DAYTON, OHIO, April 11, 2008 - Your Better Business Bureau, in partnership with the BBB Education Foundation, announces the winners of its Students of Integrity, sponsored by McAfee Heating and Air Conditioning Company, Inc. This is the sixth year your BBB has recognized five Miami Valley high school juniors and seniors who exemplify high moral character. The award includes a $1,000 college scholarship. The Students of Integrity will be honored Tuesday, May 13 at the Better Business Bureau’s Eclipse Integrity Awards at the Schuster Performing Arts Center.
The 2008 Students of Integrity recipients:
Lane Hart
Lewisburg, OH
Tri-County North High School
Lane Hart demonstrates a high level of integrity in all areas of his life and can be trusted to perform well in all his endeavors. He gives 110 percent to any task, organization or activity. This National Honor Society student leader earned All-Conference Academic Awards on the Cross Country and Track and Field Teams and served as the Cross Country Team senior captain. He even took the initiative to create and maintain Web sites for both teams. Lane’s also taken leadership roles in Student Council, the high school newspaper, Foreign Language Club, Junior Leadership Dayton and Preble County Cowboys 4-H Club. This outstanding young man is an active community volunteer, coordinating and organizing a Veterans’ Day Program and participating in the Ohio Reads Volunteer Tutoring Program, as well as, volunteering with CARTeens (teen driver safety program), Church of the Visitation and Greene County Family Violence Prevention Center. Lane was honored with the La Sertoma 48th Annual Youth Service Award and Presidential Volunteer Service Award from President George W. Bush for over 122 hours of community service. This excellent role model for others has even started his own business, Lane Hart Consulting, providing IT consulting services, support and Web site design for local and national clients. Your Better Business Bureau is proud to honor Lane Hart as a Student of Integrity winner.
Lilian Hartzell
Oakwood, OH
Oakwood High School
Lilian Hartzell is relentless in the pursuit of excellence. Her hard work, leadership and compassion earn her respect from others. Lilian’s a leader within her senior class as a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society, as well as a participant in Oakwood Giving, Spanish Club, Student Council, Women’s Issues and the Oakwood High School Credit Union. She received the rare honor of being chosen twice by the Oakwood High School faculty as its Outstanding Citizen. Athletically, Lilian’s on top of her game on the volleyball court, in the swimming pool and in track and field. In fact, on the Varsity Volleyball Team, she’s earned a Sportsmanship Award, All-League, All-District Honors and MVP Awards. She’s very giving of her time and energy, volunteering at Camp Silver Lake (a camp for children with mental handicaps), the Clubhouse (an afterschool program for underprivileged children) and House of Bread. She also provides support to senior citizens by volunteering at Sunrise Assisted Living, assisting with a Senior Citizen Prom and painting and landscaping for two elderly women. Lilian also participated in SIGNS Youth Group, Junior Leadership Dayton, Buckeye Girls State and the Summer Lead America Conference. In addition, she’s recieved the Oakwood Peace Prize. Lilian believes she needs to lead by example, making her an exceptional Student of Integrity.
Elizabeth Heitkamp
Versailles, OH
Versailles High School
Elizabeth Heitkamp has made her mark through academics, leadership and service. She invokes trust and confidence to those she works with. This Valedictorian is a member of the National Honor Society, serves as her class secretary, participates in Spanish Club, Future Teachers of America, SADD Student Advisor Committee and College Club. Elizabeth is an active member of 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA), earning many honors and holding a variety of offices. She’s received a variety of FFA chapter, county, district, state and national recognition, as well as, received the 4-H Senior Award twice. Elizabeth is involved in many church, community and vounteer activities. She volunteers at a local nursing home, food pantries, Toys for Tots, blood drives and homeless shelters. She’s also participated in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and Volley for a Cure and attended the Steubenville Youth Conference. This talented young woman performs with her school’s Encore/Show Choir, participates in Drama Club productions and was in a family variety show at a local festival. She’s also participated in several pageants, including 2007 Miss Chick, Darke County Fair Queen and Bradford Pumpkin Show. In addition to working on the family farm, Elizabeth’s employed at WTGR as the farm news broadcaster and studio engineer. This dedicated and conscientious young woman is an exemplary Better Business Bureau Student of Integrity.
Krishna Vellanki
Springfield, OH
Springfield North High School
Krishna Vellanki is academically gifted, has an excellent work ethic, is self-disciplined and motivated. He demonstrates honesty, integrity and honor in all areas of his life. Krishna serves in many school leadership roles, such as Varsity Academic Team captain, Hi-Q Team captain, student government officer, Varsity Tennis Team captain, French Club officer and Computer Club co-founder and president. He’s also a member of the National Honor Society, Varsity Chess Club and Latin Club. As a gifted pianist, he’s participated in many music competitions. He’s also a Tae Kwon Do Second Gup and won the Bronze Medal in the Arnold Classic International Martial Arts Tournament Padded Weapons Competition. Krishna’s list of honors and awards is long. He’s a National Merit finalist and has been awarded AP Scholar with Distinction, Springfield Community Award of Excellence and multiple Math Team, Outstanding Student and science awards, including state honors. He’s volunteered nearly 250 hours at Mercy Medical Center and Villa of Springfield, earning him two community service awards. Pursuing a career in medicine, he’s currently doing research on pituitary and pancreatic tumors with Dr. David Mason and shadowing several physicians. He’s also been a Wright Scholar Research Assistant at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. With his ambition, dedication, respect and intelligence, Krishna strives to experience and accomplish as much as he can. Your Better Business Bureau is pleased to honor him as a Student of Integrity.
Bristen Wells
New Carlisle, OH
Tecumseh High School
Bristen Wells has a great work ethic and is driven to do the best she can. She holds herself to a standard everyone should strive for. She’s an outstanding scholar, taking many advanced courses and maintaining her 4.0+ grade point average. Her efforts earned her a spot in the National Honor Society. Bristen serves as president of both 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA). Through 4-H, she’s won numerous Grand Champions at the county fair wih her horses. Last summer, she went on to win Reserve Grand Champion at the Ohio State Fair. She’s also a 4-H Gold Star member, Clark County Horse Judging team captain, Hippology team member and Horse Bowl team member. Bristen’s also received many FFA honors, including Star Greenhand, Exemplary Leadership and Exemplary Scholastic Achievement. She’s competed in FFA public speaking competitions, making it to district competitions. In addition, she’s captain of her FFA Horse Judging team. She’s won many competitions with her horses and hogs at the local and state level. Bristen’s been a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a student worker for two teachers at her school. In addition, she works on a local farm picking vegetables, running the market and working the cash register, which has taught her the value of initiative and efficiency. Bristen’s passion for helping others led her to volunteer as a tutor at the Donnelsville Parent Center. She’s also a Clark County Horse Camp counselor. Your Better Business Bureau is proud to have Bristen Wells as a Student of Integrity.
Out of the over 80 local high schools receiving the Student of Integrity application, about 25 nominated students for this award. A panel of six independent judges selected these five outstanding students.
Your Better Business Bureau believes identifying and honoring young people for high moral character is vital to its mission of promoting ethics in the marketplace. Like the Eclipse Integrity Awards, the Students of Integrity highlight outstanding ethics. In bringing young adults to the forefront, your BBB is closing the loop on what it takes to be a successful and contributing community leader whether business, nonprofit or individual.
John North, BBB President and CEO, says, "These Students of Integrity are inspiring. As our future leaders, their drive to succeed and be the best they can be point to a bright future for all of us. Your Better Business Bureau is honored to acknowledge them for their efforts. We applaud them."
Your Better Business Bureau is a private, nonprofit association that has been promoting integrity in the marketplace for more than 80 years. It services the Miami Valley, including Montgomery, Greene, Clark, Darke, Miami, Preble, Shelby and northern Warren counties. Your BBB Education Foundation’s mission is to deliver programs and initiatives that communicate how to identify and support, trust, ethics and integrity in business.
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