From cooking in a nursing home kitchen to ringing a Salvation Army bell, from helping a Habitat for Humanity home project to collecting pillowcases which will be turned into clothing to helping mark a community trail, this year’s group of Youth Power & Hope Awards winners serve all walks.

From the edges of the state they come, two from the far south and three from the far north, but from their communities, across the state and all the way to Uganda and Nicaragua their service can be felt.

Electric Consumer established the award in 2009 to recognize those from the state’s younger generation who are stewards of their community. Beginning in July, the publication issued a call for entries from Indiana fifth through eighth graders who actively serve their communities. The entrants had to list their community involvement, describe what community service means to them and provide a letter of reference from someone in their community.

Winners will attend a special program for them during the Indiana Electric Cooperatives’ Annual Meeting in Indianapolis Dec. 6.

With great pleasure Electric Consumer announces the winners of the 2016 Youth Power and Hope Awards. They are:

Camiren Zellers, Tell City, Indiana

Seventh Grade
Perry Central Jr.-Sr. High
Camiren’s home is served electrically by Southern Indiana Power

Thirteen-year-old boys willing to cook and conduct exercise and craft classes with elderly residents of a nursing home are few and far between. But those are some of the standout activities that Camiren Zellers has done to earn a Youth Power & Hope Award.

“Community service, to me, is simply helping when it is in need, striving to make my community a better place, in little and big ways,” he said.

Camiren’s mother works at a Tell City nursing home. He said he enjoys accompanying her to share in various activities with the residents.

“Just playing a game of cards with them or sitting and reading to them puts a smile on their face,” he said. “Community service is a big part of my life. And no matter what, I will be there for my community.”

He’s active in 4-H and his church, and participates in numerous school activities.

“As a friend of the family, I have personally witnessed Camiren’s outstanding generosity of self for others with a great positive attitude,” wrote Sr. Mary Emma Jochum, in recommending Camiren for the YPH honor.

Jace French, Leopold, Indiana

Seventh Grade
Perry Central Jr.-Sr. High
Jace’s home is served electrically by Southern Indiana Power

Jace French, quoted Martin Luther King Jr. in his YPH application: “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.”

Jace and his cousin — Camiren Zellers, also a YPH winner this year — often work side-by-side in service to community. Jace, too, has volunteered at a nursing home and is active in the same 4-H club, at church and at school.

Jace lists other activities including shopping for Christmas Angels and ringing a Salvation Army Bell at the local Walmart.

“I have known Jace for years, and he is a pleasant, thoughtful young man … who takes pride in his work and in his accomplishments,” wrote Debra Dauby, his 4-H leader, in recommending Jace. “He is a perfect role model for youth … his spirit of cooperation, leadership, and volunteerism is very impressive.”

Jace also noted his involvement in Special Olympics and the good feeling he gets seeing others enjoying themselves.

“When I give back to the community, it makes me feel better inside because I was able to make a difference. Just like Dr. King said, it did make me feel great,” Jace added.

Lillian Tolmen, Union Mills, Indiana

Sixth Grade
South Central Community
 Elementary School
Lillian’s home is served electrically by Kankakee Valley REMC

‘To me, community service is not only what immediately pops into your mind when you think about it, such as helping a lady cross the street or picking up trash along the roads,” noted Lillian Tolmen in her YPH application.

“Community service can be as little as bringing joy into the community such as participating in a talent show if that’s what you’re good at or simply running a concession stand to get an adult a refreshment. It may be a little thing we can all do that can simply make someone’s day and put smiles on their faces.… I think most of all, community service is when you see someone or something that needs help, and you help fill that need without being asked.”

Lillian has a wide variety of community service experiences working for Habitat for Humanity, and helping within her church, school and 4-H.

“Although Lillian is young, she is eager for involvement,” wrote her 4-H club leader, Linda Pardue. “Lillian is right there, ready to use her past as a huge stepping stone into a community-minded future.”

“Volunteering is important in a community,” noted Lillian. “It helps people and brings joy into their lives.”

Nichelle Phares, Ligonier, Indiana

Eighth Grade
West Noble Middle
 School
Nichelle’s home is served electrically by Noble REMC

Nichelle Phares quoted President John F. Kennedy in her YPH application, “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.”

It’s not surprising she would quote the president who created the Peace Corps which showed “community service” goes far beyond our borders.

Nichelle is in her fifth year as a volunteer for the LDfA (Little Dresses for Africa), a Christian charitable organization, that collects pillowcases which are then made into clothing for vulnerable children in Africa and elsewhere. Nichelle has collected and sent over 500 pillowcases. Because of her efforts, she was invited to attend the organization’s first conference where she met its founder, Rachel O’Neill.

“Someday, I hope to be able to travel abroad and serve around the world, she said.”

Nichelle also participates in 4-H, school sports and activities and many other charitable programs in her community, and assists with Upward, a Christian youth basketball program.

“I believe … everyone should get involved and always lend a hand to those in need or those less fortunate,” she noted.

Skylar Maul, Wanatah, Indiana

Eighth Grade
Wanatah School
Skylar’s home is served electrically by Kankakee Valley REMC

Skylar Maul has already left lasting footprints when it comes to stepping out for community service — literally.

With her Girl Scout troop, she made mile markers on a path used by walkers, runners and bicyclists in St. John. “This was a big project,” she noted. “We had to go to the town board to have our idea and plans approved, get the path surveyed so we knew exactly where each marker would go. We bought stones, painted our feet, stepped on the stones and wrote the distance.”

This is just one in a myriad of ways Skylar contributes to her community as a scout, 4-H member and on her own. Other activities have included volunteering at church and nursing homes. She’s grown her hair long, and had 8 inches cut off for Locks of Love.

“As a Girl Scout, she embodies the ‘Discover, Connect, and Take Action’ keys and has grown into a young, emerging leader within our troop and within her community,” wrote her troop leader Michelle Jackowski.

“Community service is giving back in small steps that can add up to one big step to make the world a better place,” she said.