The Clinton County Community Champions (C4) Awards began in 2020 to honor service and leadership during the pandemic. The event began as a virtual ceremony and has since expanded to be held at the Murphy Theatre. This year, there were 119 nominations for 75 individuals in 7 categories. The winners are chosen based on their commitment to community through a special project or ongoing activities, unselfish leadership and service to others, and an inspiration to others. They are selected by a panel of judges from the Board of the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Elle Martin [NOT PICTURED]
Nominated for: Youth
Nominated by: Anonymous
Elle’s nominator(s) stated:
Elle is an exceptional leader at Wilmington High School. She has been a member of the WHS student council for four years. She contributed many hours to helping make homecoming a successful event. She leads by example in all that she does. She is involved in many other ways. She has played basketball for four years. Throughout the day you can find Elle always helping others. She is a part of our ‘peers helping peers’ program, providing support for students in the classroom. She also is an office aide and assists our secretaries with many projects. She greets others with a smile and helps students as they enter the office. She has a huge heart and a wonderful spirit. She shows her Cane pride every day!
Kale Mongold, Laurel Oaks Career Campus
Nominated for: Youth
Nominated by: Kelly Keeton, Great Oaks Career Campus
Kale’s nominator(s) stated:
“Kale Mongold is [a student] in the Career X Program at Laurel Oaks [and] trains at various job sites and tours businesses in Southern Ohio. Kale is an employee who demonstrates integrity in all circumstances. He consistently acts in a moral and ethical manner regardless of the situation. He strives to keep all promises and commitments. He insists on honesty and transparency in all dealings. He takes responsibility for his individual actions. He works together with camaraderie, respect, accountability, and unity. He participates in others' lives - the struggles, joys, sorrows, and goals. It is refreshing to find a young man that connects his work to a great cause and purpose by caring for others. Kale's integrity pushes me to be a better teacher and has improved my job coaching by caring deeper and being better with integrity. Kale is a role model to staff and students and earns excellence in the workplace for Integrity. It is rare to find this characteristic in the workplace.”
Lilly Thirey, Wilmington Christian Academy
Nominated for: Youth
Nominated by: Anonymous
Lilly’s nominator(s) stated:
“…Lilly has one of the most upstanding characters that I have ever encountered in a student. She volunteers as an aid in one of our first grade classrooms; this is an assignment she gave to herself, out of a deep desire in her heart to help others. These students look up to Lilly so much, she is such a role model to them. She volunteers to help with every school project possible, and is the first to contribute to community service projects, and she has done numerous pieces of art work for our school to auction as fundraisers. She consistently brainstorms ideas that benefit others, and implements them, sometimes working alone, to be a blessing, including things such as handing out encouraging notes to our entire student body. She has the highest integrity of any student I have ever taught. She has never had a late or missing assignment, she comes to school with a positive attitude every day, and she is tirelessly devoted to everyone that she loves. She is an asset to every class that she is in, and a joy to be around, every day. She is one of the strongest leaders and the greatest role models I have ever had the joy of teaching.”
Zachary Snyder
Nominated for: Youth
Nominated by: Andrew Conarroe, Clinton County Resource Center
Zachary’s nominator(s) stated:
“Zachary Snyder is currently a sophomore at Blanchester High School [and shows] extreme commitment to self improvement, as well as commitment to his family and community…Zack was the first student in our high-demand program, Making the Mark, which is a school enrichment program. He helped create an action plan for success and has followed it, showing he can set goals for himself and meet them…Although Zack may not fully realize his impact on others, he serves as role model at the Resource Center. He is extremely helpful when there are tasks to complete and is always willing to help the younger kids. He is skilled at observing others who may need a little help and offers assistance without being obtrusive - never calling attention to himself…Zack is open to trying new things and his involvement is key to encouraging others to try as well. He stepped out of his comfort zone and began Mixed Martial Arts a year ago… He is now a yellow belt and will hopefully be advancing again soon. He even leads warm-up for the whole class! He is an inspiration to our other students. Zack loves his family as well. His mom, grandma, and brother are very important to him as he talks about them frequently…It has been gratifying to witness Zack’s progress in becoming a reliable, helpful, well-rounded individual. We are proud that Zack continues to strive for improvement, maintaining his interest and commitment in several areas…”