The Milan Lion's Club has been blessed to honor three Milan High School students over the past three years. Because of their (the three youths') tireless and selfless efforts to better the Milan community, the Milan Lion's Club has invited MHS graduates: Trenton Langferman ('24 graduate); Ava Honnert ('24 graduate); and Ariel Haessig (MHS '23 graduate) to serve as Grand Marshalls for the Milan Lion's Club's July 4, 2024 parade.

Trenton Langferman, a 2024 graduate, is attending Purdue to pursue a doctorate in pharmacy. Unfortunately, due to prior family commitments, Langferman will not be able to participate in the Milan Lion's Club's 2024 Fourth of July Parade.

Ava Honnert, another 2024 MHS graduate, is available to parade. Honnert and Langferman were recruited to RYO (Ripley Youth Outreach) three years ago by then-RYO President Ariel Haessig, a 2023 MHS graduate.

Honnert describes her involvement: “I was a sophomore in college, and Ariel (a year older than me) and I were friends. Many of the RYO participants were older and had already graduated.” Amy Streator of the RCCF (Ripley Co. Community Foundation) asked Haessig if she knew anyone who would like to join, and Haessig reached out to Honnert and Langferman – who immediately agreed.

RYO helps Ripley County youth get involved in a project from the beginning and oversee it, and plan its completion and maintenance. RYO teams (selected high school students from participating Ripley County high schools) must raise $10,000 in one – ONE – month. Each team raises $10,000, which is matched by a grant from RCCF.

Haessig, Honnert and Langferman identified needs at Daren Baker Veterans Memorial Park: general updates, new murals (2), memorial flagpole, Wi-Fi (supported by SEI Data), picnic tables, trash cans, landscaping and new paint on buildings.

To accomplish the $10,000 (fundraising) goal, the RYO teams (10-15 students – met once or twice a week in their individual groups of two to three students) relied on the fundraising leadership of Amy Streator and RCCF. The Milan Lion's Club was one of their first presentations. They (the Milan Lion's Club) donated generously to get the fundraiser off to a good start.

Haessig and Honnert both emphasize that much of the success was due to guidance on where to apply for grants, where to give presentations to solicit donations, and generally how to demonstrate need, implement plans, and demonstrate the costs associated with implementation and maintenance.

During that month, several RYO student groups worked on specific projects throughout the Ripley County area. Streator assigned Langferman, Honnert and Haessig to Milan Park because of their proximity and familiarity. Their “hometown connection” gave them even more motivation. During the 30-day period, they gave 12 presentations.

All of them said that although they were initially scared to speak publicly – in front of strangers – the more they did it, the easier it became. Plus, they are all excited about the need and the project. They were speaking in front of their community and friends, so they all appreciated and enjoyed the experience.

The matching grant (up to $10,000) is called “My Community My Grant” and the trio from Milan far exceeded their goal. These three hardworking and far-sighted young people raised just under $25,000 – with the RCCF-MCMG matching of $10,000, that’s almost $35,000.

Haessig and Honnert spoke of their careful planning with park management to accommodate native pollinators and eliminate invasive species. All three expressed their appreciation for being able to be involved in a project of this magnitude and with such longevity. A portion of the funds they raise will go toward upkeep and maintenance.

Honnert will stick around and spend the first two years of her undergraduate years at Ivy Tech. She graduated with a 4.1 GPA, earned academic honors, was inducted into the National Honor Society, and even received a “Hoxworth Cord” as a recognition for her blood donations during high school.

Haessig just finished her first year at Butler University. She is majoring in health sciences with a physician assistant degree and a minor in athletic coaching. She isn't stopping there just because she's away from college for the summer. Haessig is a lifeguard at Batesville Memorial Pool and assists with training for the Milan Aquatics Swim Team.

Haessig, Honnert and Langferman all express a similar “hometown theme.” Honnert says, “These projects are our wishes and desires for our own city. We all grew up here – our whole lives. …The improvement of our city through all these years of work and investment has been great.”

When asked, “What do you love most about this project?” Haessig replied, “I grew up here my whole life and I know we can fix it and improve it so the next generation can experience it too.”