A group of Westview students is doing its part to make LaGrange County a great place to live.
The five students — one student each from grades eight through 12 — are involved in a group called LIFE, which stands for LaGrange Independent Foundation for Endowment.
Each month, the students join a group of their peers from Lakeland, Prairie Heights and Howe Military schools in LaGrange County to volunteer at various locations throughout the county. Volunteer activities have included picking up trash and reading to local elementary school students.
Along with their volunteer work, the group holds monthly meetings to determine what types of projects they want to work on and which organizations they would like to see receive grant money.
The group is sponsored by the Dekko Foundation, and group members use Dekko grants to help offset the cost of things, including bringing speakers to LaGrange County schools and funding various summer programs.
The LIFE group is a service-minded bunch.
“I wanted to meet new people and give back to the county. This is a real good chance for students to do that,” said senior Austin Miller, explaining why he applied to be part of the group.
Sophomore Brocia Beachy learned about the group from a friend, who was a member at the time. When her friend moved away, Beachy replaced her in the group.
“It’s taught me a lot,” said Beachy. One of those lessons: “If you have ideas, share them; don’t just sit there.”
Freshman Kristin Steider said that she wanted to give back to the community “and LIFE offered that opportunity.” She said she also learned a lot of responsibility in the group.
For junior Kyle Gough, it has been rewarding to give back to others, but also to learn about how a non-profit organization works.
“I have learned leadership skills and have learned when to speak and when not to speak. This group has helped me a lot,” he said.
The youngster of the group, eighth-grader Skyler Carpenter, said she has liked meeting all the new people she’s gotten to know through LIFE and enjoys giving back to the community.
At Westview, the LIFE group is assisted by guidance counselor Eric Yordy. Also assisting the group with its work is Loren Heinlen, who works for the LaGrange County Community Foundation, and Jody Holsinger, a volunteer who helps the group stay on track.
Once a student is selected for the LIFE program, he or she continues in the program through senior year. Each year, the members of the group talk to seventh graders about the group and then have interviews with the interested applicants. The student chosen becomes the eighth grade representative in LIFE the next year.
In addition to all the volunteer work the group does, LIFE also provides a $250 scholarship to one recipient at each LaGrange County high school. The recipient is selected based on his or her community service work.
Local News
Students enjoy LIFE
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