American Legion Auxiliary Unit 347 recognized several outstanding young people at their September monthly meeting.
Leesburg High School freshman Jordan Keller was surprised at the event to find out her essay, “What I can do as a student to be a better citizen,” earned top honors making it all the way to earn Best Essay at the state level. She is now in contention for the national award in the contest sponsored by the National American Legion Auxiliary.
Her essay was written last school year while she was a student a Carver Middle School.
“It is such an honor to receive this award,” said Keller. “The topic was important to me and I wanted to do it for Miss Morton, she is one of the best teachers I have ever had.”
Katherine Morton is an American history teacher at CMS.
Also surprised to be receiving awards were Brooke Wiesenecker and Nathan Wurgler. Cathy Trout, Children & Youth chairman, presented each of them with the Good Deed award which comes from the national level and a certificate of appreciation from Unit 347. Both of these young people helped with Vacation Bible Study Bible at Life Pointe Church in Leesburg.
“They helped out for the whole week with the four-year-olds; they deserve this award,” said Trout. “The purpose of this program is to let people know there are children out there doing good deeds.”
Another component of this new award is the Hero Award. It has not yet been given, but is intended to honor a child who helps out in an emergency situation. If you know of a child who deserves either the Good Deed or Hero award, please contact Cathy Trout at 812-208-8966.
Lake Weir High School sophomore Nathan Alward, a member of the JROTC, closed the program. He received a scholarship form the Auxiliary to attend the National Youth Leader program in Washington, DC this summer. He gave a report on what his trip to DC meant to him. He was placed in the defense division and worked with drones. Attending the program solidified for him that he wants to join the marines, and now he knows he wants to focus on working with drones. When Alward first joined the JROTC as a freshman, he wasn’t sure he was going to stick with it. “I was very nervous and stayed to myself. Senior cadet, Nick Watke, really brought me out of my shell,” said Alward. “He asked me to hang out with him and really showed me how much more there is to the JROTC than just military. He became my really good friend.”
Nick Watke is the young man killed in a motorcycle accident last year.
