West, Ludwig top Self-Reliance winners

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert County young people were again the focus as the 44th annual R.K. Thompson Self-Reliance Awards were handed out Tuesday evening at Vantage Career Center.

Although each of the 10 finalists – five girls and five boys – is a high achiever, Dalton West, son of Thomas and Joy West, and Jordan Ludwig, daughter of Kim and Jeff Ludwig, were the overall winners of this year’s Self-Reliance Awards. Each of the finalists receives $500, while the overall winners receive an additional $500 for a total of $1,000.

David Thompson, son of R.K. “Roger” Thompson Jr., who created the prestigious awards program to honor his father, R.K. Thompson Sr., back in 1971, announced the top awards, while Eunice Thompson, wife of Roger Thompson, handed out checks to the top winners.

David Thompson thanked Van Wert Service Club for its work in organizing the Self-Reliance Award program and choosing the winners, while also thanking area schools, the media and those who attend each year for making the event successful.

Other finalists included Rachel Gordon, daughter of Scott Gordon and the late Betsey Gordon; Holly Hammond, daughter of Joel and Julie Hammond; Chelsi Siefker, daughter of Rodney and Paula Stout; Rebecca Welker, daughter of Jeff and Roberta Welker; Randall Burnett, son of Rick and Kim Burnett; Lucas Gibson, son of Berry and Angie Gibson; Adam Jurczyk, son of Tim and Michelle Jurczyk; and Adam Long, son of Stephen and Donna Long.

“I am very shocked that I won it,” Ludwig said following the banquet. “It was very tough competition, but I’m honored to have this opportunity to win this award.”

West added that he felt he didn’t deserve to win after listening to some of the challenges the other finalists had to overcome. “Hearing everybody’s stories inspired me tonight,” he said. “It (hearing the other stories) was breathtaking; it almost brought tears to my eyes … it hit me deep emotionally.”

All of the finalists work, in addition to attending school and being involved in community activities. Several also have significant challenges to overcome, with Adam Long excelling in school despite suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome, a type of autism, while others were the product of one-parent families, due to death or divorce, with added responsibilities to care for siblings.

Both of the winning finalists are very involved in school and community activities. Ludwig is senior class president at Lincolnview High School, is vice president of the National Honor Society, Beta Club secretary and is a member of the school soccer and cheerleading squads. She plans to attend Wright State University in the fall to study for a nursing degree.

West, also a senior at Lincolnview, is a member of the Beta Club, Scholastic Bowl team, Art Club and marching band and also participates in track and field. He plans to attend Rhodes State University to earn an associate’s degree, prior to seeking a doctorate in pediatric medicine at the University of Toledo School of Medicine.

Both students work, Ludwig is employed at Sycamore Ice Cream and also teaches dance at Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks, while West works at the Van Wert Family YMCA.

This year’s speaker, Robin Elston of Elston Consulting LLC, used excerpts from each of the finalists’ biographies to highlight six things she said are needed to be successful in life. To be successful, Elston said people need to:

1. Accept life
2. Plan
3. Work hard
4. Overcome obstacles
5. Adjust to life as it happens
6. Live in, and enjoy, the moment.

Breanna Sudduth, co-chair of this year’s award committee, provided final remarks for the banquet, while the Rev. Matt Braun gave the invocation and benediction for the event.