Warsaw Community High School

Amanda Waddle

April 23, 2025

WARSAW, IN – The 60th annual Tri Kappa Honor Reception and awards ceremony was held on April 17, 2025, at Warsaw Community High School Performing Arts Center. The annual reception recognized the outstanding scholastic achievement of the WCHS graduating seniors in the class of 2025. Over 400 guests attended, including 167 students who were honored.

The evening began with the welcome by Troy Akers, Warsaw Community High School principal. An introduction of Tri Kappa history and mission was then shared by Chapter president Kristine Alderfer. Troy Akers introduced the guest speaker, Mr. Ben Higgins, from WCHS class of 2008. Ben is an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is co-founder of Generous Coffee and author of the book Alone in Plain Sight. He is well known for his role as The Bachelor, Season 20. Ben gave an inspiring message to the students about living a life of generosity as the basis of everything they do by caring for others and looking for the outsider.

The Tri Kappa Honor Reception kicked off the beginning of graduation season for the class of 2025. The Warsaw Community High School seniors were awarded certificates and were recognized with honor cords which signified their academic standing including summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude.

WCHS also named the Tri Alpha Award recipients to 26 outstanding students. This award honors students for their academic achievement, for contributing to the overall climate of the school based on their involvement and attitude, their eagerness to learn and by enriching the lives of fellow students and faculty.

The 2025 Tri Alpha Award recipients include: Finley Bailey, Aliah Barkey, Yessenia Benitez, Natalie Boley, Benjamin Booren, Lucas Bricker, Lillian Chaney, Braylie Chastain, Kylah Cook, Whitney Dawson, Avery Friedberg, London Hoffman, Isaac Ioane, Parker Justice, Kameron Kauffman, Cole Koontz, Mackenzie Langhorn, Ella Laput, Reed Nelson, Jerica Nier, Rick Orr, Annabel Parker, Lucy Ray, Eleanor Schenk, Drew Sullivan, and Eliana Tranparenti.

A reception was provided by Tri Kappa and included Generous Coffee and desserts from The Cake Lady.

About Tri Kappa: Tri Kappa is a philanthropic women’s organization dedicated to promoting charity, culture and education in the state of Indiana. The Alpha Lambda local chapter is honored to serve the community in countless ways for 115-year history. In 2025 Tri Kappa will award $20,500 in local scholarships to graduating seniors and college students. Tri Kappa will host the annual Elementary Art Show on May 3. Tri Kappa women actively served in the Habitat for Humanity Women Build event. Additionally, Tri Kappa participated in Riley Radio Days, the Pink Out event, helped with community Holiday Food Boxes and Madison School Shoe and Boot Drive. Tri Kappa has supported United Way, Senior Services, CASA, BYC, Joe’s Kids, Fellowship Missions and Junior Achievement. Tri Kappa also supports Riley Children’s Hospital and Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts. These efforts are made possible by Tri Kappa active members and associates and the generous Warsaw community who support the fundraising efforts including the popular Tri Kappa Bingo, Trivia Event and spring flower sale.

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Photo Provided: 2025 Tri Alpha Award recipients

Photo Provided (left to right) Tri Kappa members: Ana Manwaring, Mallika Klingaman, Elizabeth Wise, Kristine Alderfer (Chapter President) Megan Stone & Beth Bolinger (Event Chairs) Carson Gould (WCHS senior) Troy Akers (principal) Abbey Peterson (WCHS senior) Ben Higgins (speaker), Tim Devlin (WCHS Senior class principal)