Pictured above are winners and attendees at the inaugural Le Herron Rising Leader Awards held recently at the Union County Services Center.
(Photo submitted)
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On Saturday, 30 sophomore and junior high schoolers from Union County were presented with the inaugural Le Herron Rising Leader Awards for demonstrating authentic, servant leadership.
The students were selected by a panel of community leaders for making a positive difference in the community by putting others before self. Each individual recognized at the ceremony was nominated by someone in the community who felt strongly that their efforts to be a leader should be commended. Students were invited, along with their parents and special guests, to attend the award ceremony at the Union County Serivces Center.
The students recognized were Avery Bautsch, Taylor Burnham, Mary Calvert, Matthew Curie, Devon Ellington, Niko Galvis, Caroline Geraghty, Kalor Greve, Maggie Hazelbaker, Gracie Hubbs, Ian Johnson, Sophia Kabealo, Riley Karnes, Tristan Karnes, Carly Kramer, Joel Krebehenne, Katie Krueger, Natasha Leiter, Olivia Martindale, Jack McPheron, Megan Melish, Bryce Nicholson, Seth Parish, Sean Richardson,Chloe Riggsby, Isabelle Shroyer, Kaylee Smith, Emily Truskoski, Jazmyn Zurcher and Avery Zwayer.
As finalists for the award, each student received a certificate of excellence, a commemorative award coin, a $100 cash award, the opportunity to receive invitations to leadership lunches, and the opportunity to connect with a mentor from Union County who will help them develop and grow their skills.
“He who will be first, will be last,” are the words of F. Leon Herron, who is the model after which this award program was molded. Herron is a World War II veteran, author, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, mentor, and former chief executive officer for O.M. Scott and Sons, now known as ScottsMiracle-Gro, one of the best-known companies in the world.
The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Clay Dyer, who was born without any lower limbs, no left arm and a partial right arm. He became a nationally recognized professional angler despite these physical disabilities. The Tennessee resident has appeared on ESPN, Fox, CNN Headline News, Versus, the Outdoor Channel, Fox Sports South, the 700 Club, and CBS.
He shared his inspirational story of overcoming his personal obstacles in life through his faith and determination to achieve.
The emcee for the event was ABC 6 WSYX and Fox 28 WTTE Emmy Award-winning reporter, producer and editor Mike McCarthy.
The Le Herron Rising Leader Award was created in a community partnership between McCarthy & Cox |Retirement & Estate Specialists, Connolly Construction, Honda Marysville, Impact 60, Memorial Health, The Richwood Banking Company, and Scotts Miracle-Gro. More information about the Le Herron Rising Leader Award and how to nominate a student for next year, those interested may visit www.LeHerron.com.