Congratulations to Olivia Herwerden on receiving the Future Leader Award at the 56th Annual Berea Chamber of Commerce Grindstone Award Banquet! Olivia is a junior in our Criminal Justice program. She’s active in school and extra-curricular activities, she’s an amazing community volunteer and she’s doing GREAT things in her Polaris program. Below is the nomination that was submitted on her behalf:
Olivia is currently a Junior at Berea-Midpark High School where she has participated in various activities including Speech & Debate, track & tennis. In addition to Honors and AP classes on her plate at the High School, Olivia takes classes at Cuyahoga Community College through the College Credit Plus Program where she can earn high school credit hours as well as future college credit. 2024 is also Olivia’s first year in the Criminal Justice Program at Polaris Career Center where she is excited to learn about the various career paths available to pursue within the criminal justice system. After high school, Olivia plans to attend Bowling Green State University and major in Criminal Justice.
When Olivia isn’t focusing on her education, you can probably find her working at Biggby Coffee in Brook Park, attending youth group at her church, playing video games, horseback riding, or volunteering to serve others. Olivia has been very involved with the local chamber's "Stuff the Bus" campaign for the past 3 years, which helps collect school supplies and backpacks for the local school district. Each year, she recruited a few friends and neighbors to volunteer as the cheerleading squad by cheering and holding signs on the day of the event - which is always on the hottest day in August! She also volunteers multiple times a month in her church's children's ministry where she helps teach Sunday School classes and has gone on several short-term missions trips with her youth group to both Canton and Kentucky. Olivia had a very busy summer working, and she spent 2 full weeks volunteering with her church's Vacation Bible School. Olivia is always one of the first people to step up to volunteer- as her teachers and youth leaders know- all you need to do is ask! Olivia’s nominator writes, “Olivia’s love, positive energy, and grace for others is one to be admired.”
This is an AMAZING honor! Keep up the great work, Olivia! You’ve got a BRIGHT future ahead!