Twenty-eight Kosciusko County high school students made up this year's Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy. (Photo by Carl Lauster)

Twenty-eight students from six area high schools attended Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy graduation Wednesday night at Champagne Jam restaurant in Warsaw. Guest speaker was Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer.

Each year students are required to complete a project that emphasizes service to the local community. Each year the juniors are required to work on service related project. “We have several unique projects this year, said Tony Ciriello, KYLA board member, including a senior citizen prom.

KYLA President Carl Lauster was the emcee for the evening and named the students as they received their diplomas.

Two students were selected to present their project to be featured at tonight’s event. Connor Singrey and Alek Jansen of Warsaw Community High School, presented their Boomerang Backpacks project.

The two juniors fill backpacks full of food for select students at Lincoln Elementary School to take home home on the weekends. The two juniors reported an increase in productivity in the elementary students, who are underprivleged, and success in their grades at school.

Also, each year two students are selected to serve on next year’s board. Fayth Glock of Lakeland Christian Academy, and Tanner Dickerhoff of Warsaw Community School, were selected to serve on next year’s KYLA board.

Mayor Thallemer spoke of the endless opportunities to the students. He said, “Opportunity fuels leadership” and that opportunity is defined as “a favorable circumstance.”

He told the students to broaden their horizons and to try new things, ask a lot of questions, balance your life and take time for yourself.

“Put 110 percent into everything you do.” Thallemer said.