By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
NORTH WEBSTER — Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy on Wednesday celebrated the success of community projects organized by 28 students from six area high schools.
For more than three decades, KYLA has helped students nurture leadership traits with them taking on small group projects that help the community.
One group helped Fellowship Missions brainstorm and plan for efficient ways to use a future space for the homeless shelter.
Another continued the legacy of raising money to plant trees in Kosciusko County.
While yet another made 90 blanks and distributed them to emergency responders to be handed out to individuals in need.
This year marks the 31st year of KYLA and more than 100 people attended a graduation banquet at the Owl’s Nest in North Webster to celebrate their achievements.
The dinner’s keynote speaker, Barbara Ridley, talked about various elements that provided her with leadership skills that led to an expansive career that included numerous jobs in different fields as well as roles in the community.
Ridley emphasized lifelong learning and the importance of diversifying your knowledge while also pointing out the attributes of good leadership.
Miriel McFarland, the organization’s special events coordinator and moderator for Wednesday’s dinner, said the efforts help students focus on improving interpersonal skills, something that’s become a challenge for youth in the digital age.
Much of the work for students involves making calls to people needed as they develop projects.
“Some people talk a lot about anxiety and youth and I think a large part of that is because they don’t know how to interact with other people, and this obviously, is a way get their name out there, get their foot out there and dip their toes in the water,” McFarland said.
Here is a summary of each of the Project Prouds:
- 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.
- Food 2 Go — Raised money and organized food donations to local middle schools
- Warming Hearts — Made and delivered blankets around Kosciusko County to be handed out to individuals in need.
KYLA is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 academic year.
All applications this year will be filed online. Go to www.KosciuskoYouthLeadership.org and click on the “apply” tab.
