Every year in the past 49 years we have sat down and taken the time to honor and share stories from our local matches from the past 12 months. Our Bigs of the Year are chosen by a panel of judges in our local community. We know this is not an easy task and it can take several hours and even days to come up with each nominees score. The judges scoring criteria is as follows

  • Match Duration
  • Number of previous matches
  • Background of youth
  • Match achievements
  • Other involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Cooperation with Match Support
  • Overall view of Match

We proudly present to you the 2021 Bigs of Year Awards

2021 Real Men Read Award Recipient

The Real Men Read program is a unique opportunity for men to be a positive male role model for 2nd and 3rd grade students by making visits to the classroom throughout the school year to read a book and engage the students’ interest in reading. The winner of the 2021 Real Men Read Award is Bill Smith.

Bill is an active volunteer and has been reading since 2009. He currently reads at 2 schools: FWCS – Indian Village & Lincoln. His dedication to his classroom and to the Real Men Read program is inspirational. He has been reading for almost 12 years and continually goes above & beyond for the kids in his classroom.

“He really went beyond what they were reading to create an exciting relationship with the students. It’s obvious that Bill loves the kids, and they love him. He makes sure all questions are answered, and he shares lots of back ground knowledge and personal experiences with the kids, so they can make connections to the stories.”

Bill has impacted hundreds of students through his long-term involvement in the Real Men Read Program, empowering youth to reach their potential in the classroom and in life.

Congratulations Bill!

2021 School Buddy of the Year Recipient

The School Buddy program is where the volunteer and Little meet once weekly and can work on homework, read, play games, and just have fun during the Little’s lunch and recess time at school. The winner of the School Buddy of the Year Award is Misha Thomas.

Big Sister Misha is from Allen County and has been matches with her Little Sister Shaelynn since 2018. Misha started with Big Brothers Big Sisters after hearing of volunteer opportunities while she was attending the Gourmet Dinner. She was matched with Little Sister Shaelynn in the School Buddy program in November 2018. They have been together for approximately 2½ years.

As their match matured, they started working on math problems, though Little Sister Shaelynn said her favorite thing about school was playing games with her Lunch Buddy. Big Sister Misha is proactive and wants to see the best for every child she meets. She continually asks Shaelynn’s teacher for guidance on which subjects she needs help on most so they can spend time talking about those subjects and tutor when needed.

Today, Little Sister Shaelynn is doing well academically. They now spend their lunch time eating, talking, playing games and relationship building. When the pandemic suspended in school learning and in person meetings, the two were unable to visit each other. The very day the school reopened, Misha was there – games in hand, ready and eager to pick up where they had left off, becoming an invaluable connection, sharing her happiness and joy once again with her Little Sis. Shaelynn was all smiles as life felt like it would be going back to normal. Since then, they have resumed their friendship as if there was no pause. The future looks very bright for this match.

Congratulations, Misha!

2021 Big Couple of the Year Recipient

Big Couple matches connect Littles with a Big Brother and Big Sister pair. Together, the Big Couple encourage their Little and walk with them through whatever they face – challenges, celebrations, and everything in between. The 2021 winner of the Big Couple of the Year Award is Brian Ternet and Kim Carpenter.

Brian Ternet & Kim Carpenter are from Allen County and have been matched with Little Brother Dylan since 2018. Kim began volunteering with BBBS in April 2009. When Big Brother Brian also began volunteering in February 2018, the two decided to be a Big Couple. In May 2018, they were matched with Little Brother Dylan and have remained matched for the last four years.

Since their first outing, Big Brother Brian, Big Sister Kim, and Little Brother Dylan have gotten along incredibly well. Shy at first, Dylan began opening up to the Big Couple as they spent consistent time together through activities like cooking, going out to eat, hanging at the Big Couple’s house, or attending a variety of events.

“I love Brian and Kim! They are just matched perfectly! I love them!” In more detail, Dylan’s mother describes the growth she has seen in Dylan, saying “Brian and Kim have been such a positive influence on Dylan. They are so patient with him and he is so comfortable with them. They’ve helped him grow up a lot. He’s much more mature when he talks to other people. He speaks differently, much more confidently and formally.”

Through this friendship, Brian and Kim have created opportunities to have discussions about academic success, transitioning into high school, and even about Dylan’s future intentions. Dylan takes their advice to heart and sees value in their friendship.  

Congratulations Brian and Kim!!

2021 Big Sister of the Year Recipient

Big Sisters are part of our Community Based program where they meet with their Little in the local community for a variety of activities. During these outings, filled with conversations, Big Sisters help children manage the everyday challenges that are part of growing up and build relationships that can last a life-time. The winner of the 2021 Big Sister of the Year Award is Wanda Tiltges.

Big Sister Wanda Tiltges is from Kosciusko County and has been matched with Little Sister Zandra since 2015. Since the start of their Match, Big Sister Wanda and Little Sister Zandra meet consistently. Wanda travels frequently and is sure to maintain contact with Zandra via phone calls during those times when they are not able to meet in person.

The match has enjoyed many of the same activities and bonded over meals, art and crafts. Throughout their get-togethers, Big Sister Wanda has always aimed to be very intentional in teaching Zandra lessons on politeness, manners, budgeting, and finance. Today, Zandra  is the  most polite and courteous young woman who can engage in conversations.

The true accomplishment of the Match is the deep and devoted bond between Big Sister Wanda and Little Sister Zandra. They have remained constant friends through very difficult situations in Zandra’s home life.

Wanda described their relationship saying, “We enjoy being together, like many of the same things, and have fun together.”

Little Sister Zandra feels very similar. She said that Wanda “is someone I can talk to and trust and someone who believes in me and listens to me while I talk – no matter what I say. Wanda understands me – and I didn’t expect that. I thought she would just take me places and help me out in life, but Wanda is like the big sister I never had.”

Congratulations Wanda!

2021 Big Brother of the Year Recipient

Our final category is “Big Brother of the Year”. Big Brothers are also part of our Community Based program where they meet with their Little in the local community for a variety of activities. During these outings, filled with conversations, Big Brothers help children manage the everyday challenges that are part of growing up and build relationships that can last a life-time. The winner of the 2021 Big Brother of the Year Award is Terry Milton.

Big Brother Terry is from Kosciusko County. In July 2015, Terry signed up to be a big brother, wanting to help in some way. In August 2015, he was matched up with Little Brother Carson. These two have been matched for over 5.5 years.

As Carson and Terry first began meeting together in the Community Based program, they quickly discovered their shared love of sports. Before long, watching Sunday football games together became their routine activity. And yes, both had the same favorite team, the Green Bay Packers. Little Brother Carson remained shy and reserved at first. Terry gave him space to open up in his own time, focusing on having fun together and bonding over their shared interests.

As he has grown over the years, Carson has continued to love and play sports – football, baseball, basketball, track and field, rugby, and swimming (to name a few). Terry supported these passions, coming to watch Carson play whenever he could. Recently, the two have spent time together volunteering weekly at the local homeless shelter where Big Brother Terry has volunteered for nine years. Through these visits, Carson has learned many life lessons from people sharing their story with him. From these lessons and Terry’s encouragement, Little Brother Carson has begun thinking towards his future, setting goals, and taking the first steps towards making his dreams a reality.

Since their first outing, Big Brother Terry has done a phenomenal job consistently supporting Carson. Despite Carson’s increased busyness and changing sport schedules, the pair continued to meet three times a month, often more, the entire duration of their match. The impact of this consistency shows in the strength of their bond.

According to Carson, “Terry is more of a father figure. He helped me when my mom passed away and he’s my family. His home feels like a second home to me.”

Carson’s Grandmother has raved about the match for years often saying, “I’m just so very pleased with the match! Terry is a wonderful role model and I’m so glad Carson has him in his life.”

Congratulations Terry!

To see our past Bigs of the Year check out our websitehttps://www.bbbsnei.org/bigs-of-the-year/

Check out the whole video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6dERRYHMC4