Twin Lakes senior is finalist in state-wide leadership program

Finalist accepts award EMBARQ Public Affairs Manager Jim Wagner presents Twin Lakes senior Michelle Burke with her award for being one of 13 finalists in EMBARQ's "Indiana Leaders of Tomorrow" program. Photo by Doug Howard, Herald-Journal

Twin Lakes senior Michelle Burke was recently named as one of 13 finalists in the 2008 "Indiana Leaders of Tomorrow" program. Sponsored by EMBARQ, her awards included $500 cash for college and $500 for her school.

Burke was selected from among nine students in grades 9- 12 in the local EMBARQ service area who were nominated for their academic excellence, strong leadership skills and volunteer work.

"Community service has always been a big passion of mine because I want to help others who have helped me," said Burke. "To find out that I've been chosen for this is just unimaginable - I couldn't believe it."

Burke is an active volunteer, working through her 4-H Club and Junior Leaders on community service projects in Carroll County including playing bingo with Carroll Manor residents, collecting food items for the White County Food Pantry, and participating and volunteering in the White County Relay For Life.

She is a member of the National Honor Society and has been active at the Monticello Union Township Public Library, shelving books and tutoring children.

The daughter of Tim and Julie Burke, rural Monticello, Burke holds a 11.96 GPA and is third in her class of 188 at TLHS. She plans to attend either Butler University or the University of Indianapolis in the fall.

"EMBARQ congratulates Michelle and all those who have been nominated in this program," said Jim Wagner, EMBARQ public affairs manager. "We are proud to partner with the Carroll County Comet and Herald-Journal to recognize area youth for the leadership roles they are playing and hope to encourage others to become volunteers in our community."

The statewide winner of the "Indiana Leaders of Tomorrow" program was Kyle Gough of Westview High School in Topeka. A panel of judges selected Gough as the winner from more than 250 nominations submitted from across the state.

More than 3,000 students from across the state were nominated for the award.