Special to The Sentinel
The Chamber of Commerce BASIC Committee is honored to introduce the OMEGA award winners for 2009. OMEGA stands for Outstanding McPherson Eighth Grade Award. This award began in 2005, when several McPherson County representatives organized a committee to bring focus back to the original tradition of the McPherson County All Schools Day event that started in 1914, which was to honor eighth-grade graduates. The students being honored by the chamber BASIC committee have demonstrated strength in the areas of leadership, service, courage or compassion in their community.
The honorees will be publically recognized on Thursday, May 7, during the May Fete activities at McPherson High School.
The following are this year’s OMEGA honorees:
•Sarah Becker, a student at Canton-Galva Middle School, has demonstrated her willingness to help her friends when they are in need. She is a loyal, compassionate friend and a great role model for younger students. She also volunteers in the nursery at her church. Her ready smile and high energy level are valued by all of those around her.
•Sarah Krehbiel, nominated by the Inman Junior High Faculty for this years’ Omega Award, has overcome personal challenges while exhibiting an outstanding work ethic. Sarah has volunteered at the Inman Pleasantview Nursing Home during the summer months, and is also active in her church youth group, VBS and helping with the MCC auction in Hutchinson.
•Jenna Hubele is from the Lindsborg community. She provides a calm, confident help to anyone who asks, and her compassion and courage set a wonderful example for others. Her quiet empathy shines through in all she does. Jenna is also involved in Stucco, 4-H and church, and is always willing to go the extra mile.
•Tara Gladding, of Marquette, has served as President of Stucco, serves on the site council and is a teacher’s aide. This year she helped start a successful recycling program at her school. She always seems to be giving of herself and is generous, helpful and genuinely concerned about the welfare of others.
•Tim Ambrose, a student from McPherson Middle School, has had to put up with some major adversities, yet keeps a bright outlook on life and has retained his positive, friendly nature throughout it all. What a courageous young man.
•Adam Boyer, from McPherson, is the one you will see helping others. He is compassionate and friendly and exhibits all the characteristics you wish to find in a positive leader. Adam sees the humor in life and in himself. He is one of those rare, quiet leaders in this day and age who make the people around him stronger.
•Kayla Faust, from McPherson, has a bubbly personality that brings her friends up when they are down. Even when she is busy, she takes time to connect with her peers. Her contentment, and confidence with who she is, is a wonderful quality to have.
•Samantha Goodell lives in McPherson and is kind, considerate and athletic. She is highly involved with her family, school and church, and is a terrific role model for her peers and younger children. She has a quiet, unassuming way of not having to draw attention to herself. Samantha treats her friends with respect and is truthful and supportive of them.
•Cheyenne Regier, from McPherson, is a leader whom other students look up to. She is always ready to help and is also very sensitive to the needs of others. Cheyenne is on the summer swim team and active in her church. She is poised, well mannered and very unassuming.
•Meredith Hess, of McPherson, is deserving of this recognition for generously using her personal character, values and skills to serve others in a compassionate and respectful way. Meredith is also part of the McPherson Middle School Natural Helpers, a student group which serves as role models in the area of compassionate and supportive relationships and service to others.
McPherson County —
