NAPPANEE - The Nappanee Noon Kiwanis Club honored the top 26 NorthWood High School juniors at their weekly meeting recently.
Each student came to the podium for a certificate and then identified what college they planned to attend and their anticipated major. They received a standing ovation from the audience for their outstanding achievements.
William Jones, the vice president of institutional advancement for Goshen College, spoke on the theme of "Six Words that Gave Me Life."
Born in Kinsey Holler, Ky., to a 15-year-old mother, who had married his dad when she was 13, he faced a bleak future.
"All the men in my family were either addicted to alcohol or drugs or imprisoned or dead," Jones said. At 8 years old, his father told him "you will be a college graduate" - and those six words transformed his life.
Jones also cited the influence of a down-and-out football coach he'd had who'd taught him that a person's true worth was measured by how decently he treated other people.
The Kiwanis Club meets on Tuesdays at noon at Dalmar Catering Hall in Nappanee. The club is open to men and women 18 and over who are interested in helping youth and serving others.
On May 19 at noon, Kiwanis will hold an informational meeting for interested persons who would like to be of service to young people. Anyone who works in the WaNee community or is a resident is invited to attend the meeting to be held at the Dalmar Catering Hall, 159 E. Lincoln, Nappanee.The organization is open to men and women who have a desire to be of service to their community and who would learning leadership skills.
