Last Friday following the high school Mass, a special presentation took place as senior Kendra Smithbauer was presented with the 2018 Kreckel Enterprises, Inc. “Student of the Year” Award. Kendra received this honor in recognition of her dedication to her school, her church and Catholic faith, and her community. It was presented by Kreckel Enterprises owner and president Vern Kreckel III in memory of his father Lavern G. Kreckel Jr., ECCHS Class of 1963, who passed away in August. Several employees of Kreckel Enterprises were also on-hand to help present the award.

Along with the Kreckel family, Kendra is a fellow member of St. Mary’s Church where she is an altar server and a choir member. At Elk County Catholic, she is involvedĀ in the marching band, the Yearbook Club as well as many other activities. She was named the 2017 Homecoming Queen and the St. Marys Rotary Club “Student of the Month” for October.

As the 2018 Student of the Year, Kendra received a certificate of recognition, an unlimited-use letter of recommendation, a personalized Kreckel Enterprises t-shirt, a tour of the company facility to be held in the spring of 2018, a St. Joseph medal blessed by Fr. Peter Augustine Pierjok, O.S.B., a Walmart gift card, and several framed pictures.

What an honor for this very-deserving student! Congratulations, Kendra!

Pictured with Kendra are Vern Kreckel III; Mary Kreckel, wife of Lavern Kreckel Jr. and Kreckel Enterprises secretary/treasurer; and Kendra’s parents Julie Smithbauer and Jim Smithbauer.