Heights YAP celebrates students’ success with IMPACT Awards

Last Thursday, The Hamilton Heights Youth Assistance Program celebrated the success of 12 amazing students at the seventh annual IMPACT Awards Dinner at Hamilton Heights Middle School.

The event drew in students, their families, Hamilton Heights School Corporation personnel, and local dignitaries from the greater Hamilton County area and beyond for this special celebration of accomplishments.

The program recognizes one student per grade, K-12, who successfully maneuvered through a challenge in his or her life. Students can be nominated by a teacher, guidance counselor, administrator, or any staff member who feels a student is deserving of the award.

“I look forward to this event every year,” said Mary Ann Haymaker, Hamilton Heights Youth Assistance Early Intervention Advocate, who was an instrumental part of creating this annual recognition program. “This time is truly about the kids and recognizing the impact they have made on their teachers and classmates. It is a special time to come together and honor their hard work, resilience, and determination of these students to rise above a challenging issue that may otherwise have negatively impacted their life.”

The 2024 Hamilton Heights Youth Assistance IMPACT Award Recipients along with their presenters include:

• K: Temperance Barrows
• 1^st: Maddie Yochum
• 2^nd: Jacob Boutwell
• 3^rd: Keagan Moe
• 4^th: Jordan Moloch
• 5^th: Sophia Giguere
• 6^th: Lilli Evans
• 7^th: Zyon Evans
• 8^th: Kharma Costello-Yeary
• 9^th: No student this year
• 10^th: Vincent Pisano
• 11^th: Devon Alsup
• 12^th: Adriann Poland

In addition, Gus (HHHS ’01) and Tillman Etchison (HHHS ’24) presented Stephanie McQuinn, a Special Education Teacher at Hamilton Heights High School, with the 2024 Tony Etchison Memorial Award.

“Stephanie is an exceptional teacher who does so much to help her students,” Haymaker said. “She really exemplifies the traits that were important to Tony, loves everyone, be kind, and make a difference.”

The event’s emcee, Hamilton Heights School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Derek Arrowood, said the awards ceremony is truly a celebration of the accomplishment and triumph of these students, many of whom have overcome significant challenges in their lives.

“These are extraordinary students who have shown the will and grit to overcome despite their situations,” Arrowood said. “The adversities these students have faced did not limit their ability to succeed inside and outside the classroom. Their examples can be a lesson to all of us that anyone can overcome challenges in their life and become an inspiration to others.”

The memorable evening was made possible, in part, thanks to the generous support of this year’s sponsors: Lehman and Company, P.C., Powers Septic and Sewer, Mr. Muffins Trains, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, The Farmers Bank, Mid-Indiana Marine, Gymies Fitness Center, Specialty Tax, Purkey’s Heating and Cooling, Jackson Township Trustee, Bender Homes, Mercantile 37, CSO Architecture-Interior Design, Monuments by Robinsons and Sons, Arcadia Christian Church, Noblesville Elks, Westbrook Village, and Gatewood’s Vegetable Farm and Greenhouse.

A special thank you to the Youth Assistance Program Board: Tricia Akers, Dr. Derek Arrowood, Sarah Buckner, Judge Michael Casati, Jeanann Dodson, Jeremy Hunt, Syd Loomis, Natasha Robinson, Emily Schmale, Zach Smith, and Perry Williams.

Also, thanks to the following individuals for all their help making this such a successful evening: Tina Deavers, Melissa Martin, Toby Etchison, Jeanann Dodson, Summer Bailey, Amanda Hunt, and Grace Hunt.