Written by Max Willis
June 10th, Albert's Diamond Jewelers had their annual Region's Most Improved Students Awards, an event where they reward one boy and one girl each from 30 Northwest Indiana schools with an award and a free Fossil watch.
The hard-working 60 children are recognized for being the most improved students at their respective past school year.
The store was a bustling with welcoming employees, proud parents, and excited children. There was music playing with announcement of each Most Improved Student, and free mini cupcake bar provided by the Designer Desserts shop for the winners and their families.
One of the lucky kids, Ava, who along with being the most improved girl from her school is also a local celebrity. Ava has been a child model for American Girl magazine. What was the secret to her success?
"I just tried my best always," she explained.
Joshua Halpern, President of Albert's Diamond Jewelers, was very excited moving around the store meeting all the award winners and their families. His father, Fred Halpern, started this event 35 years ago.
His [Fred Halpern's] thought was, I want to recognize these kids. They've been working hard all year, and they deserve a reward," he explained.
Christine Martinez, the Marketing Coordinator and Social Media Specialist at Albert's, was taking photos of the winners with their award and new watch. Martinez has been helping put this event together for three years.
"They are the future of our community," explained Martinez. "We appreciate their hard work and dedication."
Addison, a 4th grader and one of the winners, said that the key to her success was the work she did with autistic classmates in her school.
She explained, "The teachers noticed me more, and so they gave me more stuff to do."
While Albert's was awarding these children inside the store, they also had a bus from the American Red Cross in their parking lot for the community to come and donate blood. Albert's has had the Red Cross come to their location quarterly to collect blood donations.
"The reason we have them come out is because people need blood," said Halpern. "We're just doing our part, and getting our clients and friends out to do their part."
All 60 children and their families had a wonderful time and many family members made their way over to donate to the Red Cross to pass gratitude forward to the community.
Click here to read the article on Valpolife.com.
