year’s winner is Renewal Homes. Year in and year out, Renewal has consistently been an advocate for the Builder’s Association of North Central Indiana. They strive to promote value of our association with outstanding commitment and integrity,” he said.
Daniel Schlatter, the 2026 president of BANCI, announced the People’s Choice Award recipient.
“This award is determined not by judges or industry professionals, but by the voices of the community. It reflects what moved our visitors most, what captured their attention, sparked their imagination and earned their admiration,” he said.
Since the award’s introduction in 1987, thousands of votes have been cast and 287 homes have graced the Parade.
Schlatter said, “The People’s Choice Award is a testament not to tenure, but to impact. To the connection a builder makes with the community through excellence, creativity and detail. Each year, this award remains an open opportunity for new talent to rise, and time after time, they do.”
He announced the award winner was JayH Construction for their Chapman Lake home.
After all the awards were presented, Schlatter thanked BANCI Executive Officer Jackie Wyatt for all she did to pull off the Parade and VIP Gala and for what she does for the association.
Earlier, Hite recognized all the builders that participated in this year’s Homes on Parade. Those included High Ridge Homes, Lucas Britton, with their Hard Hat house in Mentone and their Syracuse home; Granite Ridge Builders, Luke Hoffman, Wagon Wheel Drive property; JayH Construction, Aaron and Elmer Miller, Chapman Lake, North Webster and Syracuse homes; Renewal Homes, Wendell Miller, North Webster property; T.L. Jackson, Bruce Jackson, Syracuse home; and Miller Brothers Builders, Titus Troyer, Milford home.
Thomas Burnworth, Parade committee chair and 2025 Board president, thanked all the sponsors who made the Parade and awards gala possible. Those included First Federal Savings Bank of Rochester, Kosciusko Connect, Superior Garage Door Service and Bin There Dump That. He also thanked the VIP Gala sponsors, including Rabb/Kinetico Water Systems, McGowan Insurance and O’Neil’s Glass.
Burnworth thanked the marketing committee, Dani and Tristan with Milieu Media, Nick Prentice and the staff at Blue River Digital, The Papers and Hite.
