LEESBURG - A group of people in Kosciusko County who are dedicated to improving life in the county were recognized for their service Thursday night.
There were 26 graduates recognized during the annual Kosciusko Leadership Academy awards banquet. The banquet was at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club, Leesburg.
KLA was formed in 1982 by Jean Northenor. Since 1982, an average of 25 students have graduated each year from KLA, now totaling more than 600 alumni.The mission of KLA is to develop young adults who are informed and innovative leaders who serve the community.
KLA members meet with community leaders and examine issues facing the community, enrich themselves by building a network of peer and community leaders, and take action and get involved by making a difference in the community.
KLA graduates write White Paper projects where they research topics for improving the community.
The graduates conduct research on the projects and explain the need for the project in the community.
The White Paper projects were presented April 15 at Lake City Bank Training Center in Warsaw.
Projects included: "Ice, Ice Baby! Bringing Winter Recreation to Kosciusko County" by Robert Bleeks, Nicholas DeBatty, Alan Grossnickle Jr., Kevin Harter, Rob Parker, Jerry Yeager and Walter Zawadzkas Jr.
"Building Leaders Through 4-H" by Kathleen J. Allison, Randy Maxson, Matt Starrett and Tabitha Williamson; "Stay & Pay" by Dana Bailey and Brooke Greer; and "Natural Resources Revolving Loan Fund Program" by Henry DeJulia
Other projects were "Get on Board" by Richard Haddad, William Katip, Wendy Wildman Long, Charles Neuwirth and Brenda Rigdon; "Sharing KLA" by Kelly Hurt, Jessica Masuga, Kevin Planck and Christa Williams; "Outdoor Fun at Baker Youth Club" by Michael Hafner, Chris Wiggins and Kristopher Williams.
Hafner, Wiggins and Williams received the Northenor Project Proud Award for their "Outdoor Fun At Baker Youth Club" project.
The project will include the installation of two pieces of playground equipment at Baker Youth Club through a grant from K21 Foundation.
Dr. Suellen Reed, Indiana superintendent of public instruction, was the featured speaker. She spoke about the qualities of a leader.
Reed said leaders are strong with moral and ethical character, have competence, are courageous and are big thinkers.
"Good leaders value and show respect for themselves and others and have high expectations for themselves and others," Reed said.
Reed encouraged the graduates to mentor others and find ways to continue to invest in the community.
