When the Fishers Youth Assistance Program presented the first “Breakfast of Champions” event Wednesday morning, the staff & volunteers had everything attendees needed – breakfast, programs and information on Youth Assistance.  One item badly needed at each table was facial tissue.  As the stories were told, tears were in the eyes of many assembled guests.

This program deals with young people attending Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) schools in need of some sort of assistance.  The needs are many.  Some students are part of a family struggling, often through no fault of their own.  It could be as a result of an illness in the family or the student.  It could be due to an accident.

Whatever the reason may be, the Fishers Youth Assistance Program is there, steering the student and family toward resources to help in a time of need.

The Wednesday morning breakfast was an opportunity to tell the stories of Hamilton Southeastern students overcoming the odds and finding ways to deal with adversity.

With Fox59 TV news Anchor Aishah Hasnie as the emcee, the stories were told, one-by-one, with students nominated by HSE Schools’ faculty members.   HSE Schools Superintendent Allen Bourff assisted in handing out the recognition plaques.

Here is a list of the students recognized:

Rylan Guy, 1st Grade, Geist Elementary

Justin Bennett, 4th Grade, Sand Creek Elementary

Angel Toxqui-Tlatoa, 4th Grade, Harrison Parkway Elementary

Nadelyn Baron, 5th Grade, Riverside Intermediate

Christopher Rodriguez, 6th Grade, Riverside Intermediate

Delaney Davis, 8th Grade, Riverside Junior High

Aislynn Ball, 10th Grade, Fishers High School

Brook Casebolt, 2017 Graduate, Fishers High School

Adam Darroca, 12th Grade, HSE High School

Lizamaurine Fortoza, 12th Grade, Fishers High School

Reid Stephens, 12th Grade, Fishers High School

Bill Jerrow, President of the Fishers Youth Assistance Board, said 575 referrals for help have been handled by the program since its formation in 2014, meaning over 200 families are asking for help each year.

Fishers Deputy Mayor Leah McGrath urged more corporations to step forward and support the Youth Assistance program.  “It takes all of us, we’re all in this together,” McGrath told the breakfast crowd.

This is the first of what Fishers Youth Assistance Program hopes will become an annual event.   

If you are interested in volunteering or donating money to the Fishers Youth Assistance Program, you will find more information at this link.