The Elizabeth D. Baier Youth Spirit Award
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. Michelle Hudson, Past-President of the United Way of Posey County and a member of the selection committee, said,” The United Way of Posey County wanted to recognize Elizabeth for her service to the United Way, but we also wanted to honor her for her many years of leadership, community involvement, and volunteer services to Posey County. An award recognizing exemplary volunteerism by young people had been a dream of Elizabeth’s for many years, so the creation of the Youth Spirit Award in her name seemed to be the perfect way to honor her.”
RECIPIENT OF THE ELIZABETH D. BAIER YOUTH SPIRIT AWARD ANNOUNCED
Rylee Schmuck, a member of the Class of 2024 at Mount Vernon Senior High School, has been selected as recipient of the Elizabeth D. Baier Youth Spirit Award for 2023. The Award, in the amount of $500, is given annually to an incoming high school senior who is a resident of 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. Michelle Hudson, Past-President of the United Way of Posey County and a prior member of the Award recipient selection committee, said,” The United Way of Posey County wanted to recognize Elizabeth for her service to the United Way, but we also wanted to honor her for her many years of leadership, community involvement, and volunteer services to Posey County. An award recognizing exemplary volunteerism by young people had been a dream of Elizabeth’s for many years, so the creation of the Youth Spirit Award in her name seemed to be the perfect way to honor her.”
Rylee is the daughter of Brian and Heather Schmuck and is involved in many school and community activities. For several years she has been actively involved in Civil Air Patrol (an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force) and holds leadership positions including as a cadet training officer. She initiated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Career Day at the high school, initiated and developed a STEM-focused elective class in the Mount Vernon Junior High School, and extended STEM integration in elementary school through STEM Camp. She developed a Drug Demand Reduction program to expose younger students to the dangers of drug usage. She is involved in Key Club, Student Council, and National Honor Society and served as big sister to a young girl through Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Riley expects to pursue post-secondary education at Indiana University in Bloomington in the area of biology and biochemistry.