By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

NORTH WEBSTER — KYLA wrapped up its 32nd year with a dinner Wednesday night at The Owl's Nest, providing a chance to honor students who completed eight projects that encourage leadership through community service.

Over the years, Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy has led the way for more than 800 students across Kosciusko County to complete more than 250 projects that help hone their leadership and communication skills.

More than 30 students from across the county participated in this year's projects.

* * * See the group photo below  * * *

This year's keynote speaker, Warsaw High School Girls basketball Coach Lenny Krebs, provided an energized and insightful approach on leadership, the importance of communication and overcoming obstacles.

Krebs has been outspoken about how a cochlear implant vastly improved his hearing and his ability to coach.

Earlier this year, he took the girls team to the state finals and finished the season with a 26-2 record.

He's in his eighth season with Warsaw and provided numerous entertaining outlooks on Wednesday night on being a leader and bringing out the best in people.

He spoke for about 40 minutes without notes and just a handful of slides.

He said he chose to excel in basketball so that he'd be seen as more than the guy with a hearing aid.

The former basketball standout talked about using his hearing aid to his advantage when shooting free throws in loud, distracting arenas.

In a light-hearted moment, Krebbs recalled a technique he employed when he was a Grace College Basketball standout and preparing to shoot free throws in the presence of a loud, hostile crowd.

"My freshman year in college, I was No. 3 in the nation in free throw shooting. Do you wanna know why? Because I'd step to the free throw line, turn my hearing aid off, (and) shoot my free throw in a quiet gym," he said to the sound of laughter from nearly 150 people at the dinner.

Sometimes, thinking outside of the box can make a difference.

"I began to understand that every negative situation created a positive opportunity. You just had to find it," Krebs added.

Below are summaries of each of the projects:

Pop up for a Purpose – (Collected everyday items such as clothes, hygiene items, art supplies, games. Had a day for Cardinal Services clients to pick out items for their use.
Participants included Sierra Hawley, of Triton; Macy Carson, of Triton; Clara Doll, of Triton and Ava Cosby, who is being homeschooled.

Project Pillows & Promises — (Raised funds to purchase items that were given in Care baskets to clients at Fellowship Missions. The group also made tie pillows that were included in the Care baskets.)
Participants include Anna Sterk, of Tippecanoe Valley; McKenna Lowe, of Tippecanoe Valley; Alexis Elliott, of Tippecanoe Valley; Maris Overbey, of Tippecanoe Valley; and Hailey Borsa, of Tippecanoe Valley.

Cause for Paws — (Raised funds to purchase supplies for the Marshall County Humane Society. The group also made dog treats for the shelter.)
Participants include Kayla Poff, Triton; Hannah Holand, of Triton; and Emma Ortiz, of Triton

Youth Mentoring — (Tutored and mentored middle school and grade school students.)
Participants included Matthew Vander Bie, of Warsaw; Sage Parker, of Warsaw; Ian Parrot, of Warsaw; Luke Smith, of Warsaw; and Jackson Barros, of Lakeland Christian Academy.

Bed Build with Sleep in Heavenly Peace — (Raised funds so they could partner with Sleep in Heavenly Peace and built 20 beds for children in Kosciusko County.)
Participants included Hayden Lechlitner, of Northwood; Landon Bewley, of Tippecanoe Valley; William Mellott, of Tippecanoe Valley; Cruz Nunez, of Tippecanoe Valley; and Brenton Miller, of Tippecanoe Valley.

Joe’s Kids Donation Drive — (Collected funds and supplies to donate to Joe’s Kids so they  could give items to their clients to take home to use for at-home therapy)
Participants included Brooklyn Roberts, of Triton; Taelyn Tom, of Wawasee; and Emerson Krull, of Wawasee.

Hope and Hygiene Drive – (Collected funds and hygiene products that were used to create hygiene packets)
Participants included Titiksha Gorhe, of Warsaw; Sophie Stewart, of Warsaw; Samantha Bloomfield, of Lakeland Christian Academy, and Hilary Renier, of Warsaw.

Kate’s Kart drive – (Raised funds that were donated to Kate’s Kart for the purchase of books that were given to children in the hospital.)
Participants included Hannah Fisher, of Warsaw; Coutney Brower, of Warsaw, and Melanie Hertzler, of Warsaw.

[caption id="attachment_109619" align="aligncenter" width="740"] This year's KYLA class: Front Row (Left to Right) Taelyn Tom, Brooklyn Roberts, Emerson Krull, McKenna Lowe, Maris Overbey, Macy Carson, Emma Ortiz, Hannah Holland, Hilary Renier, Courtney Brower Second Row (Left to Right) Hailey Borsa, Alexis Elliot, Ian Parrott, Jackson Barros, Kayla Poff, Clara Doll, Ava Cosby, Sierra Hawley, Samantha Bloomfield, Melanie Hertzler, Hannah Fisher Back Row (Left to Right) Anna Sterk, Sage Parker, Matthew Vander Bie, Luke Smith, Cruz Nunez, Brenton Miller, Landon Bewley, Hayden Lechlitner, William Mellott. Not Pictured: Titiksha Gorhe, Sophie Stewart[/caption]

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