Law enforcement, firefighter, teacher of the year named along with top area scholars

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The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1152 experienced a packed house on Jan. 9 as students and their families joined a collection of teachers, local police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and firefighters for an evening of recognition and scholarships.

The VFW awarded its annual Law Enforcement Officer of the Year nominations to Alex Harper of the Kokomo Police Department and William Cline of the Howard County Sheriff’s Office. It designated Thadeus Hall of the Kokomo Fire Department as its Firefighter of the Year nominee, and Tracy Moon, principal at Taylor Middle School, was awarded the nomination for Teacher of the Year.

Each of the nominees were advanced to the VFW’s statewide competition for the Indiana titles, the winner of which will be considered for the national title of law enforcement, firefighter, and teacher of the year.

The nominees were joined by students from all of Howard County’s public schools for a dinner and presentation arranged by the VFW. Those students were present to receive a variety of scholarships offered by the veterans’ organization.

The scholarships were separated into two different programs. The first – the Patriot Pen – was awarded to Kioni Lee, Emma Ailor, Selina Eaton, Tei Anya Mitchell, Gabriella Roberts, Carrigan Beckom, Jacob Grant, and Tyler Elwell. Each student received $50 and advanced to a district competition for greater awards.

Similarly, Gavin Vester of Eastern was named the third-place scholarship winner in the Patriot Pen competition, receiving $100 and advancement. Second place went to Taryn Eubanks of Maple Crest Middle School, who received a $250 scholarship. And first place Miah Gonzalez from Maple Crest Middle School, who received a $500 scholarship.

Post 1152 also awarded its Voice of Democracy scholarships. Fourth place in that competition went to Isabella Stockley, who won a $100 scholarship. Rae Jean Bell took third place and a $250 scholarship. Second place was awarded to Annabelle Hintz, who took home a $500 scholarship, and Dakota Spray was the first-place winner, locally, receiving a $1,000 scholarship.

All of the Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy winners advanced to a district competition. Eubanks won the Patriot Pen district competition and an additional $200 scholarship, and Hintz, of Taylor, prevailed in the Voice of Democracy district competition, garnering an additional $300 scholarship.

The VFW also presented a special educational honor, the Alice Capshaw Award, to teacher Leslie Ackerman. The award was named for VFW Auxilary member Capshaw, who passed away after decades of service to the organization.