Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy graduates were honored during a ceremony Wednesday night. The ceremony was at Champagne Jam in Warsaw. There were 33 graduates recognized. In addition to attending formal classroom training, each student must donate a total of 10 hours towards a community service project. The students must also present their project in the form of a formal white paper project presentation to their peers, board members and area invited dignitaries and guests at the end of the academic year. Tony Cirello, moderator, thanked administrators for their support of the organization. Cindy Klusman, KYLA president, gave a history of the organization. She said in 1991 two members participating in Kosciusko Leadership Academy presented a white paper proposing a youth organization similar to KYLA. Two years later, in 1993, that white paper was implemented and the first class of seven members graduated. All students who participate in the Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy go through a formal application process their sophomore year, and, if selected, participate in the program their junior year of high school. Applications can be picked up at all the high school counseling offices or downloaded from www.kosciuskoyouthleadership.org. Applicants are accepted from six area high schools: Lakeland Christian Academy and Tippecanoe Valley, Triton Jr./Sr., Warsaw Community, Wawasee and Whitko Community high schools. The students represent four counties: Kosciusko, Marshall, Whitley and Elkhart. Hunter Haines presented his project, “Designate and Dine,” and Brynn Durecki presented her project, “Project Regeneration.” Haines said his family was hit by a drunk driver and he wanted to do a project to eradicate drinking and driving and work with restaurants and bars to reduce the amount of DUIs. He said the project would provide incentives such as free appetizers and soft drinks for those who agree to be designated drivers. He established a website at designateanddine.org. “In my project I learned communication and people skills, learned about community industries in depth and developed leadership skills,” Haines said. Durecki said her project was to bridge the age gap between the older and younger generations at Millers Merry Manor and Baker Youth Club. She met with the organization’s officials to plan times once a week when the youth could meet with the residents and do sensory activities such as crafts and playing games. ‘I learned about my ability to be a leader, time management, respect and compassion,” Durecki said. Jane Wear, Cardinal Service president and CEO, was the keynote speaker. “You have to find things you are companionate about,” Wear said. She said when she first got her job at Cardinal she was shy, but learned to be more outgoing. She provided tips to be an effective leader including pushing yourself to develop public speaking skills, addressing conflict in a professional way, teamwork and communication.
