Cicero resident Sara Colter has been presented the Ida Yaney Overholser Award for her contributions to the Teach One to Lead One (T1L1) mentoring program at Hamilton Heights High School and Middle School.
Colter has been a part of the mentoring program since it launched in the fall of 2019 and has served as a lead mentor, program coordinator, and board member with the organization.
The Ida Award is given to a person who has worked behind the scenes to help children overcome obstacles to become leaders. T1L1 is a unique mentoring program that partners caring people in the community with the school corporation to equip students to be leaders. It is centered on 10 universal principles needed for success: respect, integrity, self-control, courage, humility, excellence, compassion, enthusiasm, teamwork and honor.
Hamilton Heights was the first school in Indiana to offer the T1L1 program. The program is expanding to other school districts, and Colter has been a catalyst in its growth.
Ida Yaney Overholser was born in Indiana in 1885. Throughout her life, she experienced heartbreaking loss and tragedy, but overcame these obstacles with a lot of grace. In her 100 years, she served as a caregiver to people in need and a comforter to those who had experienced great loss in life, as she had. The Ida Award honors her legacy to bestow grace and kindness to people in need.
“Ida was my grandmother,” said Kevin Yaney, the president of the T1L1 Central Indiana Board. “When it comes to showing great kindness to people and making connections behind the scenes to benefit young people, Sara Colter and my grandma have a lot in common. She is a compassionate and tireless worker. Her devotion to helping students find purpose and potential in life will have a lasting impact in our community.”