Prairie Lincoln student Kelsi Born gets involved in community work and likes horses.
Her involvement in the community is one reason she was chosen to receive the 2008 Citizenship Award that is presented annually by The Lincoln Lodge, a senior retirement community.
As part of the award, Kelsi, who will be a fifth grader this coming academic year, will get to go to camp for a week this summer in Logan County.
The award was presented by Jamie Mueller who has developed the senior community from a former hotel, and also serves as a member of the Westland Area Commission. Kelsi and her mother Melissa Born were introduced to WAC members at the June 18 meeting.
“The Lincoln Lodge is making the award in an effort to promote civic pride within the neighborhood,” Mueller said. “As a senior community, we understand the importance of raising kids the right way. Many of the residents of The Lincoln Lodge have raised their families in this immediate neighborhood. They know the importance of reinforcing good behavior and how that reflects in our community in the form of civic pride.”
Criteria for selection include honesty, respect, responsibility, compassion, self-discipline, perseverance and giving.
“The residents of the Lincoln Lodge want to encourage students to continue to learn about these virtues and apply them to their lives,” Mueller said.
Mueller said Kelsi became inspired by last year’s winner, William Peterson, and became active in school activities.
“She helped me campaign for Prairie Township trustee last fall and I personally witnessed many of those traits of character as we went door-to-door campaigning with my horse,” said Mueller, who was unsuccessful in his bid for the township office.
Kelsi will be able to spend a week at the Marmon Valley Farms in Logan County that offers camping programs throughout the summer in week-long sessions.
“The folks at the Lodge feel that we shape our future by the way we raise our children,” Mueller said. “And summer camp is a great opportunity to reinforce values and memories that last a life time.”
Mueller also said that last year’s winner enjoyed his week at the camp so much that he is planning to attend again this year.
Also at the meeting, Mike McKay was re-elected as chairman and Mueller as treasurer of the group. Bill Steimer was voted in as vice chairman and Doug Moshier as the recording officer.
JoEllen Locke, parks and recreation committee chair, told the group that there will be a public meeting at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. July 1 where city officials want to hear from residents about what improvements they want from the bond package that will be on the November ballot. WAC supports a proposal for establishing a community recreation center in the area and Locke has asked residents of the Westland Area to address city officials on the need for the center.
The 17-member group meets the third Wednesday evening of the month at Doctors West Hospital. People who live, work, or own property in the area bounded by the Conrail tracks on the north, I-270 on the east, Big Run South on the south and Hellbranch Creek on the west are welcome to attend these meetings.
