Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - With the 2025 Homes on Parade recently wrapped up, the Builders Association of North Central Indiana (BANCI) held their VIP Gala Thursday night to celebrate and present six awards.
Renewal Homes took home four of the six awards, with TL Jackson Construction and Coplen Construction each claiming one.
“This year, in addition to our traditional People’s Choice Award, we’re excited to introduce several new categories that recognized outstanding achievement in specific areas of design and construction. We believe these new awards are an important way to honor the individual aspects that make each project special,” said master of ceremonies Bill Hays in presenting the awards. “Our judging panel included professionals from outside of the area to ensure impartiality and fresh perspectives. They toured each home on Thursday, Sept. 18, and we’ll soon reveal their decisions.”
The first award was for Best Exterior. The award recognizes the home with the most outstanding and well-executed exterior design, he said. Judges evaluated curb appeal, material choices and architectural cohesion. Renewal Homes won the award, with owner Wendell Miller accepting.
Best Interior Award also went to Renewal Homes with Miller and Krista Shoemaker, of Krista Lynn Design, accepting. The award celebrates the interior that showcased the highest level of design, flow and finishing touches. Judges looked at style, consistency, livability and overall presentation.
The Best Kitchen Award honors the space that demonstrated outstanding design, functionality and craftsmanship in the kitchen area. Judges considered layout, innovation, finishes and attention to detail, and they chose T.L. Construction.
President Thomas Burnworth presented the Member Champion Award.
“The Member Champion Award is given to the builder who demonstrates exceptional support of fellow association members by collaborating with the most members on their parade entry project. This award highlights the spirit of community and partnership that is the foundation of our association,” he said.
The winner is determined by calculating the number of association members listed as contributors on the official parade entry forms. “It’s a simple but meaningful way to recognize those who make an intentional effort to work with others in the industry and showcase what we can accomplish together.
“It’s not a surprise that this year’s winner is Coplen Construction. Year in and year out, Coplen has consistently been an advocate for the Builders Association of North Central Indiana and the Indiana Builders Association at large. They strive to promote the value of our association with outstanding commitment and integrity,” Burnworth said in presenting the award.
Douglas Harvey accepted the award on behalf of the entire Coplen Construction team.
The Judge’s Choice Award is a special recognition selected by the guest judges. The honor is given to the home that left a lasting impression through its quality, presentation and overall craftsmanship. Renewal Homes picked that award up, with Miller and Project Manager Casey Kline accepting.
The last award handed out was the People’s Choice Award, presented by Brett Harter, who served as last year’s president of the BANCI. He’s been actively involved in the association and with the Indiana Builders Association for decades.
“As we come to the final award of the evening, we celebrate the one that speaks most clearly to public admiration - the People’s Choice Award,” he said. “This award is determined not by judges or industry professionals, but by the voices of the community. It reflects what moved our visitors most - what captured their attention, sparked their imagination and earned their admiration.”
Since the introduction of the award in 1987, Harter said it has become a beloved tradition. Over the decades, thousands of votes have been cast and 278 homes have graced the Parade. The award honors the one that resonated the most with the public.
“Across the Parade’s 39 years, we’ve seen consistent participation and growing community involvement. Builders who have been the most consistent winners of this award - like T.L. Jackson Construction, Renewal Homes and Coplen Construction - have together earned 24 of the 35 People’s Choice Awards given,” Harter stated.
The award has been shaped by decades of entries from a wide range of builders, he continued, including seasoned veterans and first-time Parade participants.
“The People’s Choice Award is a testament not to tenure, but to impact - to the connection a builder makes with the community through excellence, creativity and detail. Each year, this award remains an open opportunity for new talent to rise, and time after time, they do,” Harter said before presenting the award to Renewal Homes.
Kline and office manager Christine Brown accepted the award for Renewal Homes.
Before presenting the formal awards, Hays recognized each of the builders in this year’s Homes on Parade.
“Every one of these entries represents months, if not years, of preparation and planning, coordination and care. Each builder will receive a plaque as a keepsake, which represents a two-page feature (from the) Parade book this year,” he said.
The builders included, new construction: High Ridge Homes, Ideal Construction (two homes), Coplen Construction, Renewal Homes, JayH Construction; remodel: T.L. Jackson Construction; and Hard Hat: Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County.
Wrapping up the night, Hays, who has retired from professional life, was recognized with Honorary Membership to the BANCI. Kim McKibbin also was recognized as she is retiring.
