North Posey student recipient of youth spirit award

Jillian Nicole Koester, a student at North Posey High School, has been selected as the recipient of the Elizabeth D. Baier Youth Spirit Award for 2011.
The Award, in the amount of $500, is given annually to a high school junior who resides in Posey County and who is involved in community activities in Posey County.
The Elizabeth D. Baier Youth Spirit Award was created in September 2007 in honor of Elizabeth D. Baier’s 25th Anniversary as Executive Director of the United Way of Posey County.  
Jillian is the daughter of David and Melissa Koester of Wadesville, and is involved in many school, church, and community activities, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, 4-H, Banking for the Cure, and Knights of St. John.
She is a leader in her church’s bible school program and helps at the community church social.
She is a member and co-captain of her school’s cross country team. Jillian believes that her participation in her school’s PEERS program is especially fulfilling.
Through the PEERS program, she and other high school students talk to junior high school students about drugs, alcohol and sex.  She said, “As a volunteer for this program, I provide support to teens to help them understand the impact their decisions have on themselves and others.”
The Elizabeth D. Baier Youth Spirit Award will be presented to Jillian at the United Way of Posey County Leadership Giving Recognition Dinner on August 30. For more information regarding the Award or the United Way’s Leadership Giving Program, please call 838-3637 or e-mail uwposey@sbcglobal.net.

Jillian Koester, left, is presented the Elizabeth D. Baier Youth Spirit Award by Michelle Hudson, chairperson of the award selection committee.