First Posted: 3/2/2015
BLUFFTON — The hardest thing is selecting just one.
Kaitlin Hawk, of Elida High School, was selected the 2015 “Leader of Tomorrow” during a program held at Bluffton University Monday.
Hawk said after hearing the accomplishments of each nominee, she was totally taken by surprise by the announcement.
“I heard them saying all the things people had done,” Hawk said. “I thought ‘Oh my gosh, there is no way it is going to be me.’”
Hawk was awarded $1,000, which she said she plans to use for college.
Hawk said the most rewarding part of the selection was that people notice she is trying to make a difference.
“Everything I am involved in has changed me,” Hawk said. “I think I have found who I was through all the things that I have done. It is important to me that someone notices what I am trying to do.”
Hawk is the daughter of Ron and Barb Hawk. She has started projects such as the Elida Village Food Drive, the school courtyard lighting project and the tie-blanket project at Samaritan House, just to name a few. She carries a 3.78 grade point average. She is involved in cheerleading, chamber choir, jazz choir, Allen Lima Youth Leadership, National Honor Society, student council secretary and Junior Statesman of America. She is the presidentof her class. She was also involved in Hugh O’Brian Leadership, the WBL Sportsmanship Committee and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
The other 10 finalist were Chelsey Boecker, of Ottoville High School, Audrey Bowsher, of Spencerville High School, Monica Glick, of Shawnee High School, Anita Kottapalli, of Shawnee High School, Kasey Kruse, of Columbus Grove High School, Megan Langhals, of Columbus Grove High School, Trevor McMichael, of Spencerville High School, Kennis Mercer, of Crestview High School, and Shea Watkins, of Pandora-Gilboa High School.
Hawk said she plans to study zoology as a pre-veterinarian major with a minor in dance. She is undecided between Ohio State University and Miami of Ohio.
This year, there were 118 students selected from 30 area schools. The students in grades 11 and 12 are selected based on their leadership in their schools and communities based on volunteerism, academic success and extracurricular activities. The nominees are selected by guidance counselors in the schools. Ten finalists are then selected by a panel of community leaders with one winner named as the overall “Leader of Tomorrow.” The program is jointly sponsored by the university and The Lima News.
“This gives us a chance to partner with The Lima News to recognize students in our community that will be our future leaders,” said Derek Stemen, director of admissions at Bluffton. “We believe it is important to recognize the differences our student leaders can make. It also shows that they can be an example to their peers in the power of their service.”
Stemen said the university is happy to co-sponsor the program because community involvement and service in leadership are two of the core values of the university.
“There is constantly such quality high character among our students in the Lima area,” Stemen said. “It is always a difficult decision.”
