Speaker named for R.K. Thompson event

VW independent/submitted information

The Thompson family and Van Wert Service Club announce that Brad Hurtig will be the speaker for this year’s R.K Thompson Self-Reliance Awards banquet.

Hurtig grew up as a typical student ­athlete in a small town in Ohio, but only days after finishing his sophomore year of high school, a devastating accident resulted in the amputation of both his hands.  Through hard work and determination, Hurtig soon rejoined his high school football team, and, in his senior year, Hurtig led his team in tackles and received all-­state honors, all while playing with no hands.

Hurtig’s inspirational story has been featured in the national news media, including ESPN and The New York Times. Now Hurtig is taking his life-changing message to schools across the nation.

This year’s awards banquet will be held Tuesday, April 28.  The R.K. Thompson Self-Reliance Award Program was initiated 45 years ago by R.K. Thompson Jr. in honor of his father, the late R.K. Thompson Sr. Both men worked closely with young people and encouraged them to set high, but attainable goals and then apply themselves to obtain those goals.

The program provides cash awards for high school seniors in Van Wert County who best exhibit that character trait. The Self-Reliance Award is designed to seek out and honor seniors who “do the best with what they have,” whether they are scholars, athletes, student leaders or someone who must work t to help their family meet expenses.

The R.K. Thompson Self-Reliance Award is sponsored by the Thompson Family Trust, through the Van Wert County Foundation, and administered by the Van Wert Service Club.