6th Annual Impact Awards Celebrates Students’ Success

The Hamilton Heights Youth Assistance Program celebrated the success of 13 amazing students at its 6th annual Impact Awards Dinner at Beck’s Hybrids in Atlanta, Indiana on Wednesday. The event drew in students, their families, Hamilton Heights School Corporation personnel, and local dignitaries from the greater Hamilton County area and beyond for this special celebration of accomplishment.

The program recognizes one student per grade (grades K – 12) who successfully maneuvered through a challenge in their life. Students can be nominated by a teacher, guidance counselor, administrator, or any staff member that feels a student is deserving of the award.

“I look forward to this event every year,” said Mary Ann Haymaker, Hamilton Heights Youth Assistance Early Intervention Advocate. “This time is truly about the kids and recognizing the impact they have made on their teachers and classmates. It is a special time to come together and honor their hard work, resilience, and determination of these students to rise above a challenging issue that may otherwise have negatively impacted their life.”

The 2023 Hamilton Heights Youth Assistance IMPACT Award Recipients along with their presenters include:

K: Aaliyah Eastland – Sara Smith

1st: Brandon Dillard -Tracy Zachary

2nd: Tommy Kloepfer -Tracy Zachary & Chelsea Kleyla

3rd: Evelyn Young – Marianne Collar

4th: Ethan Vondersaar -Tracy Zachary

5th: Drew Champion – John Walsh

6th: Saniya Thomas – Emily Mcclelland

7th: Avery Patterson – Bonny Stites

8th: Hattie Graham – Kari Beery

9th: Eva Pierce – Caty Wiegman

10th: Adalyne Price – Caty Wiegman

11th: Aerial Trump – Dee Roper

12th: Ethan Mead – Krista Shields

In addition, JP Etchison presented Sabrina Duncan, Hamilton Heights Middle School Counselor, with the 2023 Tony Etchison Memorial Award. “Sabrina is an incredibly caring and compassionate individual,” said MaryAnn Haymaker. “She is accessible, available, and simply a wonderful human being that has a knack for bringing joy to others. She represents everything this award is about.”

The event’s emcee, Dr. Derek Arrowood, Hamilton Heights School Corporation Superintendent, said the event is truly a celebration of the accomplishments and triumph of these students, many of whom have overcome significant challenges in their lives. “These are extraordinary students who have shown the will and grit to overcome despite their situations,” he said. “The adversities these students have faced did not limit their ability to succeed inside and outside the classroom. Their examples can be a lesson to all of us that anyone can overcome challenges in their life and become an inspiration to others. They certainly are to me.”

The memorable evening was made possible, in part, thanks to the generous support of this year’s sponsors: Beck’s Hybrids, White River Christian Church, Bender Homes, Monuments by Robinson & Sons, Berrycomm, Cicero Pool & Spa, Cicero Insurance Agency, The Farmer’s Bank, Purkey’s Heating and Cooling, Church Church Hittle + Antrim, Powers Septic and Sewer, Big Dog’s Smokehouse, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, Adler Attorneys, Jackson Township Trustees Office, Specialty Tax Services, Logan Street Banners and Signs, Spring Valley Storage, Noblesville Elks, North Central Outdoor Power, and Blades Audio Video.

A special thank you to, the Youth Assistance Program Board Tricia Akers, Dr. Derek Arrowood, Sarah Buckner, Judge Michael Casati, Jeanann Dodson, Judge Paul Felix, Jessica Heiser, Jeremy Hunt, Syd Loomis, Natasha Robinson, Emily Schmale, Zach Smith, and Perry Williams.