Lt. Governor Crouch Announces Brilliant Firefly, Presents First Award to West Lafayette Class

(WEST LAFAYETTE) – Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch today announced the creation of the new Brilliant Firefly award to honor young Hoosiers for outstanding achievement and extraordinary community involvement. Following the announcement, the inaugural award was then presented to eleven West Lafayette Community School Corporation students who were instrumental in naming the Say’s Firefly as the state insect.

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch

“The Brilliant Firefly award now gives the state a way to honor young Hoosiers for their achievements,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch. “What better way to kick off this award, than to present representatives from four of West Lafayette’s classes with the first designation in recognition of their thoughtful and tenacious civic engagement to name our state insect. I look forward to recognizing many more young Hoosiers who are lighting Indiana’s future with the Brilliant Firefly award.” 

 Mayor John Dennis, City of West Lafayette

“We are grateful that the Lt. Governor, Suzanne Crouch, has taken time out of her busy schedule to honor these outstanding West Lafayette students and their teacher, Maggie Samudio, who have worked tirelessly on this initiative,” said Mayor John Dennis, City of West Lafayette. “Our community continues to step up by supporting Turtles, Fireflies, parks, and trails. We, as a city, are proud of our citizens, especially our younger ones.”

Dr. Killion, Superintendent of West Lafayette Community School Corporation

“On behalf of the students, staff, administration and Board of School Trustees, I would like to thank Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch for her recognition of our school district’s students,” said Dr. Killion, Superintendent of West Lafayette Community School Corporation. “I am very proud of the work and perseverance that my elementary students and teachers exhibited during this process. To me, this definitely shows that West Lafayette Community School Corporation teachers, staff and administrators are providing our students with a well-rounded education that includes community involvement and engagement.”

Going forward, each member of the Indiana General Assembly has the opportunity to nominate young Hoosiers in their district who have demonstrated outstanding community service, exemplary academic achievement and/or exceptional leadership in their communities with the Lt. Governor’s Brilliant Firefly award. 

To learn more visit www.in.gov/lg/firefly.htm.

Brilliant Firefly honorees include:

  • Kayla Xu
  • Ethan Clampitt-Morales
  • Keve St. Hilaire
  • Emma Williams
  • Caitrin Duffy
  • Virginia Zhao
  • Richard Dowery
  • Yashi Varma
  • Oshin Lindsay
  • Jessica Xie
  • Mert Yavuz

. “What better way to kick off this award, than to present representatives from four of West Lafayette’s classes with the first designation in recognition of their thoughtful and tenacious civic engagement to name our state insect. I look forward to recognizing many more young Hoosiers who are lighting Indiana’s future with the Brilliant Firefly award.” 

“We are grateful that the Lt. Governor, Suzanne Crouch, has taken time out of her busy schedule to honor these outstanding West Lafayette students and their teacher, Maggie Samudio, who have worked tirelessly on this initiative,” said Mayor John Dennis, City of West Lafayette. “Our community continues to step up by supporting Turtles, Fireflies, parks and trails. We, as a city, are proud of our citizens, especially our younger ones.”

“On behalf of the students, staff, administration and Board of School Trustees, I would like to thank Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch for her recognition of our school district’s students,” said Dr. Killion, Superintendent of West Lafayette Community School Corporation. “I am very proud of the work and perseverance that my elementary students and teachers exhibited during this process. To me, this definitely shows that West Lafayette Community School Corporation teachers, staff and administrators are providing our students with a well-rounded education that includes community involvement and engagement.”

Going forward, each member of the Indiana General Assembly has the opportunity to nominate young Hoosiers in their district who have demonstrated outstanding community service, exemplary academic achievement and/or exceptional leadership in their communities with the Lt. Governor’s Brilliant Firefly award. 

To learn more visit www.in.gov/lg/firefly.htm.

Brilliant Firefly honorees include:

  • Kayla Xu
  • Ethan Clampitt-Morales
  • Keve St. Hilaire
  • Emma Williams
  • Caitrin Duffy
  • Virginia Zhao
  • Richard Dowery
  • Yashi Varma
  • Oshin Lindsay
  • Jessica Xie
  • Mert Yavuz