Two Cove teens named as 2016 Central Texas Incredible Kids

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

 

Kaylyn Kirkpatrick, a senior at Copperas Cove High School and Jason McGuire, 11/12th grade at Crossroads High School are two students named among the 12 Central Texas Incredible Kids for 2016.

 

They, along with the other young people across Central Texas, were chosen from nominations received from local school districts and organizations as well as individuals.

 

Kirkpatrick and McGuire will be honored at the seventeenth annual Central Texas Incredible Kids Celebration, on April 27. The celebration will focus on the positive impact youth exhibit in their everyday lives.

 

The class of 2016 president, Kirkpatrick has been class president all four years of high school and so far during her high school years, has completed an accumulated 1,600 hours of community service.

 

According to her nomination narrative, her school service hours include food drives, peer to peer welcoming team called LINC Crew, Salvation Army bell ringing, four years of fluffing/laying of the wreaths at the Veterans Cemetery, clothing drives, Rachel’s Challenge (anti-bullying), and many other projects designed to make CCHS a better place to be, and recognized for contributing to the community.

 

McGuire is being honored for the impact he has been making on not only his campus, but in the community despite the tough challenges he faces in his home life.

 

When Crossroads formed its inaugural student council last year, Jason became part of that council and was instrumental in the creation of Formal Wednesdays where students wear dresses or coats and ties to not only help them prepare for job interviews but to improve morale and confidence in the student body. Jason spearheads this program this year.

 

Additionally, McGuire faces challenges on the home front in helping out with the family business. His mother, Michele McGuire, owns Michele’s Floral and Gifts and was placed on full disability in January. Every day after school, McGuire works at the shop and on weekends.

 

In giving back to the community, McGuire helps out at Cove House Emergency Homeless Shelter and has worked on a project with Head Start students and the Copperas Cove Fire Department. He invited the fire department to visit the toddlers and show off their fire trucks, ambulances and other emergency equipment in an effort to show the children that firefighters as well as the police are their friends.

 

The other 2016 Central Texas Incredible Kids include: Carmel Ankrom, 5th grade, Scott Elementary, Temple; Sarah Ash, 11th grade, Freedom School Homeschool, Belton; Kylee Deason, 6th grade, Jonesboro Elementary, Jonesboro; Dacen DePoy, 12th grade, Salado High School, Salado; Serena Harris, 12th grade, Gatesville High School; Emma Johnson, Lake Belton Middle School, Belton; Cristella Mendez, 11th grade, Ellison High School, Killeen; Christien Quiles, 12th grade, Harker Heights High School, Harker Heights; Jarrett Roberts, 12th grade, Temple High School, Temple; and Victor Wiggs, 2nd grade, Sparta Elementary, Belton.

 

Also at the April 27 celebration, Inez Faison will be recognized as one of those receiving the “Outstanding Achievement for Youth Award.” Faison serves as vicepresident of the CCISD board of trustees and is a board member on the Copperas Cove Housing Authority. In addition, Faison is also the director of the Copperas Cove Crusaders AAU youth basketball program.

 

Others receiving the Outstanding Achievement for Youth award are Randy Pittenger, a service-oriented leader who is passionate about youth and has been member of the Belton ISD Board of Trustees since 1996 and President from 2002 to the present; Steve Wright, a well-known business and civic leader, a member of the Temple ISD Board of Trustees serving as President since 2007, and a caring Wildcat Mentor for Temple ISD 5th graders; the Food Care Center in Killeen, a faith-based nonprofit organization whose mission is “to stand in the gap” by providing food, clothing, and household items to clients; and the Moment in Time Capital Campaign Committee which recently raised $8 million to build and furnish the new Ralph Wilson Youth Club in Temple. 

 

The Central Texas Youth Coalition is a collaboration of the Belton Christian Youth Center, Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Texas, CenTex Chargers Homeschool Sports Association, and Ralph Wilson Youth Club.

 

Reservations for the celebration may be made through Friday, April 22, online at www.incrediblekidscelebration.com, by mailing name, address, and phone number plus cost for the event to Incredible Kids Celebration, 304 West Avenue B, Killeen, Texas 76541, or by calling 254-699-5808, ext.102. Tickets are $25 per person.