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May 26, 2021
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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WABASH, IN PERMIT NO. 233 Vol. 44, No. 11
They’re Self Reliant 4 high school seniors honored for overcoming obstacles, living life to their fullest By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com Four Wabash County high school seniors – three from Northfield and one from Manchester – were honored Tuesday, May 18, during the Midwest Eye Consultants SelfReliance program. Honored were Emma Brainard, Brenton Jackson and McKenzie Roth of Northfield, and Sheila Winger of Manchester. The four each received a $1,500 gift which can be used as they see fit. This is the 32nd year for the program, which is administered by the Wabash Kiwanis Club. It is designed to honor students who do the best they can in spite of the cards they’ve been dealt in life. This year’s recipients overcame such things as serious illness, autism and more. For 2021, Wabash Kiwanis received 11 applicants for the awards, with seven semi-finalists selected after applications, essays and references were read by a committee of Kiwanis members. Those semi-finalists were then interviewed by a three-person committee from the Club and four finalists were selected. “It worked really well because after our seventh semi-finalist left the room after interviews, the three of us talked really briefly because we had four very clear winners who separated themselves from the rest,” Self-Reliance Chair Beth Miller said. “This is a really impressive group of young people and all for very different reasons. “The independence, maturity and excellence that these four have shown in the early years of their lives should be commended and celebrated, which is exactly what we did today. Thank you to Dr. Greg Garner and Midwest Eye Consultants for
Northfield’s McKenzie Carolynn Roth accepts her award from Dr. Gregory Garner.
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WHS announces 2021 Valedictorian, Salutatorian
Northfield’s Emma L. Brainard accepts her award from Dr. Bruce Trump.
By Mandy Mahan mmahan@thepaperofwabash.com Officials from Wabash High School have announced that the 2021 Valedictorian is Lingjun (Linda) Fu, and the Salutatorian is Madison Bartoo. Fu plans on attending Indiana University Bloomington to major in business and pre-law. During her high school career, she was involved in tennis, Key Club, Apaches in Action, SADD, Campus Life, Student Council, Book Club, Extension Club, Capernaum, Crossroads Bank Junior Board of Directors, National Honors Society and band. She was also involved in many community services including ringing bells for Salvation Army, F.I.S.H Food Pantry, Red Cross blood drive and the Wabash Rotary Club. “It’s very rewarding to be awarded valedictorian since academics have always been a priority throughout my life,” said Fu. “By takMADISON ing many dual credit courses at Wabash High School, I have been BARTOO able to have a little taste of the academic challenges I will experience in the future.” Fu said that in her lifetime, she would like to help end stereotypes. “I wish people would stop making assumptions about others because everyone has a different story that you don’t know about.” Bartoo said that she feels honored and excited to be named Salutatorian. “The work that I’ve put into these past four years has led up to this award,” she said. Bartoo plans to attend Ball State Univerity to major in journalism. During her high school career, Bartoo has been involved with swimming, tennis, Student Council, Book Club, Academic Team, Mayor’s Youth Council, Superintendent’s Advisory Committee, LINDA FU SADD, Apaches in Action, Student Publications and Eco Club. She hopes to help raise awareness to different things. “A lot of people don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors, and we need to just treat people with kindness no matter what,” she said. Fu and Bartoo will be recognized as Valedictorian and Slutatorian at the Wabash High School 2021 Graduation Ceremony this Friday, May 28.
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Manchester’s Sheila Mary Winger accepts her award from Dr. Gregory Garner.
Northfield’s Brenton Jackson accepts his award from Dr. Bruce Trump. Photos by Joseph Slacian
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