The finalists for this year’s Martha Beckenholdt Youth Philanthropy Award have been announced. They include: Arielle Poynter, New Palestine High School; Aidan Davis, Greenfield-Central High School; Dawson Wagner, Mt. Vernon High School; Claire Bishop, Greenfield-Central High School. The teens gathered at the Hancock County Community Foundation next to a portrait of the philanthropy award’s namesake.
Submitted Photo
HANCOCK COUNTY — Four local teens are competing for a cash award, but the money won’t be going toward college classes or dorm necessities.
The community-minded teens are all finalists for this year’s Martha Beckenholdt Youth Philanthropy Award, named for a longtime Hancock County resident and philanthropist who was known for putting community before self.
The annual award recognizes a Hancock County high school junior who has contributed outstanding time, talent and energy to philanthropic endeavors.
Each year, applicants select a Hancock County nonprofit organization or agency to receive a $1,000 grant in his or her name, donated by the Hancock County Community Foundation.
This year’s finalists include Claire Bishop, Aidan Davis, Arielle Poynter and Dawson Wagner.
Claire and Aidan attend Greenfield-Central High School, Arielle attends New Palestine High School, and Dawson attends Mt. Vernon High School.
Although they’re all just 17, each of them have given countless hours of their time serving local nonprofits and charities in the community.
Each of the teens say that philanthropy is a major part of their lives.
“Philanthropy is important because it is what fosters current communities and builds future generations,” said Claire, the daughter of James and Nicole Bishop. “Everyone wins in the process; communities gain support, and individuals gain life skills. It’s a win-win, and it’s also fun,” she said.
Mary Gibble, president of the Hancock County Community Foundation, said the young finalists for this particular award are always an impressive bunch, given their personal focus on giving back.
This year’s group is particularly impressive, she said, for continuing those philanthropic pursuits throughout a pandemic.
“They had all found ways to serve even though the past two years of their lives had been interrupted, which is quite commendable,” said Gibble.
As part of the application process, applicants are asked to designate which local charity or nonprofit they’d wish to give the $1,000 cash award.
Most typically choose an organization which they themselves have served.
Such was the case for Dawson, the son of Caleb and Brandy Wagner, who selected the Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen in Greenfield.
“I started volunteering there when my grandma told me I should start thinking about volunteering and recommended the soup kitchen to me,” said the Greenfield teen.
“After spending more than 100 hours there for the past four years, the soup kitchen has become a sort of second family to me,” he said.
Aidan, the son of Craig and Stacey Davis, chose Trinity Park United Methodist Church.
“This is the church I’ve been going to for all of my years living in Greenfield. My parents got married there, as well as my aunt and uncle,” he said.
Claire chose the Hancock County Children’s Choir, of which she’s been a member since she was 8 years old.
“Over those years, it’s become a family activity for me and my family. At one point, all four of my siblings and myself were involved in the choir, and my mom served as the production manager,” she said. “It’s a big thing for us, and it’s really cool that I am able to give back a sliver of all they’ve given me.”
Arielle selected Hope Center Indy as her recipient, even though she can’t volunteer there until she turns 18.
“I really value what they do for victims of human trafficking and other women looking for security from domestic violence. The donation would have been used to operate their many businesses, which provide funds for necessary items for the women they support,” she said.
Arielle said she’s thankful that philanthropy has become a part of her young life and is something she plans to continue as an adult.
“Philanthropy has helped me grow as a person and develop a love for aiding my community,” she said. “It’s led me to base my life around the morals I discover with every hour I volunteer.”
Dawson said volunteering has taught him the importance of contributing to his community from an early age.
“Whether or not it is clear, many people are struggling behind closed doors. Helping people who need it the most fills me with a sense of fulfillment and pride,” he said.
Claire said learning to give back has made her the person she is today.
“I have been able to pour back into my community by using my gifts and directing my passions, but through this I have developed skills in communication, leadership, time management and much more,” she said.
“I have found that my favorite hobby or pastime is volunteering at different organizations around Hancock County. I have made so many strong relationships, and have learned that in the very act of giving, I have received more than I will ever possibly give.”
The finalists for this year’s Martha Beckenholdt Youth Philanthropy Award were blindly selected by members of Y-G.I.V.E. — Youth-Giving, Investing, Volunteering, and Engaging — a group with four representatives from each Hancock County high school assembled by the community foundation to promote local youth philanthropy.
The Y-G.I.V.E. panel interviewed the finalists earlier this month to learn more about each of their philanthropic pursuits before selecting a winner.
That winner will be announced at 4:30 p.m. April 1 at Park Chapel Christian Church in Greenfield.
To learn more about the Beckenholdt award, scholarships and other opportunities offered by the community foundation, visit givehcgrowhc.org/education.
