Photo: Kelly Goad

“We raised money for her bone marrow transplant…we exceed[ed] our goals, however, in the end, she lost her battle to leukemia and died shortly after. It was very rewarding to see everyone work together for a great cause,” recalled Kelly.

Kelly Goad defines leadership as “the willingness to step forward and guide others and taking the initiative to go above and beyond to get things accomplished.” Kelly fits the description of a “community leader” in every aspect. She finds enjoyment and satisfaction with being involved and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Her leadership skills have carried on through the years by being involved in Relay for Life, Women’s Business Council (Chamber of Commerce), Conventions and Visitors Bureau (Tourism Council), Rotary Club of Kokomo, sponsor for Interact Club at Northwestern High School, and the IU Kokomo Alumni Association Board, to just name a few. Her leadership opportunities have helped her become successful in her career as Foundation Director at Howard Regional Hospital.

Kelly is most passionate about being a sponsor for the Interact Club for Northwestern High School. She helps lead a group of high school students in raising money for non-profit organizations in Kokomo. In 2010, they organized a “Fill the Truck” event during a football game. They got two trucks donated from Button Dodge and McGonigals and asked people to bring donations of paper products, diapers, and canned food items for when they attended the game. All donations from that particular event benefited the Kokomo Rescue Mission. To help put things into perspective, Kelly, as their leader, wanted the students to realize “why” they were doing particular event and collecting donations. She gave all students statistics of the homeless and poor in the Kokomo area.

“Most of the students had no idea that their hometown had that amount of homeless or poor people. It helped open their eyes and was a great learning experience for them,” Kelly said.

Kelly also offered advice for anyone wanting to get involved in the community and become a leader.

“Be open to opportunities. You never know what is around the corner,” Kelly said. “You can always learn from being involved. Learning never stops, and if it does, you know you need a change. Also remember to always step up and step out. You will have your ups and downs, but by being involved, you will find your greatest rewards. As a leader, always look for the positive, even if the situation might be difficult”.

Kelly is a great leader and continues to serve our community through her involvement. A particular quote by Edward Everett Hale is one of her favorites and will forever stand by her as she leads the community. It reads, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”

Story by Jessica Hewitt, Guest Writer

A model community leader found in Kelly Goad is a post from: The Correspondent

Steve is a youth pastor at Mt. Olive United Methodist Church in Marion, Indiana. He has been the youth pastor since 2005 and has guided many youth on their journey through their teen years. Today, Steve is leading youths and teens into the community by doing volunteer work in the neighboring towns and organizations. He also mentors youth to help lead them down the correct path.

“Working with the church really got me involved with the community,” Steve said. “When I work with other students and adults, I do my best to share what I’ve learned and lead by example, hoping that they’ll want to be leaders as well.”

Steve builds people up, not only in the church, but for life by leading them to do the right things and make correct choices.

“You must realize that your community, not only the world, needs help. There are starving children, homeless families, and sick elderly all over the world, including right in your county.” Steve said.

A mission trip in 2006 to the country of Honduras opened Steve’s eyes to how much need was really out there and that many people are less fortunate. He went on this trip through the church with a group of people, and that is what really connected him to the community and becoming a leader in it.

“Being a leader also can construct a person. It can change their outlook on life or their outlook on humanity,” he added.

Helping others in the community has made Steve less selfish, as well as broadened his focus. Many people care about the immediate issues in life, such as taking care of ourselves, our family, or work, or school, and we often forget those who have little or no family. Steve says that his eyes now have been open to people’s situations and how being a leader affects them. Just by showing compassion while you are there helping them can change an attitude.

A leader can be anything to anyone. A leader can be the United States president, a mayor, a pastor, a teacher, or the little kid who leads the kids to get milk at school. A leader just leads, no matter if they lead teens to make the right choices like Steve does, or they lead the entire free world. A leader is a position of honor and integrity; there are natural born leaders and others who lead by example. A leader can mean many things, and Steve is simply one who helps others and leads by example, hoping to change the way people act.

Story by Matt O’Banion, Guest Writer

Pastor Steve Schaal provides guidance for youth is a post from: The Correspondent

She is a wife and a mother of three and owns Abbott Funeral Home with her husband, Carl. Although she has a busy life with her family, she always makes sure that everyone else has what they need. Owning and operating a funeral home keeps a family constantly going.

Leah wanted to be sure that I understood she did not consider herself a leader. “I don’t do things in hopes for something good in return, I just do things because…it is the right thing to do,” she explained.

She does not do anything for praise and glory, which is why so many people in the community do think of her as a leader. She just does what needs to be done without thinking twice.

“I know so many families that are struggling and I want to do what I can to help out,” was Leah’s reasoning for why she helped create “Buddy Bags,” a program that provides meals for children and their families in need on weekends and during extended breaks from school.

“If you make things fun, you never get tired. Do what you love and you will prosper,” Leah positively commented about her work with the Buddy Bags program.

She takes care of people, whether it is friends and family, people she has never had the opportunity to meet, or even families that come in for funeral services. It takes a big heart to give so much of your time to others and that is something Leah has.

Leah is a registered nurse, but she spends much of her time volunteering at the local elementary school. “I have to write out my schedule for the week every Sunday night so I know where I need to be,” said Leah. With a giggle, she continued, “Actually, I write out two of them.”

You can find her helping out at the Delphi United Methodist Church frequently, making numerous trips to her business, visiting her parents, and squeezing in time for her friends—if you are lucky, you just might run into her. When asked what keeps her going, she responded with an honest smile and this: “I just do what feels right.”

Story by Alyssa Clawson, Guest Writer

Leah Abbott: leader and mentor is a post from: The Correspondent

Professor Pico serves as the international liaison and honorary board member of Fundacion Cartagena Global, a humanitarian group based out of Cartagena, Colombia, whose main priority is to help children become better citizens.

“Children are the future, so it is important for them to know how to be a good citizen,” said Pico. The organization participates in several programs that help out thousands of Colombian children.

Three times a year, Professor Pico takes a group of students to visit Colombia, and he explains that only 30% of their time is spent on sightseeing, while the other 70% is spent on helping out the children of Cartagena. The environment these children live in, Pico explains, is appalling. There is no running water or working sewage system. Often times, they will go a day or two without having a good meal, and a lot of these children are starving.

This is where Professor Pico’s work begins.

“Education is the most important thing for them to become better citizens,” Pico said. “However, with poor nutrition, the chance of them being successful isn’t very promising.”

So what Pico and his organization have done is given these children the opportunity to have a good meal. One of Pico’s proudest accomplishments is that he helped to build a new cafeteria for the students. He provided them tables to eat on so they did not have to eat on the ground. He has also have arranged contacts with child protective services to ensure that the children are provided with a good meal on a regular basis.

Pico and the organization also focus heavily on the children’s education. They recently renovated a nice school for them to attend. Professor Pico also helps teaches classes to them, including teaching English. They also cleared out a lot that was full of trash and made it into a playground for the children.

“Many children from outside communities come to enjoy this playground,” Pico explained. “Also, by providing clothes and food to children, we relieve many of the stresses that their parents feel.”

When asked what makes a good leader, Professor Pico explained that it takes courage, strength, and respect for others. When asked, he explains that what makes him a good leader is that he loves people and respects them enough to want the very best for them.

“A lot of politicians don’t know how to respect people, but you have to show people respect in order for them to understand you and be willing to dedicate their time to help you,” said Pico.  

When he first traveled to Africa and saw the poor living conditions, he explains that it made him very humble and thankful for what he has. It was in that moment that he realized that he wanted to make sure that helpless people had a strong leader that they could turn to. That is exactly what Professor Pico has become— a great leader who has helped save the lives of hundreds of children.

Story by Brittney King, Guest Writer

IU Kokomo Professor J.R. Pico sets the leadership standard is a post from: The Correspondent

Robertson grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, and started playing basketball at the Carver Community Center. He then went on to play for the Tri-Central Trojans, starting as a varsity player for three years.

“Playing basketball in high school was great. I accomplished a lot and had great people around me,” said Robertson.

As his collegiate career grew near, Robertson had a difficult decision to make. He looked at other colleges, but was lead to IU Kokomo.

“The basketball program is new, and it’s an opportunity for us to create something,” Robertson said. “I’m glad I am able to be close to home and do what I love.”

The team had a challenge on their hands in the beginning. They are young and had never played together before. Robertson said the toughest aspect was learning how each person played,  and then creating a team bond. However, the Cougars overcame obstacles due to the leadership of their coach, Jace Thompson.

“Coach Thompson has taught us more than just basketball,” said Robertson. “He’s taught us life lessons and really pushes us past our limits. He deserves all the credit.”

Robertson also mentioned he wouldn’t be anywhere without the support of his teammates. “Jonathan Kelly, Brandon Larrick, Jared Lawrence, and Aaron Knupp are awesome players and add a lot to the team,” he said. “Aaron’s determination is admirable – it’s like nothing fazes him, and it makes me work even harder.”

Robertson hopes that the basketball program only excels from here by gaining popularity throughout the community and creating more opportunities for players like him. Having the support of IU Kokomo’s students, faculty, and staff really means a lot to Robertson and the team, and it definitely boosts their confidence.

The next home game will be played on December 1^st against the Goshen College Maple Leafs at Western High School, at 7 p.m. Robertson encourages everyone to come out and watch the Cougars show off their months of hard work.

“Basketball is so fun and always brings me a new challenge. I’m so grateful to be a part of this team and this program,” he added.

Follow the Cougars on Twitter at @IUKBasketball.

Story by Mary Olk, Editor-in-Chief

Player Profile: Jake Robertson is a post from: The Correspondent