Sixteen Westfield Washington Schools (WWS) students were recognized on May 1 at the 14th annual Westfield Youth Recognition Breakfast (YRB).
Since 2011, the Westfield Youth Assistance Program (WYAP) has held the event to recognize local students. The honorees are youth in the Westfield community 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 counselor, teacher, principal, or other school staff submits the nominations to WYAP. A selection committee vets the nominations and chooses the recipients. Nominees can be from all grade levels, with this year’s recipients spanning from first through eighth grade.
Photo provided by Westfield Youth Assistance Program
At the breakfast, Mayor Scott Willis, Former Mayor Andy Cook, and WWS Superintendent Dr. Paul Kaiser provided introductory speeches. This was followed by a speech from former YRB recipient Brandt Grabowski, who was honored when he was in fourth grade and is now a senior at Westfield High School. After a brief presentation of their accomplishments, the honorees received their certificates from WYAP Board President Tammy Havard and Mayor Willis.
“This annual recognition event hosted by the Westfield Youth Assistance Program Board of Directors is a reminder to us all of the strength of the students and how they find a way to succeed despite the challenges they are facing,” Havard said. “It is an honor to celebrate the students surrounded with their parents, families, teachers, and counselors, whose unwavering support has propelled the students toward success.”
Additionally, WYAP had the honor of presenting Reis Middleton, a senior at Westfield High School, with the 2024 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 can’t be over the age of 25.
Westfield High School senior Reis Middleton was presented with the 2024 Christine D. Brown Memorial Scholarship during the breakfast. (Photo provided by Westfield Youth Assistance Program)
Students honored this year were:
- Jarell E., first grader at Washington Woods
- Reagan L., first grader at Carey Ridge
- Advaith N., second grader at Washington Woods
- Alba A., a third grader at Shamrock Springs
- Beckett G., a third grader at Maple Glen
- Clara B., fourth grader at Monon Trail
- McKenna G., fourth grader at Carey Ridge
- Norah B., fifth grader at Westfield Intermediate
- Xander H., fifth grader at Westfield Intermediate
- Marc S., fifth grader at Westfield Intermediate
- Josue L., sixth grader at Westfield Intermediate
- Rosalinda B., eighth grader at Westfield Middle
- Cailee B., eighth grader at Westfield Middle
- Abby K., eighth grader at Westfield Middle
- Bagner C., eighth grader at Westfield Middle
- Cletus T., eighth grader at Westfield Middle
About Westfield Youth Assistance Program
The Westfield Youth Assistance Program is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located at 2728 E. 171st St. WYAP serves youth ages 3 to 17 who are facing challenging life circumstances. WYAP takes a holistic approach to coordinate the community’s vast array of talents, services, and resources to help youth and empower parents and caregivers. 2024 marks the organization’s 15th anniversary. Visit youthassistance.org/westfield for more information.