Honoring Outstanding Youth

We know there are awesome students and adults doing incredible things in our community. Our Hall of Fame honors them through a number of awards at an annual celebration.

2021 Hall of Fame Awards

Outstanding Alumni: Krista Decker and Blake Palmer
Outstanding Volunteers: Susan Wilkie & Brett Niemeier
Robert “Scooter” Tiemann Servant Leader Award: Meredith Hagerty and Michael Keith
Nancy Sieben Koehler Scholarship winners: AnaBella Stegmaier and Seth Hansen
Outstanding Seniors: Eilidh MacLeod and Sam Syroney
Excellence in Leadership Award: Becca Samuel and Samuel McGuire
Youth of the Year: Reagan Koester

All proceeds benefit Youth Resources’ Make A Difference Grants.

If you would like to support the Hall of Fame as a sponsor, please contact jessica@youth-resources.org for more information.

Meet Reagan Koester, YR’s
2021 Youth of the Year Winner

16-year old North Posey High School junior Reagan Koester is no stranger to overcoming obstacles and persevering. During the height of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she quickly discovered ways to utilize the internet and other resources to continue helping and educating others during this time about the pandemic’s effects on the farming industry.

“With the hoarding of milk by consumers and the interruption of the supply chain, some local dairy farmers were actually dumping milk with no place to deliver it to for processing. Being raised on a dairy farm, this was heart wrenching for Reagan,” said teacher and 4-H leader, Julie Gries, who nominated Reagan for Youth of the Month.

During this time, the local Purdue Extension office contacted Reagan to develop a video to use at the newly developed 4th Grade Virtual Ag Days. Reagan quickly jumped at the opportunity to educate others and provide a fun way for students stuck at home to learn about dairy by-products. She wrote a skit with her sister, Lindsey, that educated fourth graders about the benefits of adding dairy to their diet, and created a virtual farm tour where they could learn more about a robotic dairy farm.

Reagan’s positive attitude is undeniable, and it’s easy to see why she was once voted “Most Likely to Brighten Your Day” by her classmates.

“My family has taught me that having unexpected setbacks are just a part of life. However, it is how you react to these challenges that will make a difference,” Reagan said. “I spent a lot of hours as a child working on my soccer skills and running, and dreamed of playing varsity sports my freshman year. With sports taken away from me due to an injury, and later the pandemic, I have learned that an activity or hobby is not my identity. Without a doubt, I am a better person from these setbacks, as it allows me to focus on being grateful for what I do have and strive to bring joy to others.”

Reagan is a member of Saint Wendel All Star Clovers, where she has served as Treasurer, Reporter and Health & Safety Coordinator. She is a student representative for Purdue Extension Advisory Committee, a member of Junior Leaders and is active in the youth group at Saint Wendel Catholic Church. Through a collaboration with the Purdue University College of Agriculture, she created a science fair project that helped middle school aged students realize their natural aptitude for a career in agriculture, which placed first in the nation in National FFA Agricscience. After graduation, Reagan hopes to attend Purdue University to study Agriculture Business and continue on to law school.