Nineteen students within Westfield Washington Schools (WWS) were recognized on May 10 at the 13th annual Westfield Youth Recognition Celebration Breakfast.
Since 2011, the Westfield Youth Assistance Program (WYAP) and Westfield Mayor Andy Cook have held the event to recognize youth in WWS. The event recognizes youth in the 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 youth 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 12th grade.
At the event, a brief presentation was given about each recipient that highlighted their accomplishment. The honorees received their certificates from WWS Superintendent Dr. Paul Kaiser and WYAP Board President Steve Latour. Indianapolis Colts mascot Blue made a special appearance to congratulate the honorees.
Photo provided by Westfield Youth Assistance Program
“It is such an honor for the Westfield Youth Assistance Program Board of Directors to host this event annually,” said Latour, who also serves as the CEO of the Westfield Chamber of Commerce. “There are so many deserving students worthy of being recognized for their courage, focus, achievement, and pure zeal to want to better themselves and the people around them. During our event, we also had the opportunity to acknowledge the parents, family, and teachers who supported these students and have given them every advantage to achieve success.”
Additionally, WYAP had the honor of presenting the two new scholarships to their recipients at the breakfast. The Christine D. Brown Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ashley I., a senior at Westfield High School. The Westfield Youth Assistance Program Scholarship was awarded to Klay P., a Westfield High School senior and former WYAP youth.
2023 students honored during the Youth Recognition Breakfast included:
- Kyelyn N., a first-grade student at Monon Trail
- Keyner E., a first-grade student at Washington Woods
- Fehmi D., a second-grade student at Shamrock Springs
- Marcelino M., a second-grade student at Washington Woods
- Redding M., a third-grade student at Shamrock Springs
- Charlotte I., a third-grade student at Washington Woods
- Gerardo Gonzalez C., a fourth-grade student at Carey Ridge
- Avrious W., a fourth-grade student at Maple Glen
- Victoria Marin M., a fourth-grade student at Maple Glen
- Anthony B., a fourth-grade student at Monon Trail
- Victoria W., a fourth-grade student at Oak Trace
- Piper P., a fourth-grade student at Shamrock Springs
- Isabella J., a fifth-grade student at Westfield Intermediate School
- Kimberly T., a fifth-grade student at Westfield Intermediate School
- Sri B., a fifth-grade student at Westfield Intermediate School
- Victor S., an eighth-grade student at Westfield Middle School
- Bailey M., a sophomore at Westfield High School
- Isaiah H., a junior at Westfield High School
- Libby S., a senior at Westfield High School
About the Westfield Youth Assistance Program
The Westfield Youth Assistance Program (WYAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located at 2728 E. 171st St., Westfield. WYAP serves youth aged 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. 2023 marks the organization’s 14th anniversary. Visit youthassistance.org/westfield for more information.