Outstanding Westfield youth overcome adversity

A total of 13 Westfield Washington Schools (WWS) students were recognized on May 7 at Westfield Youth Assistance Program’s (WYAP) 15^th annual Youth Recognition Breakfast (YRB), presented by the City of Westfield.

Since 2011, the YRB has recognized outstanding WWS youth. The honorees, nominated by counselors, teachers, principals, and other school staff, are students who have overcome adversity at home or school, have demonstrated a profound positive change in their attitude or behavior, or have made an extraordinary academic turnaround. A selection committee vets the nominations and chooses the recipients. Nominees can be from all grade levels, with this year’s recipients spanning from kindergarten through 11th grade.

At the breakfast, Mayor Scott Willis provided an introductory speech. This was followed by a speech from former YRB recipient, Bronson Kooy, a Westfield High School alumnus. Amy Prater, Mariana Escobar, and Aberneris Jimenez introduced the recipients and presented them with their certificates.

“It is our deepest hope that the 13 students who were recognized at this year’s Youth Recognition Breakfast feel poured into, encouraged, supported, and acknowledged for their accomplishments,” WYAP Board Member and Chair of the Youth Recognition Breakfast Committee Alyssa McCool said. “They have each demonstrated incredible resilience and perseverance, and our desire as the Westfield Youth Assistance Program Board of Directors, along with their nominating teachers, is that they know how much we believe in them and their ability to succeed. It is our absolute honor and privilege to be able to celebrate these most deserving Westfield students!”

(From left) Madeline Linville, the 2025 Christine D. Brown Memorial Scholarship recipient, with WYAP Board President Tammy Havard and WYAP Board President-Elect Brittany Winebar. (Photo provided by Westfield Youth Assistance Program)

Additionally, WYAP had the honor of presenting Madeline Linville, a senior at Westfield High School, with the 2025 Christine D. Brown Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a youth who has proven that they know their purpose and own their own power. The recipient must be continuing their education, must have resided in Westfield Washington Township, and must be under the age of 25.

Students honored

• Jillian S., a Kindergartener at Washington Woods
• Tyler W., a first grader at Washington Woods
• Delmer A., a second grader at Indiana School for the Deaf
• Savannah B., a third grader at Carey Ridge
• Noe G., a third grader at Washington Woods
• Clayton W., a third grader at Maple Glen
• Taurean E., a fourth grader at Shamrock Springs
• Gustavo H., a fourth grader at Shamrock Springs
• Kris C., a fifth grader at Westfield Intermediate School
• Nathalie L., a sixth grader at Westfield Middle School
• Angel Salvador F., a seventh grader at Westfield Middle School
• Joice B., an eighth grader at Westfield Middle School
• Jasmine M., an 11th grader at Westfield High School