Kosciusko Leadership Academy started its 2015-16 year off recently with a history lesson and a tour for the cadets. The kick-off tour started at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for an introduction to KLA by moderator Allyn Decker, history of KLA by advisor Dr. Steven Grill and Advisor Emeritus and founder Jean Northenor. Following the introductory session, the cadets walked to MudLOVE for a tour, according to a press release from KLA. MudLOVE allocates 20 percent of its profits to providing clean drinking water in the Central African Republic and to fundraising for adoptions. The company also has discovered a creative way to allow stay-at-home parents to earn extra income by tying the bands for the bracelets, the release states. The cadets then boarded a Grace College bus, which was donated to KLA for the day’s tour of Kosciusko County. The next stop was at the fourth largest airport in Indiana, the Warsaw Municipal Airport, according to the release. The runway expansion under consideration is for the safety and benefit of the public as the winds created when jets take off move vehicles on the road. Tour stops included Precision Medical Technologies, where customers bring drawings or product needs for designing and manufacturing; lunch on the Dixie Boat, while enjoying lunches from Pizza King; Cool Beans for a coffee break; and Maple Leaf corporate offices. The various stops provided an opportunity to learn about various industries and companies operating in Kosciusko County. New on the tour this year was Polywood Inc., the originator of recycled products. Polywood creates and manufactures furnishings. According to its website, it has “expanded our product lines to include additional adirondack styles as well as dining, lounges, deep seating, benches and swings. Our goal is to deliver a quality product our customers want in a timely fashion. To achieve this vision, we developed state-of-the-art technology and lean manufacturing processes that have minimized our waste stream and ensured our products are built quickly and accurately. Our products are assembled, packaged and delivered all within days of receiving an order, satisfying the customer while saving warehouse space.” The KLA board members, advisors, founder and cadets thank Grace College; Kosciusko County Community Foundation; MudLOVE; Warsaw Airport; Precision Medical Technologies; Dixie Boat; Pizza King, North Webster; Polywood Inc.; Cool Beans; and Maple Leaf for all of their efforts in making this kick off day a success, the press release states. The next KLA session will be Sept. 8 at the Wawasee Area Conservancy, Syracuse, to learn about protecting water resources. 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, the release states.
