LWC alum and 4th grade teacher Michelle Ball proudly stands by a chart maintained by her students as part of the "Paper Clips Can Make a Difference" program.

Just over 18 years ago, Michelle Ball decided a career change was in order.   A business major in college, she pursued a second career in education, receiving her teaching degree.   Currently a 4^th grade teacher at Pierceton Elementary School in Pierceton, the Leadership Whitley County alum couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.   Several years ago, Michelle was encouraged by friend and LWC alum Mick Long to apply for the seventh class of Leadership Whitley County.  

“Mick really recommended the program and I thought highly of him,” said Michelle, speaking from her colorful classroom full of learning opportunities.   The challenge for her was to balance a day out of the classroom each month in order to attend the regular LWC sessions.  The Whitko School Corporation agreed to provide support in the form of a substitute for her classroom so Michelle could participate in the program.  

Michelle became an integral part of LWC’s seventh year, consistently providing valuable input and serving as an active part of the class structure.  She and her husband Pat even took full advantage of the pirate theme at the class celebration and dressed as sea-faring folks.   The real value of Michelle’s participation in Leadership Whitley County came after her graduation, when she was able to apply her learned servant leadership skills in the classroom with her students and at faculty trainings with fellow staff members.

Shortly after the LWC graduation, Michelle was given the opportunity to present a topic at her school staff retreat.   Michelle remembers at the time they had a new principal and she wasn’t sure how the focus of personal mission would be received.    She dedicated herself to the task, assembling notebooks for each staff member, challenging them to “find their treasure at Pierceton Elementary School.”   The feedback from her presentation was very positive, and she has utilized concepts learned from her time in the LWC program at subsequent staff meetings.

 In addition to sharing her servant leader skills with staff, Michelle stresses these experiences with her students as well.

“I so try to instill in students “it’s not about you” kind of thinking,” she said.  “It’s important to me to show them that.”

Michelle noted her biggest take-away from the LWC program was the whole servant leadership concept, especially the personal mission session.

 “I really believe I have done things now that are because of that…reaching goals, being more focused, being purposeful,” she said.   Michelle added the program influenced her decision to pursue a Lilly grant in the spring of 2010, which she received.  The $9,000 grant allowed her to spend the summer traveling overseas for seven weeks following the life of Anne Frank.  A very powerful experience for the elementary teacher, she now makes presentations to groups about her trip.  She also incorporates her journey in to classroom curriculum.

“The main way is through a 6-week after school enrichment program for 4^th and 5^th graders,” said Michelle.   She also pointed out a successful classroom project entitled “Paper Clips Can Make a Difference.”  Inspired by a display at Huntington North High School, Michelle challenges her students to collect paper clips in honor of the victims of Auschwitz.   They partnered with students at Huntington North and have even garnered paper clips from celebrities.   As of last spring, 15,688 paper clips had been collected.  Students are tasked with all aspects of the project, including contacts for donations and accurate record keeping.

The 2008 Leadership Whitley County alum isn’t slowing down in reaching her goals.   Michelle recently applied for her license to teach high ability students, noting her pursuit of this goal go back to her personal mission.

“Leadership Whitley County is definitely a program that can rejuvenate and light a spark within you.  I was inspired by what other people in our group did such as Terry Eberly and Judy (Bell) Mundy.  I was motivated.”

The 11^th class of Leadership Whitley County kicks off on September 13, 2011.  For more information on Leadership Whitley County, visit their website at www.leadershipwc.org, become a fan on Facebook, or contact Kelley Sheiss, Program Director, at 799-4045 or info@leadershipwc.org.

LWC Alum and Micropulse employee Carrie Ebersole is pictured with a variety of quality medical devices produced by the Whitley County based company and long time supporter of LWC

When Carrie Ebersole graduated from the seventh class of Leadership Whitley County in 2008, she selected B.A.B.E. as her board internship assignment hoping to learn more about the program that serves the youngest members of our community.   Ebersole’s internship quickly turned into the role of board member, and today she serves as the Vice-Chair of a program that successfully promotes healthy families.  As the Lead Expeditor at Micropulse, Ebersole was anxious to apply for the LWC program after hearing the positive experiences from her fellow co-workers who had participated.

“The thing I took away most from the program was understanding people’s personalities,” said Ebersole.  “LWC definitely helps with supervisory skills.  It opened a shell.”   Ebersole added the skills she acquired during the program have helped her be a productive B.A.B.E. board member and serve as an integral part of helping the program grow.  “LWC made me look for an organization to be a part of and find what volunteer opportunities are a good fit.”

Ebersole added she had no specific expectations coming into the program, so it was a pleasant surprise when the learning experience offered her to make new acquaintances and broaden her connections with people in the community.   She’s also been able to discuss program experiences with other coworkers who have participated in LWC.

A mother of three kids ages 7 -12, Carrie has been with Micropulse for 18 years since starting as an ICE student at Columbia City High School.   It’s a family affair with the Whitley County based business as her husband Jeff is also employed with the company.   Ebersole’s passion for service is evident as she talks about her experiences with B.A.B.E.    

“It’s been exciting to be a part of something where the strength of everyone is involved,” she said.  “There are motivated people wanting to make a difference in the community and children are our future.   Leadership Whitley County makes you ask “What do I want to do?” and without the program I would never have been connected to B.A.B.E.”

Applications are now being accepted for the tenth class of Leadership Whitley County.  Tuition to the monthly program that runs September –April is $600 and includes all expenses.  For more information, go to www.leadershipwc.org or contact LWC Program Director Kelley Sheiss at 799-4045 or 3dsheiss@gmail.com.                              ###

Shortly after graduating from Class 7 of LWC in 2008, Terry Eberly made the decision to leave the “corporate” world and embark on the dream of starting his own business. Today, Eberly Photography is a thriving business adding to the economic development of downtown South Whitley. In addition to his entrepreneurial initiative, Eberly also chose to run for a seat on the Whitko School Board of Trustees.

 “LWC gets people excited about making our community a better place. The other dynamic is what you take away from it years later. Having gone through LWC, it created a spark in me to get involved and pursue a school board position.”

Eberly noted certain skills garnered from his LWC experience, including personality types and personal mission, were very powerful and continue to be useful on a regular basis. He added the interaction with other areas of discipline and a diverse group of individuals as a peer group all learning together on how to be a serve agent for the community combined to offer a very positive experience. Upon graduation, Eberly said the monthly networking gatherings of alumni helped him connect to others, including Star Financial Bank’s David Smith. Eberly would later interact with Smith as he started his photography business in a downtown South Whitley location owned by the financial institution. Eberly also met 2009 graduate Jorell Tucker when he talked with the class about school board roles and responsibilities. Now, Eberly and Tucker will serve together on the school board, making them the first two graduates of the program to successfully run for school board positions. Eberly complimented LWC for its ability to create awareness of community interconnections and offer valuable networking tools for participants.

“The networking opportunity was a good return on investment for me,” he said. “My participation in LWC may have an impact in ways I never realize. It’s important to be a giver and give back to the community. Some can’t give as much, but everybody gives what they can.”

Since his graduation, Terry Eberly continues to make a difference in the Whitley County community, both as a servant leader for education and as a business owner in South Whitley. Eberly Photography is located on State Street and specializes in portraits, senior pictures, weddings, video and commercial photography.

LWC alum and South Whitley business owner Terry Eberly is surrounded by captivating senior portraits in his downtown studio.

“Leadership Whitley County helps you step back and investigate yourself. It’s great to see the vision as a community, and it also helps you as an individual,” said Eberly.