Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy held its annual graduation ceremony Wednesday night. The ceremony for the 2012-2013 graduating class was held at Champagne Jam, Warsaw. There were 30 graduates recognized with plaques representing the 19th graduating class. KYLA’s mission is to develop leadership abilities in young adults through formal classroom instruction and hands-on experience through community service. Each student is required to donate a minimum of 10 hours of community service work on a project of their choice. KYLA White Paper Projects were presented at the ceremony by Ashlyn Vitoux and Mary Catherine Mayer, both juniors at Warsaw Community High School. Vitoux established a Client Choice and Healthy Choice Food Pantry at Combined Community Services. The program began March 13. “The pantry allows clients the ability to choose their own food and provides them with healthy food choices,” Vitoux said. Mayer’s project was titled “Project People” where she worked with local elementary school students to help them gain leadership skills and discover self purpose. Mayer helped develop a Random Acts of Kindness committee at local elementary students. Students will partner with CCS for service projects once a month. The committee also will sell “Hello My Name Is” bracelets in their schools with proceeds going to Fellowship Missions. Nick Deeter, OrthoPediatrics chairman of the board and managing director, was the keynote speaker for the graduation. He spoke about leadership. OrthoPediatrics, a Warsaw-based orthopaedic company, focuses on helping children with orthopaedic care and injuries by providing the surgeons and implants that are designed and manufactured by the company. “Leadership is not about being elected or appointed to an office. Leadership is an attitude cultivated over time,” Deeter said. Deeter said a leader is someone who likes to work with and through other people. He also said a leader has character. “The character should flow into the group, organization, team or company you are leading,” Deeter said. “To be a true leader you must gain the trust of those below you, ultimately to be effective at reaching your goals,” he continued. Deeter said to be a leader a person must never give up. “Celebrate your successes and choices you have made. Find a purpose in life so big it will challenge all your capacity to be your best,” he said.
