Honor Student Luncheon connects students, community leaders

Wabash County, IN – On Thursday, April 10, Grow Wabash County hosted its annual Honor Student Luncheon, connecting members of the community and the top academic students in Wabash County’s Class of 2025.

Neil Bever, owner of Hoosier Chiropractic, was the emcee for the event. He shared a story about his grandfather, who was also born and raised in Wabash County, that reinforced to the students the incredible value and opportunity presented to them by being able to pursue an education.

After lunch and conversation between students and professional mentors, representatives from the event’s Industry Sponsors, were invited onstage for a panel discussion and Q&A session where the speakers fielded questions from Bever and the students in the audience.

This year’s panel of speakers featured: Wayne Robison from Intertech Products; Matthew Purkey from Josiah White’s; and Jarrod McKee from The Investment Center at Crossroads Bank.

During the Q&A panel, the speakers offered insights that they had learned throughout their careers so far including the need to be willing to learn and fail sometimes and the importance of having good coaches and mentors to guide you through the various seasons of your personal and professional lives.

They also reflected on their reasons for choosing to live and work in Wabash County. They emphasized the importance of family and community bonds that come easier in small towns over large cities. They also noted that there is value to be had in the change of pace that a community like Wabash County offers in contrast to large bustling metropolitan areas.

In closing, Bever wished all of the students well as they prepare to graduate later this spring and encouraged them to keep in mind that when they are also faced with the decision of where they want to lay down roots, whether they be personal or professional, Wabash County will always welcome them home.

Grow Wabash County would like to thank all of the sponsors who made this event an impactful one for our students and local business community.

Industry Sponsors: Crossroads Bank; Intertech Products; Josiah White’s

Academic Sponsor: NIPSCO

Table Sponsors: Beacon Credit Union; City of Wabash; Ford Meter Box Company; Manchester University; POET

Student Sponsors: Baker Insurance; Benson & Son, LLC; Bippus State Bank; Community Foundation of Wabash County; Douglas C. Lehman, P.C.; Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Amy Sullivan; Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Troy Baer; Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Tyler Olson; Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Wayne Denger; Emily Guenin-Hodson; Gaunt & Son Asphalt; Halderman Real Estate & Farm Management; HF Group; J&K’s Mega Pet!; Kimberly’s Business By Design; Metal Source; Mindy Mayes; Modoc’s Market; MSD of Wabash County; NCI SHRM; Pettit Printing; Shepherd's Chevrolet GMC of Wabash; Terri Eckert School of Dance; Town of North Manchester; Wabash Carnegie Public Library; Wabash Castings, LLC; Wabash County United Fund