Tri Alpha Award recipients. Photo provided by Warsaw Community Schools.

News Release

WARSAW — The 60th annual Tri Kappa Honor Reception and awards ceremony was held Thursday, April 17, at Warsaw Community High School Performing Arts Center.

The annual reception recognized the outstanding scholastic achievement of the Warsaw Community High School graduating seniors in the class of 2025. Over 400 guests attended, including 167 students who were honored.

The evening began with the welcome by Troy Akers, WCHS principal. An introduction of Tri Kappa history and mission was then shared by Chapter president Kristine Alderfer.

Troy Akers introduced the guest speaker, Ben Higgins, from WCHS class of 2008. Higgins is an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is co-founder of Generous Coffee and author of the book “Alone in Plain Sight.” He is well known for his role as The Bachelor, Season 20.

Higgins gave an inspiring message to the students about living a life of generosity as the basis of everything they do by caring for others and looking for the outsider.

The Tri Kappa Honor Reception kicked off the beginning of graduation season for the class of 2025.

The WCHS seniors were awarded certificates and were recognized with honor cords which signified their academic standing including summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude.

WCHS also named 26 outstanding students as the Tri Alpha Award recipients. This award honors students for their academic achievement, for contributing to the overall climate of the school based on their involvement and attitude, their eagerness to learn and by enriching the lives of fellow students and faculty.

The 2025 Tri Alpha Award recipients include: Finley Bailey, Aliah Barkey, Yessenia Benitez, Natalie Boley, Benjamin Booren, Lucas Bricker, Lillian Chaney, Braylie Chastain, Kylah Cook, Whitney Dawson, Avery Friedberg, London Hoffman, Isaac Ioane, Parker Justice, Kameron Kauffman, Cole Koontz, Mackenzie Langhorn, Ella Laput, Reed Nelson, Jerica Nier, Rick Orr, Annabel Parker, Lucy Ray, Eleanor Schenk, Drew Sullivan and Eliana Tranparenti.

A reception was provided by Tri Kappa and included Generous Coffee and desserts from The Cake Lady.

From left to right, Tri Kappa members: Ana Manwaring, Mallika Klingaman, Elizabeth Wise, Chapter President Kristine Alderfer, Event Chairs Megan Stone and Ben Bolinger; WCHS senior Carson Gould, principal Troy Akers, WCHS senior Abbey Peterson, speaker Ben Higgins and WCHS senior class principal Tim Devlin. Photo provided by Warsaw Community High School.