By Nick Hartmann

Two Westerville City Schools students are this year’s Fouse Award winners for their activities that best represent the ideals of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Eighth grader Moses Vasquez and fourth grader Katerini Soisson received the awards at the 5th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Celebration in January. The awards were presented by Otterbein College President Kathy Krendl.
In its third year of existence, the Fouse Award is named after William H. Fouse, the first African-American graduate of Westerville Public Schools and later of Otterbein College. Previously only a single prize, the Fouse Award has now expanded to two separate categories – a primary school division and a secondary school division.

Awards are distributed based on a nomination basis, which is handed to the award committee by a principal or home school leader who believes their student represents King’s ideals.

Laura Ehninger, energy manager for the Westerville City Schools, says the MLK breakfast has undergone changes in its five years of existence.

“We wanted to be more than just an annual breakfast, we wanted there to be more action,” Ehninger says.
Since its inception, the event has gone from a mere organizational program with no recognition awards to what Ehninger describes as an “evolved” program that recognizes action within the community. The event also awards the Alston Award to a community member who best exemplifies King’s ideals.

Soisson, a student at Mark Twain Elementary School, was recognized for her outstanding fundraising strategies and contributions toward the less fortunate.

While sight-seeing with her family in New York City, Soisson couldn’t help but notice the struggling residents around her. She later set up an educational reading program in which all donated proceeds go toward charities in New York. More recently, she established “Children Helping Children,” a daycare-like program where preschoolers are invited into Soisson’s house to participate in projects, giving their parents time off, which was especially useful during the holidays.

Dr. Scott Ebbrecht, principal of Mark Twain Elementary, nominated Soisson for the award.

“There are many students I could have nominated, but unfortunately only one can receive the award. Katerini stood out for what she does in our community,” Ebbrecht said in his nomination letter. “Anytime we can recognize kids making a difference, we should afford that opportunity.”

Soisson says she feels honored to have won the award.

“Martin Luther King, Jr.'s teachings, to me, mean that he was trying to stand up for people to be treated the same,” she says. “I make sure I treat others the way I want to be treated.”

Soisson’s parents, Maria and Duane Soisson, were delighted that their daughter’s efforts have been identified by the district.

“It is nice to have her actions recognized by the principal of Mark Twain. She is a very compassionate and thoughtful young lady who is always thinking of how she can help others in our community,” they said via e-mail.

Walnut Springs Middle School’s Vasquez was presented the award for his lead-by-example acts of selflessness and respect in and around his school.

Jane Elliot, Vasquez’s teacher at Walnut Springs, nominated him for the 2010 award. She cited several instances during which Vasquez demonstrated King’s courage to better the lives of those around him, including picking up after everyone else at the end of class, translating English for a new student, helping younger students with their lockers and attending to a pregnant teacher’s needs without request.

“Moses Vasquez is a great candidate for the award. He ‘Steps Toward the Dream’ and has demonstrated that he is from the MLK mold,” wrote Elliot in her nomination letter to the MLK Fouse Award Committee. “Moses respects and accepts differences in others. (He) takes action when he sees an injustice.”

Both Soisson and Vasquez received a $100 savings bond donated by Heartland Bank in Westerville, along with an engraved trophy.

Nick Hartmann is a contributing writer for Westerville Magazine.