BEDFORD– Approximately 300 people gathered at the First Baptist Church recently to celebrate the remarkable achievements of local young people at the Bedford Lions Club annual Youth Appreciation Program. This year’s event recognized an impressive group of students, ranging from middle school to high school, nominated by various community organizations for their exceptional character and contributions.
Each honored youth was introduced by a representative from their nominating organization, who highlighted their individual accomplishments. These accolades spanned a wide range of admirable qualities, including high moral character, unselfishness, awareness of the feelings and needs of others, a willingness to volunteer, strong leadership skills, serving as positive role models, and being exemplary citizens who bring pride to the community both now and in the future.
The diverse group of nominating organizations included schools, church youth groups, 4-H clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the Boys & Girls Club, underscoring Bedford’s widespread commitment to nurturing positive youth development.
The families of the honored students were also recognized and warmly applauded for their crucial role in raising these outstanding individuals.
The following students were celebrated during the program, listed with their parents, nominating organization, and the presenting representative:
- Oliver Brown (Kim and Klent Brown) – Between the Crowd (Nick Mullis)
- Gabriel Dixon (Sarah and Nathan Lowry and Josh Dixon) – Between the Crowd (Nick Mullis)
- Elie Montgomery (Tonya and Nathaneal Montgomery) – Lawrence County 4-H (Lesley Lodmell)
- Lane Shelton (Kassi and Brad Shelton) – Lawrence County 4-H (Lesley Lodmell)
- Harryson Hayes (Brooke and Erick Hayes) – Lawrence County 4-H (Lesley Lodmell)
- Kaych Kwakye (Michael Kwakye) – First United Methodist Church (Judi Early)
- Richard Bell (Kristen Bell) – First United Methodist Church (Judi Early)
- Madison Thompson (Monica Thompson Young) – First United Methodist Church (Judi Early)
- Sienna Fritch (Samantha and Mathew Fritch) – Springville Community Academy (Ashlie Kimmel)
- Mayzie Galloway (Jennifer and Ashley Galloway) – Springville Community Academy (Ashlie Kimmel)
- Claire Coulter (Jessica and Cory Coulter) – Springville Community Academy (Ashlie Kimmel)
- Calvin Trezona (Chanel Wessel and Ryan Trezona) – Springville Community Academy (Ashlie Kimmel)
- Fami Strunk (Stacey Strunk and Carl Fergeson) – Springville Community Academy (Ashlie Kimmel)
- Olivia Spoonmore (Emily and Justin Spoonmore) – Springville Community Academy (Ashlie Kimmel)
- Lennon Blevins (Jennifer and Chase Blevins) – Girl Scout Troop #3220 (Jeff Quyle)
- Brooke Barr (Anne West and KC Barr) – Boy Scout Troop #332 (Anita Moore and Sarah Freese)
- Reese Ritter (Sharon and Chad Ritter) – Boy Scout Troop #332 (Anita Moore and Sarah Freese)
- Jared McAdams (Joe McAdams) – Dive Christian Church (Matt Courtney)
- Anna Sowders (Jean Sowders) – Dive Christian Church (Matt Courtney)
- Javin Thorp (Candice Thorp) – Dive Christian Church (Matt Courtney)
- Jenny Lopez (Rebecca and Nathanael Kelly) – Avoca Baptist Church (Deb McCray)
- Kenley Inman (Charity and Kip Inman) – Lawrence County Independent Schools (Samantha Cornett Couch)
- Maria Rees (Maria and Arthur Rees) – Lawrence County Independent Schools (Samantha Cornett Couch)
- Braeliin Pierce (Taylor Watson and Brandon Pierce) – Lawrence County Independent Schools (Samantha Cornett Couch)
- Ava Patton (Jessica and Jacob Patton) – JC Christian Academy (Chris Perry)
- Ayden Webster (Tiana Roach and Brent Webster) – JC Christian Academy (Chris Perry)
- Lazarus Kagemann (Jennifer and Derek Kagemann) – First Christian Church (Will Brown)
- Audrey Bunch (Jessica and Michael Bellush) – First Christian Church (Will Brown)
- Sarah Holbrook (Amy and Jim Holbrook) – First Christian Church (Will Brown)
- Gabe Dixon (Sara and Nathan Lowery) – First Christian Church (Will Brown)
- Tyler Bellush (Jessica and Michael Bellush) – First Christian Church (Will Brown)
- James Jett (Christie and Jack Maxwell) – First Christian Church (Will Brown)
- Tucker Inman (Jennifer and Justin Inman) – Mundell Christian Church (Coen McFarland and Ryan Wright)
- Carmen Smith (Crystal and Dickie Staggs) – Mundell Christian Church (Coen McFarland and Ryan Wright)
- Foster Johnson (Becky and Chris Johnson) – Bedford Middle School (Emily Carter)
- Temperance Thompson (Tessa Gratzer and Ryan Thompson) – Bedford Middle School (Emily Carter)
- Hailee Hall (Deidra Davis) – Mitchell Junior High School (Marian Brazzell)
- Aiden Lee (Katelyn and Daniel Lee) – Mitchell Junior High School (Marian Brazzell)
- Parker Seidle (Natalie and Brad Seidle) – Mitchell Junior High School (Marian Brazzell)
- Alaina Fish (Shelly and Matt Fish) – St Vincent de Paul School (Holly Thatcher)
- Elijah Wagner (Kasie and Aaren Wagner) – St Vincent de Paul School (Holly Thatcher)
- Lana Bishop (Melissa and Luke Wilkerson) – Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence County (Genna West)
- Havannah Chase (Jordan and Shane Wilder) – Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence County (Genna West)
- Sophie Patton (Shannon Patton) – First Baptist Church (Jason Filler)
- Mackenzie Daley (Melony and John Paulus) – Valley Mission Church of the Nazarene (John Paulus)
- Ellie Shipley (Lindsay and Kip Shipley) – Valley Mission Church of the Nazarene (John Paulus)
- Camryn Kurtz (Tiffani and Chris Kurtz) – Mt Pleasant Christian Church (Mark Hudelson)
- Roman Lewis (Kathryn and Jordan Lewis) – Mt Pleasant Christian Church (Mark Hudelson)
- Emma Voris (Amy and Joe Voris) – Free Methodist Church (Caleb Whiteman)
- Jaxson Osterhage (Brittany and Michael Osterhage) – Free Methodist Church (Caleb Whiteman)
- Josh Thompson (Stephenie and Derrick Thompson) – Cornerstone Worship Center (Matt Olsen)
- Jarrett Gore (Amanda and Steven Gore) – Cornerstone Worship Center (Matt Olsen)
- Sydney Bush (Mica and David Bush) – Cornerstone Worship Center (Matt Olsen)
- Kelsey Gore (Amanda and Steven Gore) – Cornerstone Worship Center (Matt Olsen)
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Bedford Lions Club’s Youth Appreciation Program, a testament to their long-standing commitment to recognizing and encouraging young talent in the community. Over the past three decades, the program has honored an impressive 730 local youths.
Lion Bob Bottorff, president of the Bedford Lions Club, presented each honoree with a certificate acknowledging them as “An Outstanding Youth Who Has Unselfishly Given Time and Talent for the Betterment of Our Community,” along with complimentary tickets to the upcoming Pancake Festival.
The Lions Club views the Youth Appreciation Project as a vital way to shine a light on the positive contributions of young people in Bedford, noting that these dedicated individuals often go without public recognition for their outstanding deeds.
Throughout the evening, photos were taken of each presentation, and a group photo captured the honorees’ collective spirit. These photos are available for viewing on the Bedford Lions Club Facebook page.
The program concluded with a heartfelt group “Thank You” led by Lions program chair Barb Morris. Attendees then enjoyed a selection of delicious desserts provided by the Lions Club. This event perfectly embodies the Lions Club’s enduring motto: “We Serve.”
