Shown are the 2023-2024 Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy students. In front, from left are Kaytlin Skeans, Warsaw Community High School; Ruth Heckaman, Warsaw Community High School; Samantha Middaugh, Triton Junior-Senior High School; Eleanor Schenck, Warsaw Community High School; Jetta Hughes, Tippecanoe Valley High School; Gabriella Griffith, Whitko Junior-Senior High School; Piper Elrod, Lakeland Christian Academy; Isaac Winters, Wawasee High School.
In the second row are Sydney King, Triton Junior-Senior High School; Ella Beer, Wawasee High
School; Allison Slone, Warsaw Community High School; Caden Large, Triton Junior-Senior High School; Benjamin McFarland, Triton Junior-Senior High School; Griffin Roe, Warsaw Community High School; Sutton Victa, Warsaw Community High School/Homeschooled; Marisol Anahi Cervantes Maldonado, Warsaw Community High School; Dayton Sibert, Lakeland Christian Academy; Nevaeh Lowe, Lakeland Christian Academy.
In back are Josue Montoya, Warsaw Community High School; Mya Davis, Triton Junior-
Senior High School; Travis Barnhart, Triton Junior-Senior High School; Luke Kompagne, Wawasee High School; Amy Brown, Whitko Junior-Senior High School; Colton Crabb, Tippecanoe Valley High School; Micah Macias, Wawasee High School; Noah Macias, Wawasee High School; Lucas Conley, Warsaw Community High School. Not Pictured: Kohen Schipper, Whitko Junior-Senior High School. Photo provided by KYLA.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — All 28 members of the 2023-24 Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy Class attended the 31st graduation Wednesday, May 1, at The Owl’s Nest, North Webster.

Barbara Ridley, the 2023 Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce “Woman of the Year” was the guest speaker. Her topic was her opportunities and leadership in the county. She started her presentation with several definitions of leadership, followed by her own personal experience, her leadership involvement and how she received those roles.

She noted leadership is pursued and leadership is bestowed. “My road to leadership was by setting goals, ground rules, having a mission statement and diversifying,” said Ridley. She concluded her presentation with a verbal resume which included all areas of her road to leadership positions.

Barbara Ridley, 2023 Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce “Woman of the Year” spoke on leadership.

Ridley stated leadership pursued is when you are looking for office such as leading a company. Leadership bestowed is being quiet, observing more than speaking. “It’s OK to work behind the scene without recognition,” she said, adding she is an introvert and has learned to walk past her fears. “The positions I hold were bestowed. I didn’t ask,” she said.

She shared how often times one thing leads to another, which happened to her. “When I commit, I do not quit,” she said. She told the KYLA members, their parents, administrators, and members of the community that by setting goals, ground rules, having a mission statement and being diversified, “you get places you never thought you’d be.”

Over her life, she has added numerous skills, leading her to two college degrees. She has started a sewing guild, is taking various martial arts trainings, walking and exercising with a personal trainer. Learning was also stressed. “Learn all you can and learn to communicate.”

She concluded her speech with a saying her late husband always told their children. “You can’t soar with eagles and run with turkeys.”

The evening concluded with presentations of two of the projects by KYLA class members. Food 2 Go and Warming Hearts projects were presented.

Food 2 Go was a program to bring food to middle school students at Edgewood and Lakeview. The five-member team purchased paper bags, created flyers explaining their project, dropped bags off on front porches in Warsaw asking for nonperishable food items, and picked up those bags several days later. Over 250 bags were dropped off and they raised $255. The students delivered 75 bags full of groceries and split the donations between the schools. They are hoping their efforts will be continued to make an impact.

Warming Hearts – Providing Compassion One Blanket at a time, was a project where tied blankets were made and distributed to fire stations and Fellowship Missions. The blankets were made by the team members, along with assistance from Fellowship Missions. The group started with 50 blankets and through community and church support, 90 blankets have been given out.

Other projects included:

Treats for Pups — Made dog treats for Animal Welfare League.

Engineering with Fellowship Missions — Helped brainstorm and plan efficient ways to use a new space at Fellowship Missions.

Growing Foundation #2 — Carried the legacy of a former group by raising money to buy and plant trees in Kosciusko County.

Triangle Trinkets — Used upcycled and recycled materials to make toys for children at Fellowship Missions.

Sutton Victa and Eleanor Schenck were announced as the two at-large board of directors for the 2024-25 KYLA program.

Each class member was presented with a graduation certificate to conclude the evening.

KYLA is a nonprofit organization that provides an opportunity for high school juniors in Kosciusko County to learn about leadership and become informed about the community they live in.

Applications are being accepted for next year’s class. Current high school sophomores are eligible to apply. The online application, as well as additional information about KYLA, can be found at kosciuskoyouthleadership.org. The application deadline is May 19.

Shown are members of the 2023-2024 students who participated in the Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy. Shown in the center of the front row is guest speaker Barbara Ridley. Photo by Deb Patterson.