The Luminaries program was created by commissioners in 2018 to celebrate people making a difference in their community.
Hannan began cheerleading in second grade and never looked back. She cheered for four years at Shawnee High School under football advisory Marlo Mitch and basketball advisory Cynthia Barnes, lightening up the faces of the fans in the stands.
She recently graduated from Shawnee and is continuing her education in the job program at the Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center.
“I was so blown away by the Shawnee cheerleaders - and especially Kylie Hannan - when I attended a football game last year,” Commission President Melanie Flax Wilt said. “I witnessed a genuine team spirit and friendship among all these young ladies that developed out of an inclusive environment in which every individual could not only participate, but thrive.”
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stafford, a Springfield resident and Springfield News-Sun columnist called on the community to donate stimulus checks to local non-profits.
The effort resulted in the creation of the 1200 club, which has raised more than $130,000 in donations for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Clark, Champaign and Logan Counties.
He plans to continue another push for donations if stimulus checks are provided to residents in the coming weeks.
“Stafford’s selflessness act created a movement and helped a lot of people in need,” Commissioner Rick Lohnes.
The Sharps have been key cogs in Western Clark County for decades. Both serve on the New Carlisle Heritage of Flight Festival organizing committee - Debbie Sharp serves as Treasurer, while Chuck Sharp works on logistics and setup.
Debbie also serves as the state secretary for the Fraternal Order of Eagles, which provides grants to organizations across the state. Chuck volunteers several days per week at the Bethel United Churches food pantry and also mows the grass during the summer at the Haddix Field baseball diamonds.
“Chuck and Debbie Sharp play a key role in our community,” Commissioner Lowell McGlothin said. “They believe in helping others and it shows in the works they do every single day.”
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