Leadership La Porte County honored its Adult Class participants at a recent luncheon held at the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City. For the 40^th year, a group of La Porte County citizens have spent the past 9 months engaging in leadership skill-building, gaining information about La Porte County, and networking with local leaders. “The annual graduation celebrates and recognizes the leadership class as they prepare to use their knowledge to make a positive change in the community,” explains Monica Komasinski, Executive Director of Leadership La Porte County. “This year’s class, our largest in our history, was a diverse group of enthusiastic and caring individuals who are dedicated to giving back to their community.”

Retired Purdue Extension Director, Hugh Tonagel, was presented the 2024 Robert J Hiler Outstanding Alumni Award at the event. He was a member of the 2^nd class of Leadership La Porte County in 1985 and was a key part of the development of Leadership’s High School program in the 90’s, His longtime friend, Carl Savich, helped with the presentation, noting Hugh’s humble servant leadership style and his achievements in community development.

Hugh was a 16-year employee of Purdue University as an Extension Educator in 4-H/Youth Development where he oversaw the administration of LaPorte County’s 4-H program involving upwards of 1400 youth on an annual basis who participated in various “learning by doing” projects. Administering LaPorte County’s 4-H program, also entailed the recruitment and management of 300+ adult volunteers to help youth participate in 4-H. In 2001 Hugh became the County Extension Director for the LaPorte County office overseeing budget and twelve office staff for the department. As CED he worked with county officials to see the culmination of the new Extension Office built in 2014 at its current site.

Hugh is a CASA or Court Appointed Special Advocate for Family Advocates, and a former Elder and youth Sunday school teacher (along with his wife) at Agape Christian Church. He has been President of the Kingsbury Cemetery Association the past 8 years and has assisted Kesling Middle School boys’ basketball in a number of coaching roles over the past 5 years.

Following the award presentation, the luncheon program concluded with the formal recognition of the 40^th class members for completing the program, which included monthly sessions on a variety of community leadership topics. Outgoing Board President Carrie Campbell, Incoming President Terry Greetham, and Vice President Jenn Wozniak distributed commemorative plaques to each graduate. Monica Komasinski challenged class members to stay connected to each other, to follow their passions, and to continue giving back to the community. Jenna Conklin, Ashley Kosowski, Greg Coulter, Denice Shipp-Glenn, Caitlyn Kalisik, and Lindsey Doperalski received top honors for outstanding extra-curricular activity. The Leadership La Porte County Board of Directors selected two class members, Lindsey Doperalski and Caitlyn Kalisik, to join the board of directors. The 40^th class presented Executive Director & Class Facilitator, Monica Komasinski, with several gifts. They also produced a commemorative video highlighting their class experience and clips of class members sharing their leadership take aways. The video can be viewed on the Leadership La Porte County Facebook page.

Leadership La Porte County’s mission is to inspire, develop, cultivate, and connect emerging and existing leaders to serve their diverse communities. Leadership La Porte County is committed to providing a forum for the development of community leaders, with programs for adults and youth. For more information on Leadership La Porte County, or to nominate an individual for the 41^st Adult Program beginning in September, contact Leadership La Porte County at 325-8223, visit: https://leadershiplaportecounty.com/apply/ or email: info@leadershiplaportecounty.com.